Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1916-05-05
Address RUTLAND LAWYERS.

ADDRESS RUTLAND Law Emo
Judge Frank l., Fish and President
John NJ. Thomas were the speakers at
the meeting of the Rutland County Bar
Association, held at the Bardwell House
last evening, The presiding officer was
M. w, Weber. The association adopted
a complimentary resolution to Judge
Fish as follows;
Whereas the term of court now
drawing to a close has been notable
for a spirit of cooperation between
the court and counsel resulting in the
dispatch of business to an unusual
amount without the delays that have
sometimes characterized our practice,
Therefore, be il
Resolved, That the attorneys OF
this county take the opportunity OF
expressing to the court their apprecia-
tian of the courteous treatment eX-
tended to the bar and Of the satisfactory
manner in which the business Of the
term has been transacted"
Judge Fish in humorous vein told of
some of the older practitioners OF the
State bar, his talk being filled with
bright stories, many Of them being on
the lawyers.
Dr. Thomas said in part
"Middlebury college has always had
a special interest in the profession of
the law. Our first professor was de-
signated Professor of Law, Daniel
Chapman, appointed in 1906. He was
succeeded by the more distinguished
Nathaniel Chapman, who ectured on law
for nearly 40 years.
"We have sent to the bar of this
county some distinguished representa-
tions. There was Rollin c. Mallory OF
the class of 1905. Elected to Congress
in 1920, he served until his untimely
death in 1921. He was chairman of the
committee on manufactures and was
the author of the tariff Of 1920.
"A greater name is that Of Solomon
Foot, of the class of 1926, long the
leader of the bar of this county. Five
times representative of Rutland at
Montpelier, three times speaker. Uni
ted States senator for Is years preced-
ing his death, he was one of the men
who established the tradition of strength
and distinction as characteristic of Yer
mont public men.
II have great respect for the ethics
of your profession. The true lawyer
gives all that is in him to his client,
no matter what his fee. The law is
a notable training in straight thinking.
The lawyer is free from the clergy
mans temptation to vagueness and
superficiality. No profession makes
greater sacrifices in the public service.
There is no calling in which character
counts for more. Contrary to the pop
uar impression, it is not ceverness,
but honesty which brings the highest
rewards.
eve are coming to a new era in
American history. Old issues have dis
appeared, swallowed up in larger ones.
For the first time in a century foreign
relations are our first problem. The
question is no longer how to maintain
ourselves on the plumber of virgin
continent, but how we may hold our
own among the nations of the world.
1--WE must have bigger men, men of
larger mind, of stronger grip. Our
education has been superficial. The
requirements in your own profession
have been too low. America must
awake. More power and skill are need
ed for the tasks ahead. We have lived
by plumber, but we have come to the
end of the loot. A world in arms casts
envious eyes at cur treasures. Provi-
dence has no favolites among nations or
men. They win who are strong and
they hold who can. We must rouse
ourselves to larger manhood and train
our sons to be greater and stronger
than we.