Page:Address as the ABA president.pdf/3



This fresh and beautiful morning inaugurates the Eighth Annual Reunion of the American Bar Association.

Its members—old and young—come to-day from distant and diverse sections of the American republic, as brethren of a common profession, to consult and take counsel how they can best advance the science of enlightened jurisprudence; promote the administration of justice; establish uniformity of legislation in the states; preserve judicial purity and independence; expand professional erudition; uphold the honor of the American Bar; and encourage cordial intercourse among the members of our brotherhood abroad and at home.

I rejoice to welcome you, one and all, to this present re-assembling of yourselves together!

There is joy in your coming! I give you thanks for the interest which your very presence here evinces. Every heart is glad, every face seems bright upon another occurrence of this professional communion! I bid you thrice welcome!

The eighth article of the Constitution of our Association prescribes the topic of my address. It ordains that your President shall communicate the noteworthy changes in the statute law on points of general interest made by the several states and by Congress during the past year. Besides the American Congress, we have thirty-eight states and six organized territories. With but few exceptions all these state and territorial legislatures meet annually in regular or adjourned session. (3)