The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-07-10
INFLUENCE OF TIE BAR
How This Influence May be Increased
For Good.
ADDRESS OF WELCOME BYJ. II. MARTIN
A Motion Made to Publish Presidents Busbse's
Speech in Pamphlet Form Prevails.
Hon. Francis T. Nichols De-
hyers an Address,
Especial to News and Obscrver)

Asheville n. c., July 9.-The fourth
annual meeting of the State Bar Asso-
citation was called to order this morning
at II o'clock in the ball room of the
Battery Park Hotel by Chairman Fl. A.
London, of the Executive committee. The
address of welcome was delivered by ].
Harry Martin. In his opening remarks
Mr.. Martin paid high tribute to Presi-
dent Busbee. lie then extended a most
cordial welcome to the association.
The response was delivered by Hon. E.
F. Aydlett, of Elizabeth City. President
Busbee's annual address came next. He
spoke as follows:
PRESIDENTS BUSBEE'S ADDRESS.
Gentlemen of tne North Carolina Bar
Association:
Il congratulate you upon the assem-
bling OF the fourth annual session of our
association. We have had a year of
peace and comparative prosperity within
the borders of the State and our people
are constantly going forward in all mat
ters affecting the p7@.~e good Especially
TO De noted is the rapid progress we are
making in commercial and Industrial ac-
tivity and in the vital matter of popu-
lar educa tion.
In all affairs that concern the public
the bar of the State has always shown
keen and continuing interest. No popu-
lar movement for progress or reform or
defence ever put in motion in North
Carolina has been without the leader
ship of lawyers, in whatever field of ac-
tivity such movement may have been
generated. From the beginning of our
existence as a State, in every phase of
public progress, the bar has had a sha-
ping hand, and this has been and is right
ly so, for the bar of the State in its
collective strength constitutes the most
capable, the most influential, the most
patriotic and the most conservative force
in the commonwealth.
There are two causes that initiate
against the just and larger influence of
the bar. One is, the lack at certain
times OF concerted and united effort; the
other the failure or the negligence of the
bar in the matter of keeping it's ranks
purged of unworthy members. Let me
say word as to these two points.
ITO declare the need OF united effort
in the prosecution of any object is to ut
ter a truism. Our profession, like all
other professions and all other occupa-
tfons, has had and still has it's strength
constantly dissipated by the lack of CO.
operative e&ertion. This association has
demonstrated the truth of the potency
of combined endeavor in the few wear.
of its existence BY it's united effort
two needed reforms have been brought
about in North Carolina, in matters af-
fecting the >public generally and the bar
primarily: the increase of Judicial dis
tricts of the State to the number of six
teen and the consequent speedier and
more satisfactory settlement of LEGAL
controversies among our people, and the
change in the rules of the Supreme court
so that now a two-year course of study
fand a strict and sufficient written ex-
animation are required of persons be-
fore they are licensed to practice law.
These reforms have been brought about
by the action of this association. 1t
shows that whenever we originate an.
matter OF reform and press it with unan-
unity it will prevail.
THE existence of this association is
predicated upon the need of the bar OF
North Carolina for organization and con-
centration of influence. It's very eXis-
tcnce affirms the pregnant fact that only
by the concentration Of their strength
can the lawyers of North Carolina oc-
cupy and hold that position Of supreme
and commanding influence which is theirs
of right l say, of right, because from
the beginning their influence has always
been given to the maintenance of consti-
tutional government and personal lib
erty, TO progress and yet conservatism in
all matters affecting the welfare of the
State and the due administration of it's
laws It has never yet come to pass in
North Carolina that any measure of pub
lie concern, supported and advocated by
united bar, has failed of success in the
end. 1t is to be lamented that every
member of the Bar in North Carolina is
not a member of this association. that
local associations do not everywhere eX-
ist. and that the Bar does not stand
solid in respect to membership in this
association. and therefore undivided and
impregnable. In all the various condi-
tions CT life in this country, commercial.
professional and industrial, our history
shows the need and the value OF Just and
lawful associations,i both for progress
and sfor defence Our profession, like all
other professions and all other occupa-
tions. will always find incalculable pow