Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-02-01


had been introduced In the Legislature of
that fall. but no agreement was had.
The bill subsequently failed to pass.
Public sentiment was not united upon
what could safely and properly be done.
'"rrlal by jury Of ones peers was. and 's,
considered one Of the fundamental right
but the faith Of the people in the
character and intelligence of the men
selected for jurors was being shaken. I
will not occupy your time with fun
consideration Of all OF the points involved.
You know most Of them. The time has
come when a rigorous reform must he
instituted or the confidence of tho people
in the judicial character of the Jury sys-
tenn Will cease. a more certain and stable
basis for our system of justice must lie
obtained; and 1t is Just here that the
usefulness of law associations like our
own becomes apparent. Our meetings
offer the best opportunities for fair and
intelligent discussion: and in the end their
combined opinions must and will have
weight In the community. Nothing is
settled that Is not rightly settled" Is \
well known maxim. Results which large
~ depend upon chance alone, are not
popular with the public. The science I
legal practice should not rest upon an I'M
certain foundation. Good faith Of bench
and bar must command popular respect.
Nerdicts should proceed from a body un-
prejudiced and responsible. capable of
weighing the evidence presented, and
independent in reaching their conclusions.
Thus only can Justice be administered.
g. The third subiect-that OF the promo.
nf fell bip
hers and the cultivation of a better pro-
fcssional Spirits not only q constit,l-
tiona provisions; but they tend to the elc-
walton of our profession. 1t must be re-
membered that our organization is not
that of a club. II is to hold meetings for
our mutual benefit Similar organizations
have previously. and at present dc cx-
list in this State and generally with most
desirable results.
| Not long ago I was reading l.. +. Chit.
| tenden's interesting "Reminiscences" II
which he speakes of an organization OF
| the Addison county bar in his young
ei days. IN describing one Of theil
meetings ne said: 1T would be better
| for everybody. the court. the bar, tn,
public If such meetings were more com
mon. Nowhere have l met" says he, "a
| local bar where there was less Jealousy
and envy. more OF hearty good will ant
desire to assist each other. than amoni
those who annually sat at our table II
Addison county" And so II can and vii
be with us If we would hold our meeting.
more frequently. and each member b,
willing to contribute something OF inter
est and profit to those who at
-,
to offer a suggestion at this tim,
| would call attention to that provision /,
our constitution. which provides that tn,
governing board may appoint sub-com
mittees from their number. that they ap
point one to lay out a program of exer
cises for at least five monthly gathering.
| during the year, SO that the member!
will have time to prepare papers upor
some of the many subjects which can b'
| suggested as of interest to us all, eacl
| to he followed by general discussion
and then. three or four times a year, have
a simple banquet at which we ma,
| gather and relate our experiences, hu
morous and otherwise tell our stories
and enjoy a hearty laugh, even II W.
have to hold both our sides" Then i
| each does his part to carry out the oh
| iects of our association, venture to sa,
that we will become better lawyers. bet
ter friends. better men.
| AS to what has already been accom-
plshed by this association doubt
whether more has been done by any sim
! liar organization in this state
Recognizing these facts, let us do wha
We can and should to make our county
bar association help to the bench. thu
bar and the public.