Weekly journal-miner., 1909-01-13

il, Bar Association has become n fixed | event, or strictly speaking movable feas,. never has there been an occasion | when equalled that given on Thurs. day night. It was n gathering that entered into the affair with zest and | joyous spirit and was marked by d good fellowship in sharp contrast with the attitude that lawyers display when .parring with each other in the halls of justice. In sucn good spirits did everyone feel at the close of the speech. making that vote of thanks wa. rendered to Harry Harter, the ca. tercr as well as to the president. And IIartcr deserved the tribute for he put up menu that was a dream and ii was accompanied by all the extras that give the finishing touch to n well arranged prandial program.
 The festal board was Illuminated by constellation of some thirty legal Hgnts and a small galaxy of laymen who were the special guests of the oc. casion. With the tables arranged in ,hc shape of n T, President John Ma. son Ross occupied a commanding DO. stiou at the center of the cross bar, and ever and anon as his eye swept over the array of brainy brows, wise and otherwise, he experienced sueces. Nve thrills of pride at being their host, and the only shadow that min gled with the sunshine was the recur ring thought of what the bill might Le-not bill of exceptions, but n bin of particulars expressed in round figures. The local press has had occa- s.on heretofore to advert to the grace ful ability of MT. Ross as n toastmast- CT, and this time he made. new re. cord for himself. With wellturned phrase and polished rhetoric he intro duced each speaker and deftly sug- gcsted the things he might say should his thoughts run amuck, and at times these predatory remarks were suifused with a hemorrhage of wit.
 But with all the fun and the frolc inc badger and the banter, there were many sensible things said and done and it is only the serious side that will be recorded. The association en dorsed the suggestions of Probate Judge Hicks for some changes in tho probate laws, and appointed n commit fee to examine the statutes and collat' those which are contradictory or m consistent, with the view of havinl tac legislature cure the defects. WILL such an influential body as the North orn Arizona Bar Association backing the proposed measures, there Is littl doubt but thnt the legislature wll chcerfully make the needed reforms
 After the coffee and Havanas ha' heen served, President Ross aros and delivered his valedictory It wa proper. he said, that banquet shoul lc given each year, and also that ta president should pay for it. He b' lievcd that as q result of these gathe' ng2. the bar of Prescott was more an unit and that better feeling pr vailed among its members, than Una of any other city in the territory ln was due 10 getting together anu g' ting acquainted once year It Pf' noted friendship and respect for eac other, and his observation was th' greater degree of fidelity and hol csty is required of lawyer than any other profession. As to the op' ion of the bar of the bench, he cane upon Reese NJ. Ling to respond 70 U toast, "The Court, " with an underl ing theme based on the quotation
 day in thy court is better than
 thousand.n
 In replying MT. Ling humorous remarked that he would rather ha' tle thousand than the day m cou. Bovcrting to the main subject DC c'ared that the coyrt knows no la and then explained this by stain that the judge is theoretically not 'o posed to know the law but to pass on the law as it is presented 10 h' by opposing counsel. This bar
 considered as eminently fortunate
 the selection of n judge who IS l' yer, and more fortunate than any o' cr district in the territory in the P
 session of Hon. Richard E. sIo"h
 man who combines all the feqm
 ments that constitute an ideal ludl The fact, said he, that we aaye go judge, shows that we have a gooa p
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