Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-08-21
Most Important Subjects Than
Ever 10 Be Considered
By Lawyers
Attorneys Over the State Are
Urged to Become
Members
49, (bs~-s ~
Executive Committee Sets Out
What Association Is
Accomplishing

1lClu a. OoAACoIO"A VIA oCPuSC"AbSA =
and 4. Reports and recommends
tons Of committees of the associa
ton and a program for the meeting
are being sent to all members and
the bar generally. From these 1t will
be apparent that matters Of grea'
Importance to the profession, and tt
the people generally, are to be con
sidered and acted upon. In the pro
ceedings of this meeting every mem
Der should take a part, or at least
an interest. The pamphlets are SEM
out to enable the membership to con
| slider for themselves, and beforehand,
what they want to do and say con
corning the proposed reforms.
The bar Of the United States IL
awakening, and in most states great
activity is shown by the local associa'
ton. A peculiar sentiment for the
strengthening of such associations IL
growing, and Is finding expression In
the law, and other journals Of the
country.
Every member of the Bar, what.
ever may be his views on any of the
issues now interesting the profession,
should be enrolled as a member OF
his state and national Bar associa'
ton. Indeed, we are not convinced
but what it should be considered as
derogating from a lawyers ethical
standing in the profession to refuse,
without reason, to contribute his in
fuence to the common cause. This
is the definite position recently tax
en- by the San Francisco Bar asso-
citation on the ground that a men,
Der of the bar who will not lend any
assistance toward raising the stand.
ards Of professional conduct o in
enforcing the Canons of Ethics pres.
cribed by the profession is not worthy
to take the same rank Professionally
with one who makes the requisite
sacrifice that he may pay this debt
of honor which every lawyer owes to
his profession" Central Law Jour
nal, May II, 1922
THE more earnest and public.spir-
tied members of the legal profession
have probably had the keenest recog-
milton of the great benefits that
might come from organization, and
have been most active in the exist
ing bodies. We agree with the senti.
ment that it should be considered
derogatory to a lawyers standing in
the profession for him to refuse,
without exceptional reason, to contri-
butte his influence to the common
cause, and that every member of the
Bar in good standing should enroll
himself in his state and national bar
association" (The Green Bag, June,
1922
The purpose for which this Asso-
citation was organized and exists are
set forth in its constitution, thus:
'Frst-To maintain the highest
standard in the profession.
Second-To promote professional
fellowship.
Third-To aid in securing good gov.
eminent.
Fourth-To keep inviolate the pres.
ent high standard Of the Judiciary"
No member of the Bar hesitates
for a moment to indorse that declar'
alton of purposes. So long as any
lawyer in this state neglects to en-
roll himself as a member Of this as
ISOLATION, and to aid in giving effect
to those principles and purposes,
just so long he remains a debtor ia
the state which has bestowed upon
officer Of her courts. II it be true
that this association has not hereto
him the rights and privileges Of an
fore accomplished as much as II
ought, it is true only because mem
bers Of the profession have failed tc
ally themselves with 1t, and to dis
charge their debts Of honor to thu
profession and the state by helping
to secure and maintain those things
for which the association was Great
ed. III
This letter Is an appeal to ever.
lawyer in the state to answer to him
self these questions: Is there an!
sufficient reason why I could not giv'
my support to an organization tina
exists for the express purpose Of ben
citing my own profession ant
through it the clients for whom
act? Is there any sufficient reason
why ! should not devote ONE small
portion of my time to conference will
the other lawyers of the state witt
a view to securing the adoption 0
laws that will make cleaner ant
straighter the highways OF Justice?
The association has been unjustl!
accused Of undue activity, at times
in political matters. Those accuse
tons come usually from those Wit
are personally more deeply interest
ed in securing or holding office thar
In the orderly administration Of jus
tice. The association il pledged, b!
it's constitution, to guard the judic
larry; and IL It signifies its approve
or disapproval Of any candidate fol
.Adicia ofice-basing its action solely
on the qualifications OF that candt