The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-04-02

The members or the Knode lsland bai
association assembled at the Eloise, last
evening. and the spring meeting from
point of attendance and enthusiasm was
one OF the most successful in the history
OF the organization.
Decided announcement was shown over
the prospects OF adoption at the Novem-
ber election OF the act In amendment OF
article IL OF the constitution relating to
the state judiciary.
There was no business meeting preced-
ing the excellent dinner which was served
by Caterer Vogel.
Judges Douglas and Dubois were num-
bered among the guests.
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
After dinner President Francis Colwell
called the association TO order and re-
lated the work OF the committee in further
ance OF the desired amendment.
He spoke as follows;
PRESIDENT CoLwELL's REMARKS.
President Colwell spoke as follows:
Gentlemen OF the Rhode Island Bar asso-
citation: III will be remembered by you
all that at the annual meeting of the as
ISOLATION held in December last. a con-
siderable discussion was had upon an i'm
portant proposed amendment 10 the con-
stitution OF our state with reference to
our present judicial system.
We then had with us Hon. Simeon f.
Baldwin OF Connecticut, who gave us an
interesting address upon the functions Of
a supreme court The working of the
present system, established under the ju-
dicial act OF 1898. was ably presented and
discussed by Mr.. James Tillinghast and
others
That discussion resulted in the adop-
ton OF a motion, that further discussion
of the question OF constitutional amend
- 4AA ftr@e
OF the association. TO be held on the sec
ond Saturday OF December at the court
house.
feel that all present at this meeting
should be advised OF what has been done
by the association and it's committees
since our last meeting, leading up to the
concurrence of the house of representa-
tives today with the senate, in the pas
sage of resolution TO submit an amend
ment TO our constitution agreed upon be-
tween our association and the general
assembly. Having I'm my capacity, as
your officer. followed UP the action OF the
association and of its committees acting
in our behalf. regarding this important
matter, l will crave your indulgence
briefly TO inform you OF what has been
done 10 bring about the result thus far
attained.
FORM OF AMENDMENT.
At the adjourned meeting OF the asso-
citation the form OF an amendment which
might accomplish the ends in view, was
discussed quite fully and. without ar
irving at any conclusion IL was voted
that committee be appointed 10 draft a
resolution OF amendment and report TO
the association, and at that meeting IL
was also voted that IL agreeable to the
judges of the supreme court that our
committee should confer with them as to
framing q suitable form of amendment TO
ha tftttf 30 ha CatHtt fCI fn he
general assembly. That committee was
appointed by the president. consisting of
Mr.. Tilinghast, Mr. Bassett, Mr.. German,
Mr.. Barney and Mr.. Morgan
That committee had sundry meetings
and the judges of the supreme court
kindly Joined with the committee in their
conferences and discussions over form OF
amendment and finally reported 10 the as
ISOLATION a form of amendment such as
agreed upon, and regarded as desirable,
10 another meeting OF the association.
IL was resolved TO have such resolution
and amendment presented to the general
assembly, and the president appointed the
same committee for that purpose.
The resolution was presented in the
house of representatives and before the
committee OF special Legislation.
Mr.. Joseph p. Burlingame was chair
man of that committee. A public meeting
was held which was attended by all the
portant matter, In all it's bearings fully
presented and discussed by the members
Of our committee. It was quite a lengthy
and most interesting discussion This re-
suited I'm a unanimous recommendation
by the committee OF the house. and upon
the consideration by the house, was
unanimously adopted
l should observe here that Mr. Morgan
our secretary, who chanced TO be n men,
Der OF the house, most ably and clearly
presented the whole subject The resolu-
tion went 10 the senate for concurrence.
and was referred 10 the judiciary COM
mittee. That committee had several
meetings which were attended by all the
members OF our committee. There were
two lawyers on the judiciary committee
and the subject in all it's phases and
bearings was fully and elaborately con-
sidered.
AN OPINION ASKED.
AZ a certain stage Of these hearings an
opinion was asked OF our supreme court
upon point which Il was apprehended
by some. might have a controlling effect
upon the action OF the committee as 10
their recommendation. Upon the render
ing Of this opinion by the court the Judi
ciary committee granted another hearing
10 the committee Of our association. This
meeting was attended by all the members
OF our committee.
Upon further full discussion OF the
whole subject. including the bearing OF
the opinion OF the court. II was finally
voted by the committee 20 recommend
concurrence with the house with amend
ments such as all agreed Ia be proper
and which would In no manner ohstruct
what wns sought to bc attained by tho
amendment offered.
The judiciary committee reporfed
unanimously In favor Of the amendment
and upon clear. concise presentment OF
the subject by the able chairman OF that
committee. the resolution Of amendment
was unanimously passed. 7 would refer
70 the report of Mr. Freeman. printed an
the proceedings of the senate for an OK.
ceiiant statement Of the subject % the
amendment
As ] have raid. the house today con.
CURED with the senate. IN tho passage OF
the resolution az amended by tho senate
have statcJ thus. at some length this
action. IN order that the association may
a EuUrfrlrfn The fforotf~H fr~t.t....