The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-09
ASKS ASSISTANCE
OF ATTORNEYS
PRESIDENT LEE COMBS or THE
STATE BAR ASSN. WANTS THE
COOPERATION or ALL STATES
LAWYERS IN BUILDING UP A.
STRONG ASSOCIATION.

Sec. w. III. Thomas OF the Nor+l
Dakota Bar association or North Da.
kota asks that the following Iette,
sent by Pres Lee Combs to ali at.
torneys Of the state, be published II
The Forum. He believes that il con.
tains suggestions which are interest.
ing not alone to attorneys but to All
the citizens OF North Dakota.
The letter follows:
"All Of you doubtless know thai
there Is a well organized and very
prosperous bar association In this
state. 1t began its work about ten
years ago, and has steadily grown
from three or four in number until il
now has membership of over two
hundred and is still growing. 1t mere
tofore has taken an interest in the
welfare OF the members of the legal
profession and evinced a disposition to
see to it that only men of competency
and fitness were elevated to the dis
trict and supreme court Benches OF the
state. In all likelihood it will con-
tinue to watch over and offer its ad-
vice In the matter of selection Of
judges from time to time in the flu
ture.
Besides this, it is by organic law
authorized to exercise a circumspec-
ton over the members Of the legal
profession in the state, and because of
its influence and high standing with
the legislative assembly and supreme
court of this state 1t now enjoys the
right to voice in the matter of the
admission Of candidates for the prac-
tice Of law in the state and the discip-
lining by disbarment or otherwise Of
the members Of the legal profession
within its jurisdiction. These are Inn
portant features Of the work, and a
careful and upright discharge of the
duties incident to their enjoyment is
Of the greatest Importance to the legal
profession of the state. We cannot
however, obtain the best results in the
field Of our activity without the as
sistance and support of the members
of the bar within the state. Every
lawyer within our jurisdiction ought
to be member of this association. He
owes that duty to the profession,
and would unquestionably enjoy ample
compensation for discharging it by
reason OF the benefits to be obtained
from membership with us.
There are about eight hundred
lawyers in the state of North Dakota.
and the names of all Of them should
be on the roster of our association.
We have a regularly employed and
paid secretary and treasurer to at
tend to the work Of those offices. and
let me add that he is very faithful
and efficient officer in the discharge
of his duties. The records of the as
ISOLATION, including the proceedings OF
each annual meeting, are carefully
kept, printed, bound and published so
that whatever work is ACCOMPLISHED
by the association remains perma-
nently with us for the benefit and etli
fication of all interested.
1T is also cardinal principle of the
association that It's members shall
make such suggestions as they may
have, and which they believe embody
either practice or principal, which,
IL adopted, would be calculated to ad-
vance the lawyer and his profession.
Il am glad to say that Judging from
our experience In the past, these sug-
gestions, when offered have always
received the most patient and earnest
attention by the association at its an
nual meetings, and many of them have
ripened into either rules of the as
sociation or laws OF our state.
Gentlemen, you should remember
that in the hands Of the lawyers rest
the systematic and scientific prepar-
alton and enactment of wholesome
laws for the regulation of the rights
OF persons and property, and that UNI
less we take an interest in the franz
ing and adoption of statutes to be en-
acted by our general assembly we lose.
not only for the people generally but
also for ourselves, the great benefit to
be had and enjoyed from we'll
draughted, well -considered and legal
ly enacted legislation. To exercise
this influence and to obtain these ben
efits, we must act in unison. we can
not accomplish great things by acting
In the prev Ees, and there
is no other or better = cans OF united
action than that offered through the |
state bar association.
I'VE need your assistance Can you
not find It convenient and advisable to |
join us without delay? The member
ship fee is merely nominal, and there
is no red tape connected with the
method of becoming member. The
secretary, W. HI. Thomas, Leeds, N.
d., will furnish blanks and information
on request. We observe the state bar
OF sister states rapidly
assuming positions OF confidence. in
fluence and power in their respective
jurisdictions. In the last five years
they have nearly all doubled in mem
The reason for 1t is appar-
ent. The welfare of the profession,
as well as the best interests OF the |
people require that the trained. con-
sentative student Of law should take
a greater interest and part in the |
making and administration of our
laws TO do this necessitates concen-
trated effort as well as united action.
and 1t liz only through well organ
lied and cheerfully supported bar as
ISOLATION that we can do the good ex-
pected OF us in these particulars. We.
therefore. respectfully invite you to
send your application for membership
In the association to the secretary
without delay, so that you may take
part in the proceedings or the next
annual convention to me held at Bis
marck on Sept. I and Q. 1910.
Yours respectfully,