Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 23.pdf/181

 The Editor's Bag to be organized, and results to be col lated from all sources, passed upon by some competent authority which speaks for the whole legal profession, and urged upon legislative bodies by some appro

157

THE BUTLER OF THE MIDDLE TEMPLE W. DARLING, chief butler of the

0 Middle Temple, who has been pre sented by the Benchers with a check and rosebowl on the completion of ﬁfty

priate agency which voices the senti ment of a united bar. It is diﬂicult to see how such an organization can be

years’ service, has described some of

perfected, and here, truly, is a problem worthy of the ability of the most master

the duties of his picturesque oﬁice. For the past twenty-ﬁve years, since he was

ful efficiency engineer. In England this reform, like other legal reforms, has been brought about readily because there is only one jurisdiction, and

there has been full opportunity for con

promoted to the chief butlership, he

alone of all the servants has had the privilege of remaining in the Benchers’ dining hall at speech-time. “It is very necessary that the utmost privacy should prevail.” Robing the Benchers is another of Mr. Darling's duties, and he himself

centration and uniﬁcation of effort. In the United States, we have a multitude of jurisdictions, and we are hampered by countless differences in constitutions,

wears a black gown at dinner.

statutes and usage. But co-operation, both of the states with one another and

King Edward was made a Bencher in liam 1861 IAlexander, robed him," whohe was said.standing “Sir Wil~ at

“When

of the states with the nation, is possible,

and should not only be invited but'in sisted upon. We regret the non-existence of any official publication in this country devoted exclusively to the procedural reform movement. Such an organ would

his side, asked him if I might do so, and the prince nodded smilingly. Many years afterwards I robed his eldest son, the

Duke of Clarence.

King Edward was

present on that occasion, too.

Among

focus discussion and provide a suitable

those who have passed through these halls in my time were Lord Chief Jus

forum for debate.

ﬁce Cockburn,

If the American Bar

Association were to create a permanent

procedural reform bureau, which intelli

gently supervised such discussion by means of a regular organ, its inﬂuence in bringing about deﬁnite accomplish ment might become much greater.

The Commissioners on Uniform State Laws have not formulated a model uni form practice act, yet such an act is needed, and there is no subject entitled to

receive more attention from this impor tant and useful body. To what higher authority shall the various state bar asso ciations submit their results to be passed upon, if not to the American Bar Asso ciation or the Commissioners on Uni form State Laws?

Lord Westbury,

Mr.

Montague Smith, Sir Henry Hawkins and Sir Lawrence Peel, who once was Chief Justice of India." Another of Mr. Darling's duties is to see that the barristers and students dining in the outer hall are served with the exact quantity of wine (port and claret) the laws of the Temple allow. “It would be a terrible breach," he said, "if any one should have even half a bottle more than the allowance. For two shillings they can have as much as they like to eat and as much beer as they choose to drink, but the wine is limited to one bottle of the best or two bottles of light.

On ‘grand nights’ the allowance is more liberal."