Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 20.pdf/640

 THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS gates to our meetings, but the relationship thus established is purely formal, of a social character, and has, so far as I know, resulted in nothing appreciable. It is a weakness in our organization that the attendance at the meetings, and upon the sessions, is voluntary upon the part of individual members, and that no sense of obligation or responsibility to others is imposed. On more than one occasion important questions, which would commit the Association on grave matters of doubt ful constitutionality, have been brought forward at periods when only a small number of those attending upon the meet ing were present. It would seem that prudence would suggest an adequate safe guard against committing the Association, representing as it does, actually a large number of lawyers of America and in the minds of the public generally the American bar, except upon a more representative vote. If the general idea here suggested shall be regarded as worthy of consideration it would be well to investigate the system adopted by the American Medical Associa tion. It has established direct relations with state associations, which are repre. sented by elected delegates, the number being based upon the ratio of membership in the state societies. This is the govern ing body. It deals with all of the larger and general problems. The number being limited to 150, opportunity is afforded for full debate without the necessity for tabling propositions under consideration. This sys tem prevents the states near the place of meeting from exercising a controlling influ ence. The body is thoroughly representa tive of all the states. Special work of the Association is done in sections. A member of a state association is not ipso facto a member of the national association. He becomes a member by individual connection. All members of the association are free to attend upon the meetings. The scientific work is divided up and disposed of by sec tions. Through this organization the Asso

489

ciation is in constant and personal relations not only with each state society, but with every member thereof. The result is that it wields a power in the profession, and over the profession, in enforcing a standard of ethics, and in bringing about the enact ment of laws promotive of public health, that is incomparably greater than that exercised by it when its organization was somewhat similar to ours. With annual dues of $5.00 it has been able to bear, on account of its large membership, not only the ordinary expenses of the Association, but to employ a secretary who devotes his entire time to the work, and publish a journal which is unrivaled in the medical world. The state societies have, under the influence of the national association, taken on new activity, responsibility and dignity. The general plan of the American Medical Association has substantially' the same objects in view that we have. It has been thus expressed : "The three objects of paramount impor tance to be accomplished by medical organi zation are: a, the promotion of direct per sonal and social intercourse between physicians, by which mutual respect, per sonal friendship and unity of sentiment are greatly promoted; 6, the more rapid increase and diffusion of medical knowledge, scien tific and practical; and, c, the developing, unifying, concentrating and giving efficient practical expression of the sentiments, wishes and policy of the profession, con cerning its educational, legal and sanitary welfare and the relations of the latter to the community as a whole." The results obtained through its change of organization are so satisfactory to its members that they merit at least a careful consideration on our part. If the American Bar Asociation can have at least one officer devoting his entire time to its work and promoting its interests, and establish a law journal worthy of its great prestige, who can doubt that its influence will be vastly increased and that its great purposes