New-York tribune., 1911-01-21
NEW COMMITMENT PLAN
State Bar Association Discusses
One for Criminal Insane.
HIGHER STANDARD FAVORED
Convention Closes with Banquet
at Which Riddell, Andrews,
Wickersham and Day Speak,

Syracuse, Jan. 2o.-With Justice william
r. Riddell, of the Kings Bench, Toronto;
Charles Andrews, former Chief Judge OF
the Court Of Appeals; Attorney General
George w. Wickersham and Chancellor
James f. Day of Syracuse University as
the speakers, the annual banquet of the
New York state Bar Association was held
here tonight.
United states Senator Elihu Root pre-
sided IS toas tina ster and he faced a gath
ering representative Of the bench and bar
of New York State.
Justice Rlddeli spoke in favor Of srhitra~
ton for the settlement OF disputes between
nations. He advocated immediate and sx-
tensiye expansion Of the courts Of interna-
tional arbiYation, He expressed the be-
lief that the recent speech Of President
Taft, IN which the President declared that
ell internatio disputes shoald BE- referred
to court Of srbitratiep, regardless Of the
nature of the quarrel marked new epoch
in world history
The report Of the special committee on
the commitment and discharge ef the Grim
lnal insane, submitted this afternoon,
aroused considerable discussion. The com
mittee tells of the scandals due 10 sham
pleas Of insanity and es remedy offers the
followitg 20 take the o!seA OF Section 20 Of
the penal law.
u upon the trial ef any person accused
Of any. offence II appears 10 the Jury upon
the evidence that such person did the ect
charged. but was at the time insane. so as
Jury shall return a special verdict. guilty,
but insane and thereupon the court shall
sentence such person 10 confinement in 2
state asylum for the criminal insane for
such tenn as he would have had 70 serve
IN prison but for the finding OF insanity;
and i upon the expiration Of such term II
shall appear 10 the court that such person
is sill insane, his confinement in SUCH
asylum shall continue during his insanity,
and further. when such verdict Of guilty,
but insane il returned in ca sc where the
sane person is death, such sentence for the
insane person thus found guilty shall be
for life, and In al such cases the GpYernor
shall have the power OF pardon after such
the question whethcy il will be safe to the
public to allow such person 70 go ct large
The report VIII be circulated broadcast
throughout the state fer the pyTPose Of
.reusi,s public opinion.
The association adopted resolutions ask
ms the Court OF Appeals 70 ar!end The
rules as 10 the sdrais.ion Of candidates 10
the bar so as 10 raise the standard Of edu-
cation and character. that the profession
may be placed upon the high plane 70 which
II Justly belongs
John Breoks Leavtt, in discussing the
report OF abusss Of th4 contingent ree, said
that the committee had bssp met With ip-
cretuitty, apathy agQ hostility. and stated
,het ere profession generally was not
awake "a ths nseds ef regulation. "Thiz
is aat h!ghbrcE movement" he dsslared.
Hs fefsFysd ts lawyers WHO s!s osSigDstSd
as "arnbulanee ehassrs," aaq 9sslaEsa that
collection COMPANIES and title insurance
qonlpanjss were eating INTO the legirmate
practics Of the law Unless we bestir our
selves" =. declared, the only way law
yers will have to get practice "ill be 80
!spE Z eaTroratioB."
AdQIah ] RedsEssGh at R9shsstfT, laase
Of the Court of Claims, reed q pspzr on
"Ihs Reform Of the Procedure in the Courts
Of the state Of New York" in which he rec
onanendet that changes be MADE IN me
procedure 81 TIE esur,s ef ~. state