The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-28
LET LAW GOVERN
NOT MANS VOICE
Justice Lurton DEGREES Ten
dency of Age to Depart
From Statutes
USE DIRECT MEANS
IF CHANGE NEEDED
Ringing Appeal for the hecogni-
ton Of The Power of the Govern
ment-Judge Christian
Made President.

tSpreia, to The Richmond Virginiah)
HOT SPRINGS, VA, July 28.~--
Justice Horace G. Lurton. the guest
of the Virginia and Maryland State
Bar a sspgfation, delivered the joint
annual address at this mornings final
session Of the convention In progress
at Homestead Hotel. His address was
an answer TO the question. Shall it
be Il gov erument OF law or OF raen ,"
Justice Lurton was escorted % the
platform by MIR. Eppa Hunton, OF
RICHMOND. and Mr. William Shcp-
paTd Bryan, of Baltimore. represent
ing the two associations, He was well
coined by the presidents OF The Joint
association and President r Walton
Moore Of the Virginia association, In
trodueed the distinguished speaker TO
the convention.
Prior to Justice Lurton's address a
short business session % the Virginia
Association was held. Mr. James r.
Cation. Of Alexandria, made a motion,
the passing Of which called for g
vote of thanks to Mr. Alfred P, Thorn
for his efforts looking to the appoint
ment Of FEDERAL Judge in the Fed
eral circuit fer Virginia.
e.
a resolution expressing the apprecia
tiqn Of the presence OF the Mary
land State Bar Association upon the
occasion OF their own meeting. we
are all brothers." he said. Not only
by reason OF the continuity Of tradi~
lions. but by reason of our State line
and profession"
President David G Mcintosh. Of
the Maryland association. responded
CD behalf Of his Maryland associates,
expressing his thanks for the hospi-
tally extended them by the Virginia
association.
Government of Men.
Justice Lurton in his address spolse
or the decay OF the respect for the
limitations imposed by our fuu6amen-
tai law and of the yearning for y gov
eminent OF men rather than gov
eminent OF laws. IF we nave out
grown" he said the institutions
which have made US the greatest peo-
pie of the earth. let us change them
by direct rather than by indirect
means If our constitution il too
rigid and the restraints upon the leg
isiattve power too great, let us amend
the constitution.
The theory that the law is only "A
HiSdEIS 10 dH emu rs II Altis OdA VINO IL
to alter. modify or annul constitu
tionally valid law? The executive
who has no function hut to execute
the law as he finds it? The Judge
who has no law-making power and
whose single duty is to apply the law
as he finds II to an existing case
Neither constitution nor statute
is 10 be treated by either the execu-
tive or the judiciary as IL it were
rose or wax to be twisted and mould
ed according TO the fancy of the oc-
ca-slon."
Judge Christian Presidents
President-Judge George l. Chris
tian. Of Richmond,
Vice Presidents-John r. Barbour.
of Fairfax; w. Fl. Taylor, Of Norfolk;
Joseph Stebhtns. Jr,, Of South Boston;
r. Gray Williams. of WINCHESTER, and
Norment Powell. of Bristol.
Secretary Treasurer-John p. Mi
nor, Of Richmond,
Executive Committee--A. r. Long.
Of Lynchburg. and Allen r. Eskridge,
Of Pulaski,
Messrs J. f. Bullitt. of Big Stone
Gap; William r. McIlwaine, Of Pc
Alexandria. We're elected delegates to
the convention Of the American Bar
Association.
The association adopted the code OF
ethics recently promulgated by the
American Bar Association, with the
exception OF the oath of admission.
which Is now arranged by State law.
This code regulates the conduct OF the
lawyer in his relation TO and his deal
.ngs with his clients.
The Virginians heard from their
members had been elected since the
last meeting.
1t is being fully demonstrated here
that lawyers know how to enjoy a
vacation and the many charming wo-
men at the Homestead are doing their
part to make this vacation one Of the
most delightful that the Maryland ana
Virginia disciples Of Blackstone have
ever had,
The joint session closes tonight
with a magnificent banquet, at which
Hon II. st. George Tucker will be
POSTMASTER.