The Washington herald., 1907-04-18
BENCH And BAR dine
Annual Banquet Given by
District Association.
WIT REPLACES LEGAL LORE
History and Growth of the Organ
izatiOn Outlined by President ".
+. sIattingiy-Justiees from the
Various Courts, Who Are the
Guests of Honor, Also Speak.

Members of the District Bar Association
to the number of about 80 gathered last
night about the banquet table at the New
Willard. 10 celebrate its annual feast.
which, with the shad bake in May. repre-
sent the two great occasions when the
lawyers lay aside business and come to-
gether as men TO enjoy the amenities Of
life Wit flowed freely. and bench and
bar knew no differences as they sat
shoulder to shoulder. laughed at the same
Jokes. ana chafed one another in good
natured raillery TO the small hours OF the
morning
Headed by the distinguished guests Of
the several courts of the jurisdiction the
members of the bar marched into the
banquet room IN the red psTlor Of the
hotel at SIS. The speech making began
at 1870 and ended at twenty monutes after
midnight. William r. Mattingly, presi-
dent Of the association. presided with dig
nifty. and added much to the good feeling
OF the occasion by his witty references
20 the several speakers as they were in
troduced
Mr.. Mattingly himself made a brief ad-
dress. giving a short history OF the or
ganization referring with feeling 10 some
Of the members OF the association who
have passed away. and telling the
younger lawyers present that they had "a
grave responsibility 20 bear in maintain
ing the traditions of their elders.
Originated by Richard 4. aierriek.
Mr.. Mattingly said the idea Of the
formation OF the bar association was
made by Richard r. Merrick IN a res
taurant, at the corner OF Louisiana ave
nue. and Sixth street. in ISL The nrst
meeting was held al The National Hotel
In May Of the same year. and from a
small beginning IL has grown to the
present large and Influential body The
association, ht said, was incorporated in
1874 one Of the chief objects attained
had been the law library. which now
numbers l5.040 volumes and is one of
the greatest conveniences TO the profes-
sion in existence.
Chief Justice Shepard. Of the District
Court of Appeals. was the first speaker.
His remarks were devoted 10 high
tribute 10 the profession. and "a reference
TO what he called the growing spirit Of
commercialism among lawyers He did
not blame them Tor making money or
growing rich. but he sounded a note Of
warning against the tendency 20 bellttle
the profession of the law in the interests
0f corporate greed.
Chief Justice Clabaugh. of the Supreme
Court Of the District. followed in "a pleas
ant speech, in which he compimented the
lawyers OF the District upon their great
learning In the law, and the valuable
assistance they gave the bench In the
way OF instruction, pointing out the way
70 just conclusions in the wise and able
preparation OF cases
History OF Court Of Claims.
Chief Justice Peelle. OF the Court OF
Claims, gave an extended history Of thar
court. tracing its work briefly from its
origin in 1854 to the present time, and
showing some Of the difficulties with
which this peculiar tribunal mas 10 deal
Mr. Justice Harlan. of the Supreme
Court OF the United States. made one Of
his characteristic speeches, in the course
OF which he gently ridiculed everything
connected with the profession and the
occasion. INTERPRETING some serious re-
marks upon the fundamental principles on
which the government was planted. which
he thought the acme Of wisdom In politi-
cal rule
He hoped the three-fold idea of the gov
arnment would not be lost sight of. Ia
which The legislative executive, and ju-
diciai. each independent Of the others.
worked tremendously To common end in
the best government under the sun.
Henry T. Davis, af q la1e hour. rose 10
speak on the profession as oXemnIined in
The lawyers OF the District His address
was of necessity brief. but it 0ristled with
telling points, with wiz and good feeling.
He spoke OF the ideals of the lawyer
claiming that they were Of necessity as
5igh as those Of the clergy and the medi-
sal profession, and declared that il was
The law which held the fabric of society
-egether. He said that the highest respon- (
8ibility rested upon the lawyer as the pur-
Feyor of the public good.
Guests of Honor.
The guests of honor included:
Tie justices Of the Supreme Court Of Che United
States
The Justices of The Collrt of Appeals
The Justices q thc supreme Court Of the District
q Columbia
The Justices 0f the Court n Claims
Col james q. Payne, Hir. John Il Young AIr 4
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