rarely meet with anything of the sort, and this one great, grand and glorious fact, speaks volumes for the legal profession. It should, and no doubt will be our constant aim to keep the fountain of justice pure and clean. I have been for some years, watching the workings and results flowing from such organizations as the one we are about to form, and I have been greatly impressed with the usefulness of them. Until the past winter, it has never been my good fortune to be present at a session of one of them. I happened, the past winter, to be in the City of Dayton, in the great State of Ohio, on a social visit to friends, and whilst there, the State Bar Association held its annual session in that city. I met there leading and influential members of the Bar from all sections of that great commonwealth. Many of the judges of their Superior and Inferior courts were there also. They discussed and formulated reforms in the law. One of the leading and most important reforms under discussion, was, the reduction of the principles of the Common Law into the form of a Statute-in other words, the codification of the principles of the Common Law. The discussion on this interesting subject lasted for several days, and I heard some very able and learned arguments, pro and con on it. When the question was submitted to the Association for discussion, I laughed at the idea of attempting to do anything of the sort, but I must admit before it closed I was thoroughly convinced that it was not only practicable, but advisable, proper and right, to reduce to the form of a Statute the principles of the Common Law. I was told by gentlemen in attendence upon that meeting that in the few years they had been at work, they had effected many and great reforms in the Laws of Ohio. At first, the legislators of the State, gave them "the cold shoulder"-looked upon them with suspicion. But it was soon discovered that the lawyers composing the Bar Association were working for the general good. That the reforms they formulated and asked the Legislature to enact into laws were in the interests of good government and necessarily in the interests of the people; hence that Association has accomplished great good in Ohio. There is still a wide field open to them there. So, My brethren of the Bar of West Virginia, it may be with us. The men, the people send to their Legislature, may at first, turn to us "the cold shoulder," and regard us with suspicion. and turn down our recommendations. But, we should not be discouraged. We should not give up the good work in despair. If such should be the case, it should only stimulate us to greater and grander efforts. Before we ask the Legislature to do anything looking to a change in the laws, or the administration of justice, we should first thoroughly study and discuss the subject matter thereof. Let us be sure we are right, that what we ask of them, if enacted into law, will redound to the lasting good and glory of the State. When we satisfy ourselves of this fact, let us ask it, and keep on pressing it upon them, until we secure it. I have great faith in the good, hard, common sense of the masses of the people; and I believe that when they see we are working in their interests they will compel their representatives to accord us a respectful hearing. It should be our aim, of course, to attempt nothing save of a general character. If we desire this organization, we are about to form, and through it to do good, we must know nothing sare the general good-aim at nothing, but the general good. When the Association is organized, and composed, as I trust it will be, of all the best lawyers and judges of the State, regardless of polit ical opinions, and reforms in the laws are thoroughly discussed and formulated, I know our recommendations will receive respectful consideration from the legislative branch of the government, and eventually become laws. I have great faith in the power and influence, that this Association will wield in the making and execution of the laws in this State. Gentlemen, my whole heart is in this business, because my best judgment tells me great good will be accomplished by and through this organization. I want to see it made a grand success, therefore, I trust all present will give it their best energies and talents. We are lawyers, and therefore may be excluded from public office, but we can not be prevented from doing good in our day and generation in this way. I am very sure, in urging the organization of a State Bar Association, I have no other object in view but the general good, and I am fully convinced such are the motives actuating each one present. If we do succeed, My brethren, in accomplishing good for the people and State of West Virginia through this organization, I shall feel amply rewarded for all I have done towards inaugurating it. That we shall be able to accomplish good I have not the faintest shadow of a doubt. We are bound by our obligations as citizens of the State, to make an effort to do good. As individuals, we may not be able to accomplish much, but as an organized, harmonious and compact body of patriotic men, we can not fail to accomplish good, and wield a healthy and beneficial influence over the legislation of the State. My brethren, we are behind the times in West Virginia. We have been asleep and lagging behind long enough. Let us wake up and make an effort to keep pace with the progress of events elsewhere. Let us try, at least, to do our duty as citizens and members of a learned profession. When we do this, and not until then, we will have done all that can be asked or expected of us. Let it be understood, distinctly, that we have not assembled here to-day, to organize a State Bar Association for the purpose of redressing or protesting against any wrongs or grievances personal to ourselves, as a class. We have none that I am aware of. The organization we are about to form is to work in the interests of the whole people of the State. I thank you, My brethren, for the kind and respectful attention you have given me, and in conclusion, nominate as temporary chairman of this meeting, Hon. William P. Hubbard, of the City of Wheeling. MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING. A meeting of the gentlemen of the bar of West Virginia was held at Grafton, West Va., July 8, 1886, pursuant to the following call: NOTICE! To the Members of the Legal Profession in West Virginia: GENTLEMEN:-Believing that as an organized body, we can advance the science of jurisprudence, promote reform in the laws and facilitate the administration of justice in our State, and the better uphold integrity, honor and courtesy in our profession and cultivate a more cordial intercourse among ourselves, we, the undersigned, hereby call upon all members of the Bar in West Virginia, who can possibly make it convenient to do so, to meet in the town of Grafton, on Thursday, July 8, 1886, for the purpose of forming a State Bar Association. We earnestly press every gentleman who possibly can, to be present and aid us in forming this association from which we confidently believe great good will flow. Joseph Sprigg, Chas. J. Faulkner, J. M. Hagans, John J. Davis, Frank Beckwith, R. F. Dennis, Okey Johnson, Thomas C. Green, Samuel Woods, Geo. E. Boyd, John J. Jacob, Thayer Melvin, Alfred Caldwell, R. G. Barr, Wm. P. Hubbard, Henry M. Russell, Robert White, J. G. Hutchinson, T. M. Garvin. All the daily and weekly papers of the State are requested to publish this notice free of charge until July 7. Present, the following named gentlemen: BERKELY COUNTY C. J. Faulkner and Stewart Walker. DODDRIDGE COUNTY Phineas Gano and Jackson V. Blair. HARDY COUNTY— Joseph Sprigg. HAMPSHIRE COUNTY Judge J. D. Armstrong, S. L. Flournoy, R. W. Dailey, Jr., and Henry B. Gilkison. HARRISON COUNTY John J. Davis, J. Philip Clifford, Charles W. Lynch and G. D. Camden. JEFFERSON COUNTY Frank Beckwith. MARION COUNTY U. N. Arnett, H. N. Ogden, James Morrow, Jr., John W. McCoy, A. F. Haymond, W. S. Haymond, W. W. Campbell and T. H. B. Staggers. MINERAL COUNTY F. M. Reynolds and W. C. Clayton. MONONGALIA COUNTY J. M. Hagans, George C. Sturgiss, L. V. Keck, R. E. Fast, W. P. Willey and Frank Cox. OHIO COUNTY Wm. P. Hubbard, J. D. Ewing and Robert White. PLEASANTS COUNTY Aug. Campbell. PRESTON COUNTY Wm. G. Brown. RITCHIE COUNTY P. W. Morris and L. G. Bennington. TUCKER COUNTY P. Lipscomb and A. B. Parsons. TAYLOR COUNTY John W. Mason, M. H. Dent, Frank Woods, John H. Holt, |