The Washington herald., 1908-01-26

New York. Jan. 25.-At dinner of the
New York State Bar Association. at the
Waldorf-Astoria this evening, ex-Ambss-
sador Joseph II. Ch0ate made a pointed
attack upon President Roosevelt de-
manding that the Chief Executive should
either name the eminent malefactors
whom he denounces, or else stop denounc-
ing them.
Mr. Choate also declared that the tend
ency 10 confuse the functions Of the
executive. judicial, and legislative de-
parments Of the government must be
checked. These parts Of the speech were
enthusiastically cheered by the lawyers
present, among whom We're many OF the
most eminent judges and practitioners.
Gov. Hughes and James Bryce, the
British Ambassador 10 the United States.
also mate speeches. The governor avoid
ed the subject OF politics, but made
ringing plea for less special legislation.
and for a greater measure Of self-gov-
ernment for local communities.
I lie got a very warm reception, and
when Mr. Choate, in introducing him.
made intimations regarding his Presi-
! Dental candidacy, there was big up
roar.
Denies Corrupt Methods.
Mr. Choate, in the remarks that he
aimed at the President had this TO say:
Il have heard and read a lot about emf
nent lawyers that are supposed to have
/ been sitting up burning the midnight cleo
/ trlcity inventing devious methods where
by their clients may resort 20 corrupt
ways and still remain inside the Revised
Statutes, I don't believe it. If there are
any such lawyers, don't know who they
are But I judge from what I have read
that the President OF the United States
knows who they are. and if he does I here
and now call him TO narle them. and /
viii see that their cases are presented u
our committee on grievances for investi-
cation and determination.
And If the President doesn't know
their names ] demand that he shall not
say any such things again"
state Rights Need Guarding.
Later Mr. Choate said, "Oyer and
above the duties that We owe to our
clients. there are two things TO which we,
as lawyers. are absolutely bound. no mat
ter whether il brings down upon us the
I condemnation OF the people, the press
and the President. The first Of these is
to see that at all hazards the balance be
tween the State and the nation shall be
preserved as it was settled and fixed by
the founders Of this republic.
THE other is TO see to it that there IS
no confusion OF mutual invasion Of the
three governmental departments-execu
tive. legislative. and judicial Now. gen
tlemen, I have stated my platform, and
7 hope it's broad enough 70 let YOU all
, in
Would Amend Laws.
William d. Guthrie. iii his paper upon
"The eleventh article of amendment to
) the Constitution of the United States"
which he read before the Bar Associa-
tion. took to task the laxity in the con-
stitutional law of the country which does
not permit an individual or a corpora
tion 10 sue a State or an officer of a
state 70 restrain the enforcement of an
3 unconstitutional statute regulating the
business of that individual or corpora
ton
The speaker cited the fact that while
the Federal employers liability act, re-
Gently declared unconstitutional by the
Supreme Court. was under the advise
ment Of that court. President Roosevelt.
= in his jamestown speech, criticised the
y railroads for having contested the validity
Of THE statute. "The idea" he said lad
o. Ivanced in many quarters and under many
disguises. seems to be that corporations
should be 0utlawed unless they consent
to abandon their rights 10 appeal 10 the
q courts for protection against unconstltu-
iuonal statutes and void and oppressive
enactments.'
The election Of president and mem-
bers of committees for the ensuing year
was held before tile annual meeting Of
1.-The association closed. Francis Lynde
Stetson was elected president with the
following vice presidents: Paul Fuller,
> William c. de Witt. Lewis +. Carr, Ed
ward C.AVhitmyer William Nottingham,
Theodore r Tuthill, john NJ. Davy, Dan
e ieI ]. Kenefick and Frank b. L0wn.
, Buffalo was selected as the city where
the next annual meeting of the associa-
ton will be held.