Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-27
ECHOES, OF BAR
MEETING Held
TURDAY
Judge Moncure Addresses
Meeting After Report
is Submitted
REPORT ADOPTED 2O-1
Committee Of Seven Given Rising
Vote of Thanks and is Discharged
Resolutions Presented.

After the special committee OF
seven that investigated the divorce
situation here had submitted its re-
port to the Alexandria Bar Assocla-
ton Saturday afternoon at meet
ing held in the corporation court
room presided over by James Il.
Cation, Judge Robinson Moncure
addressed the members Of the bar.
Judge Moncure declared that he
would temper his opinions with rea-
sonable mercy as long as he was on
the bench. Continuing he said: Il
never anticipated being on the bench
long, but do not intend to be driven
from it. I do think the agitation has
resulted in good. don't propose to
ask the governor to designate an
other Judge to come here and sum-
mon a grand jury, and | don't pro-
pose to have this grand jury of hon
est citizens turned DOWN.
The Judge also told the bar asso-
citation that when they come to him
with rules if he did not adopt them
he would have been criticized. Some
of the members of the bar he said
are trying to tear down the rules.
The judge asserted that he would
not stulify himself by turning down
the rules, adding that if there was
any serious case he would have it
heard in open court.
The report of the special commit
tee of seven attorneys who for the
past two months investigated the
divorce situation here was adopted
by vote of 20 to |. Chairman II.
w Smith stated he was glad to say
the report was unanimous and he
then read the report.
Attorney H. Noel Garner express
sed his views regarding certain
events in connection with the in
vestigation and he added he thought
the divorce laws ample and sufiic-
lent.
Judge L. c. Barley addressing the
association said that the supplement
tai report filed by himself and C
Keith Carlin they desired received
and filed
J. Randall Cation stated that he
desired his report adopted. After
debate on the question in which a
number of those present participated
the motion to adopt the report was
defeated by a vote Of IA to II and
this report simply was received and
filed the same as that of Messrs.
Barley and Carlin was by a vote of
IS to 6.
On motion Of Attorney Garner
rising vote of thanks was rendered
the committee of seven that made
the investigation for their painstak-
ing efforts
Robert Thomas offered motion
providing that the rules now in op-
Grafton in the corporation court in
divorce cases providing among other
things that a guardian ad Item be
named by the court in all divorce
cases be suspended.
Howard W. Smith stated that to do
this would mean that the members
of the bar did not desire to eliminate
the divorce evil and would throw the
bars wide open. The measure TO
rescind the rules along this line was
defeated bv a vote of 13 to y.
All OF the reports were ordered
turned over to Commonwealth'S At
torney Howard ". Smith to be sub
mitted to the grand jury in its inves-
tlgatlon.
A resolution Of Attorney Garner
that the members of the bar asso-
citation reconsider its previous in
dorsement of Judge Moncure. This
measure was defeated.
A resolution of J. Randall Cation
in which the attorney condemned
the soliciting Of business as unpro-
fessiona and unethical and not ius
titled under any circumstances was
adopted. On motion of H. W Smith
the association decided to meet with
III the next thirty days for the pur-
pose of adopting rules.