The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-20
LAWYERS BEGAN ANNUAL
 MEETING AT THE CAPITOL
Speech of President Cooper
 aSplendid Effort.
Morning and Afternoon Sessions Were Held and Attorneys Listen eed to Notable, Papers-wil1 Met Today at Jack
 sons Lake.

Edward M. Shepard. leader of the bal and perhaps the most distinguished pri vate citizens of Greater New York. de lvered a notable address yesterday before the Alabama State Bar Association ir the hall of the House of Representatives
 MT. Shepard's pre-eminence as lawyer his ability and integrity and his un- questioned courage in his convictions have made him a national figure of the first importance and placed him among the Presidential possibilities. In the Demo- cratic party to whose principles he has given unswerving loyalty and which he has defended with conspicuous ability. a strong element has turned to the great Democratic lawyer as fit man for nomi- nation to the highest office in tine Ameri- can Government. As a private citizen his utterances on public questions have commanded the attention of his country men, arousing at the same time an ad. miration for his ability and his courage
 A Significant Speech.
 Standing among the strong men in the first ranks of the Democratic party his utteranceS on questions of public policy yesterday in the heart of the Demo- cratical sond South had. an added in' terest and significance. While Mir Shepard had as his subject, The Promise of Isthmian Canal" he did not avoid passing upon public questions which were interwoven with construction of the canal These questions were discussed with char acteristic frankness and courage. Or pending governmental policies MT. Shep- ard had clear cut convictions, which were presented to his auditors in masteriS array of logic, clothed in strong expres' sivs English.
 They met the instant approval Of his Southern audience. A feeling Of hall curiosity as the orator began gave way to approval and endorsement. His hearers, a number of whom were ladies gave Mir Shepard the deepeat and uiosi thoughtful attention. They hung upon Rts words and the tense silence in the crowded hall was broken again and again with the cordial applause of endorsement He made no effort to play upon the emo- tions of his hearers. His address was d direct appeal to the mind, but the en- thusiasm rose spontaneously as he out lined his high and statesnanlike views upon the race question.
 Met by Judge Thomas.
 The address of MT. Shepard was deliv- cred in the historic hall Of the House oi Representatives where the Alabama state Ear Association had assembled In its twenty-seventh annual meeting. MT Shepard reached the city at l0:55 o'clock He was met at the depot by Judge w H. Thomas, whose guest he Is during his visit to Montgomery. They were drlven to Judge Thomass residence on Perry Street. where Mir. Shepard enjoyed luncheon and a short rest.
 The members of the Bar Association meanwhile worked through their morning uroCram. At its conclusion an informa Tecess was taken for a few minutes tc await the arrival of Mir. Shepard.
 A few minutes after IF o'clock burst of applause in the hall announced MT Shepard's arrival. Accompanied by Judge W. H. Thomas. he made his way through fhe crowd to the speakers stand where he was presented to President Lawrence Cooper of the Bar Association.
 Introduced by MT. Cooper.
 Tn introducing MT. Shepard to the large audience MT. Cooper said:
 "We are singularly delighted in the uresence here of a distinguished citizen oi Greater New York. We are honored by the presence of Edward M. Shepard"
 The applause broke out afresh and il was some time before the distinguished ED6akeT ~--- thanks the crowd with keen interest looked upon the leader whose high prin' ciples and lofty views on public policies were no less high than his signal ability
 MT. Shepard is physically of light but not weak build. He Is rather below thar above middle height and is noticeably slender. There is, however, no sugges- +ion of weakness ir his physical build TJA has a strong, if slender frame, best described. perhaps. by the word wiry. His dress was neatly simple. frock coat reitber alaringly new or foppish, wrapped his slight but vigorous frame lie wore a low standing collar with faring ends and dark blue tie in bow knot The onIv touch of color to his dress was a gold chain that ran the width or his vest
 Has a Strong Face.
 1tr sbenard's face is long without g line ar sign of weakness. It approaches ths angular with a large, well shaped nose strong jaws and chin of firmness The nose is of the Roman type, indicative ~ strength and masterfulness. A close Iv cropped moustache, dark. but no' hIack. failed to conceal the lines or g Tnouth of strength. His eyes are dark and brilliant, but not large. hls 1oreheao Ss high and precipitous with well de- anad curves. His dark hair is brushed .,eT down over the left side of the dome S,,,s head and forehead. The head Is not ahly high, deep and we'll developed above the ears. a sure indication, this IS sac to he. of a highly developed intelectual' ity. A,,. .,,uh4,,
 Mir. shepard's dark hair is but slightly +onched with silver. He looks much S,ornrer than his 49 years. stranger would hazard that his age was nearer 4C than 50. ,,.,..,-- s..,. .rn In appearance he would be picked Cor one of Southern birth and ancestry His dark hair and complexion is partly -esnonsible for this illusion It is height aned bv the tense. almost nervous strength that shows in his countenance.
 The resemblance ceases there. however The New Yorker is evidenced in his quick hut clear enunciation. Mir. Shepard snesking voice is neither oratund nor ora toric. It Is clear and bell-like. nearer the tenor than the bass. His voice was never raised in Reclamation or in striving after effect It was easily modulafed and car ried easily to the farthest recesses of the hall A close observer would have no