Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-01-24
Seven Named to Probe Al
legged Divorce
Evil
H. w. SMITH CHAIRMAN
Resolution Adopted Gives Committee
Sweeping Power-Meeting Attend
ed by Twenty-siX members

The committee of seven named by
J. R. Cation chairman of the Alex
andria Bar Association at a meeting
of that association for the purpose
of probing the alleged divorce evil
in this city resigned yesterday after
noon at meeting of the Alexandria
Bar Association. Immediately there
after the Bar Association elected the
same committee and there is no
change in its personnel.
The members of tie. committee fol-
low: Judge J. ;. NJ. Nortsn Judge c. Z.
Nicol Howard w. Smith Gardner l..
Boothe Judge l.. C. Barley C. Keith
Carln and j. Randall Cation. The cleo
ton of the foregoing was unanimous
and the chair cast the ballot of the
association for them. Attending the
meeting were twenty-six members of
the association. James r. Cation pre-
sided.
For chairman of the committee F.
G.. Duvall placed in nomination How
ard w. Smith who was chairman of
the original committee and Judge j..
K. NJ. Norton, placed in nomination
Judge C. z. Nicol.
The question Of whether or not a
secret ballot should be taken precipi-
tated lengthy discussion and finally
it was determined to take an open
ballot and Mr.. Smith was elected
chairman over Judge Nicol by vote
of Is to 6.
Those voting for Mr.. Smith follow:
James r. Cation Judge L. c. Barley j.
Randall Cation, Gardner L. E5othe,
Chas. Henry Smith, C. Keith C3"iisI.
W. P. Woolls, F. G. Duvall, Carl i;u&-
wesky, Albert V. Bryan, Oscar !.
Thomas, George 3. Vest, Courtl.si
H. Davis, Ashby F.. Bladen, Freder. <
P. Russell, NJ. Carter Hall, r. '
Stump, Richard B. Washington.
Those for Judge Nicol were John
NJ. Johnson, Judge J. NJ. Norton,
Frank Stuart, Fl. Noel Garner, Char
les E. Corgan and Aylett B. Nicol.
Mr.. Smith and Judge Nicol did not
take part in the voting.
There was considerable controversy
over the powers of the committee and
finally resolution was offered by J.
Randall Cation which was adopted.
The resolution follows: "That the
committee appointed do investigate
the divorce evil in Alexandria in all
of its phases whether it pertains to
the court, lawyers practicing at the
bar of the city of Alexandria and
lawyers from outside who practice at
the bar and all persons in any way
connected with the divorce evil"
A resolution of Judge G. f. Nicol
which will be introduced in the state
legislature provides among other
things that any committee appointed
by the bar association of any county
or city in this state to investigate al
legged Irregularities or uneithical prac-
tlces on the part of any attorney prac-
tIclng in the courts of the state, or on
the part of any judicial officer of this
state authorizing the issuance of pa
pers to require the attendance of any
person to appear before the commit
tee to testify concerning the matter
OF such investigation.
1t also provides to compel the at
tendance of any witness and further
tnat the committee upon the compile
tion OF its investigation is authorized
TO report its conclusions to the bar
ASSOCIATION. This resolution will be re-
drafted by committee composed of
Judge {. r. Nicol Judge L. c. Barley,
Judge j. X. NJ. Norton. The commit
tee named for the probe of the all
legged divorce evil it is expected will
meet within the next few lays for the
purpose of starting its investigation
A collection was taken up Yesterday
afternoon to help defray the expenses
OF stenographer and other help.