has often occurred to me that if we had an active and energetic committee to do this much good would be accomplished, as I believe it is just as important to the success of an organization of this character to awaken a spirit of good fellowship among its members as to transact its other business.

The President:

The Chair would state that this year we appointed the local Association in St. Louis and in the State of Missouri as such reception committee. I do not know whether it has been possible for them to be much in evidence or not, because of the multiplicity of attractions and the press of business upon them here.

Adolph Sloman :

Presumably, the committee was appointed by the local Bar Association, and I have no doubt they attempted to do good work, but I believe such committee should be appointed from this body.

The President:

That was a committee from this body consisting of those members residing in this state.

Upon motion duly seconded, the proposed amendment was referred to the Executive Committee.

Sigmund Zeisler, of Illinois:

I desire to submit an amendment to our by-laws and then to move that it be referred to the Executive Committee for consideration and report at the next annual meeting.

Resolved, That the third paragraph of By-Law XII be amended so as to read as follows:

All committee reports shall, at least twenty days before the annual meeting of the Association, be transmitted to the Secretary, who shall have the same printed and distributed by mail to all the members of the Association at least ten days before the annual meeting. No legislation shall be recommended or approved except upon the report of a committee. The reading of reports at the annual meeting shall be dispensed with, unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee or called for by a vote of the meeting.

The resolution was seconded and the motion referring it to the Executive Committee was adopted.

Edward Q. Keasbey, of New Jersey:

I desire to bring in the same way before the Association the question whether it is the wish of the Association that the President's address shall continue to be occupied with a statement of the statutes passed during the year. I am aware that it is a matter of very great importance that this Association should have before it every year a statement of the development of the statute laws of the country. Very great good is done by having the Association examine this subject and by having the work done by some man of pronounced ability who is able to get at the spirit and meaning of the statutes and show the progress of legislation, but at the same time I think it prevents the Association from having the benefit of the original ideas of the man chosen as President on some subject which he wishes to discuss, and it has occurred to me that it might be well to give the President free foot on the topics of the day and at the same time have some responsible and able man appointed to do the other work. I would therefore make the suggestion that this matter be referred to the Executive Committee for its consideration in order to determine whether or not an amendment of the Constitution should be made in this regard.

James O. Crosby, of Iowa: I am opposed to that idea. Great honors are always accompanied by great responsibilities, and it is a very great honor to be President of the American Bar Association, and if this work is transferred to the hands of another it should be with a compensation commensurate at least with the labor to be performed, because there would be no honor attached to it.

Charles F. Manderson, of Nebraska :

If I may indulge in a little personal reminiscence on this subject, I will call the attention of my brethren to the fact that there was placed upon me for two consecutive years, the odd and the even numbered years, the duty as acting Presi

dent of making this compilation, showing the noteworthy changes in the laws, federal and state. I found it to be a most difficult task, taking much time, exhausting one's patience and a labor that ought to receive considerable compensation in honor. I agree with my friend that full compensation comes to the man who is honored by selection to the presidency of this Association for any amount of labor that may be entailed upon him. I think, perhaps, the most valued and most valuable part of the printed proceedings of the Association is the information concerning changes in the law contained in the addresses of the Presidents, and I do not believe that if you throw this burden upon a committee or upon any man other than the President of the Association that it will be so well performed. I am glad to note that Mr. Keasbey's proposition is not that we shall now amend the Constitution, but simply suggest this matter to the Executive Committee for its consideration and report. There is nothing in the Constitution that prevents, there is nothing in the Constitution that has ever prevented, any President of this Association from giving his views upon any subject. Sometimes, perhaps, Presidents have stepped a little outside of that which we considered strict professional duty and have given their views upon subjects that might just as well have been omitted; but, however that may be, the President in the preparation of his address can dilate upon any subject that is near his heart to the full extent of his desire, and when it comes to this mere formal matter of showing the changes that have been made in the laws, federal and state, it is very easy for him to ask the congressional privilege and print and not talk. I hope there will be no change made in the Constitution in this respect, for the printed matter showing the changes in statute law is of great value to the profession.

Fabius H. Busbee, of North Carolina:

I heartily concur in the remarks made by the gentleman from Nebraska. The labor, if thrown upon a single man, would be great, but I apprehend that the usual course which

has been taken will be taken hereafter. The President will request the members of the General Council, a committee of lawyers, one from each state, to aid him in noting the statutory changes that have been made in the respective states.

Robert D. Benedict, of New York:

I want to emphasize what has been said, that this is a proposition to strike out from our proceedings the most valuable thing in my opinion in its whole history. Whenever I have been asked by gentlemen who were not members of the Association what is the special object of being a member I have always pointed to this collection of the addresses of the Presidents containing this compilation as the most valuable source of information to be found anywhere for a lawyer who desires to keep posted in the progress of legislation. I am so much opposed to this proposition that I object to the proposition even being referred to the Executive Committee.

The President:

The Association will permit me a word, having just gone through this experience. I was fortunate in having a year in which not many of the states held legislative sessions, and I received such generous assistance from each member of the General Council that while it was labor, yet it was a pleasant task. Of course, as suggested by the gentleman from Nebraska, who for two years was President of this Association, the President can speak upon any topic that is near to his heart, but where this work is so done, that it is a valuable compendium, as I am sure you will believe when you see the printed address, only part of which I undertook to read, and which is largely the work of the members of the General Council, and, with the leave to print, with discretion upon the part of the President not to read it all, but to have it there for future reference, it appears to me that the old lines that have prevailed from the beginning ought to continue.

Henry II. Ingersoll, of Tennessee:

I rise to the point of order that it is not within the province of the Executive Committee to consider this matter.

The President:

The Chair would rule that the point of order of the gentleman is not well taken. We can refer this matter to the Executive Committee, but they will have to report back to us upon it. They can take no action which will in any way change the Constitution.

Joseph Wheless, of Missouri:

I move that the motion to refer this matter to the Executive Committee be laid on the table.

Charles S. Varian, of Utah:

I second that motion.

The motion to lay the resolution on the table was adopted. Edward Q. Keasbey, of New Jersey:

The Committee on Law Reporting and Digesting made a report yesterday just before the close of the session, and I am under the impression that no action was taken upon it at that time. If I am correct in so understanding, I move that the report be received, filed and printed.

The motion was seconded and adopted.

G. A. Finkelnburg, of Missouri:

Before this meeting adjourns I desire to make a suggestion either to the Executive Committee or to the officers of the Association with reference to the size of the hall in which we hold our annual meetings. It is a fact that when motions are made on the right of this hall we over here on the left are not able to understand what is going on. I have experienced this same difficulty at Saratoga, and at other places where we have met, and I think in the future we ought to endeavor to have a smaller hall which will conduce to the deliberative character of our proceedings.

The President:

The Executive Committee will bear the suggestion in mind. Henry L. Stone, of Kentucky:

Mr. President, I desire to offer the following resolution : Resolved, That the Secretary be and he is hereby authorized and directed to cause to be distributed to the members in