Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-16
ATTEND
LAWYERS FEAST
SUPREME COURT DIGNITARIES
ARE GUESTS OF HONOR
DISCUSS TECHNICALITIES AT BAR
ASSOCIATION BANQUET
Judge of Appellate Court Declares Re-
versals Are Necessary to Pro-
tect Defendants from Vic.
Iations of Law

Two hundred and fifty representa-
tives of the judicial interests OF Los
Angeles and invited guests attended
the sixteenth semi-annual banquet OF
the Los Angeles Bar association al
Levys cafe last night.
A feature of the event was the pres
ence of w. H. Beatty, chief justice OF
the supreme court of California, and a
number of associate justices. The three
recently appointed judges of the SUI
perior court and judges of the appel
late court were also guests of honor.
A spirit of good fellowship pervaded
the gathering, which was informal,
and the speakers were frequently inter-
rupted by applause.
Seated at separate table at the
head of the dining hall were the guests
of honor-W. H. Beatty, chief justice of
the supreme court; Lucien Shaw, Hon.
F. NJ. Angellotti, Hon. NJ. C. Sloss, Henry
A. Melvin, all associate justices of the
supreme court; w. R. Harvey, George
r. Davis and Leon F. Moss, new judges
of the superior court; F. r. Willis,
Walter BordWell c. d. Wilbur, F. w.
Hauser M P. Conrey, superior court
judges; Hon. Frank M. Short of Fres-
no; Lynn Helm, president of the Los
Angeles Bar association; w. j. Trask,
vice president; Oscar A. Trippet, junior
vice president; Hon. Victor Shaw of the
appellate court; Judge Wheaton Gray.
William c. Bowen and John w. Mitch
ell.
Honesty Is Necessity of Lawyers
After an excellent dinner, President
Helm addressed the members, telling
briefly of the purpose of the association,
and emphasizing the fact that honesty
is one of the essential helps and is nee
essary to the success of members of
the bench. He introduced Judge Mel
vim as POSTMASTER of the occasion.
Judge Melvin gave a brief but witty
address, brimful of live sayings, and he
related few stories applicable to men,
bers of the bar. He said that in view
of the old proverb, "brevity is the soul
of w.t." he intended to become a Verit-
able human epigram in carrying out
the idea as POSTMASTER.
Judge Angellotti spoke on 'Techni-
calities," with reference to their effect
in the administration of the criminal
law in the appellate courts.
The address, which was read by Judge
Angellotti, was a learned treatise on the
points brought up in legal strife by
technicalities, for the purpose, gener-
ally, of defeating the ends of justice.
The speaker defended the action and
record of the appellate court of Cali
fornia, saying that this court had up
held the Jurisdiction of the criminal
courts in large majority of cases.
Violations Cause ReVersaIs
plain violation of the law, prejudi-
cial to the defendant, is one of the
chief reasons why the appellate court
has to reverse decisions" said Judge
AngellotH "Criticism by the press and
public is at times unjust, but 1 do not
think from any malicious intent, but
cir 0t11xr 4
themselves familiar with cases in
question and are swayed by public
sentiment. Present laws are laws of
government, and the members of the
bench are subject to those same laws
as well as the layman. So-called tech
nicalities, when boiled down and stud
led out, as rule prove to be clear
and concise violation of some law or
right of the defendant provided for in
the constitution of the United States
Hon. Mr.. Short addressed the gather
ing on the subject, THE Bar and It's
Critics" Mr. Short contended that
criticism of law and judges was per-
fectly proper, wholesome and benefl-
cial
but" said the speaker, 1.-THE bar
has been subject to much unnecessary
criticism of late, but when we consid-
err that critics existed since the crea-
ton of all things and will continue I'M
til the end of all time we should strive
to overcome it, The big man of brains
has plenty to take up his mind but the
little fellow with shallow mind must
do something, hence we have critics.
Great Men Criticised
1.-THE history of the world from the
time of Napoleon until the present day
show that all great men were severely
criticised during their lifetime. But