Joseph B. David, of Illinois: There is no real difference between the reference of a resolution to a committee, and the reference to a committee by motion of the subject-matter contained in the resolution. I am inclined to think, if the point of order is insisted upon, that the motion is out of order. The resolution contains recitals which might be regarded as expressive of the sense of the Association. It was to guard against resolutions of that kind in the closing hours of a meeting without previous consideration, that the rule was adopted. William Draper Lewis, of Pennsylvania: I simply move for the appointment of a special committee to consider the subject-matter. The President: I do not see that the motion partakes of the character of a resolution, and the motion may be entertained. E. T. Florance, of Louisiana : I move as a substitute that the subject-matter of expert assistance be referred to the Standing Committee on Jurisprudence and Law Reform. That will put the matter before us in parliamentary shape. The President: I do not think that is quite in order. You may move as a substitute for the motion that the Committee on Jurisprudence and Law Reform be directed to report on the subject. E. T. Florance, of Louisiana: I will accept the Chair's suggestion and put the motion in that form. Charles A. Boston, of New York: I oppose the substitute for the reason that this very matter, in substance, has already for one year been under consideration by that committee and they have not made any recommendation upon it. I surmise that the reason is that it may be referred to a special committee whose attention may be directed to this one point. Joseph B. David, of Illinois: Our By-Laws provide that unless a resolution is presented on this floor by a committee, it is not to be reported at all. John B. Baskin, of Kentucky: I move that the substitute be laid on the table. W. W. Ross, of Illinois: I second the motion. The President: All in favor of laying on the table the motion that the Committee on Jurisprudence and Law Reform report on the practicability of organizing a kind of expert bureau to assist in legislation will say aye; all opposed, no. The Chair is in doubt and will call for a standing vote. Henry Wade Rogers, of Connecticut: In order that members may understand what they are voting on, I ask the Chair to state whether in adopting the motion to lay the substitute on the table, it does not carry with it also the original motion. The President: It has been ruled in this Association that it does not; I so hold. All in favor of tabling the substitute offered by Mr. Florance will rise and stand until counted. All opposed will now rise. The substitute was tabled. John B. Baskin, of Kentucky: I now move to lay the original motion on the table. The motion was seconded and was lost. The President: The question now recurs on the motion offered by Mr. Lewis. I will ask that it be stated again. William Draper Lewis, of Pennsylvania: My motion is that the President of this Association appoint a special committee consisting of seven members to consider whether some efficient agency cannot be devised to provide the several state legislatures with scientific and expert assistance in the framing of legislation, the committee to report at the next meeting of the Association the existing methods of furnishing such assistance in the preparation of legislative enactments, together with recommendation as to the part, if any, which this Association should take in the matter. Burton Smith, of Georgia: I second that motion. The motion was carried. Thomas Mackenzie, of Maryland: There was a report made the other evening from the Committee on Law Reporting and Digesting. If the Association is to get the benefit of the suggestions contained in that report, a copy ought to be sent to the law book publishers. There are only about fourteen or fifteen of them. I move that copies of the report of that committee be sent by the Secretary to the publishers of law books in the United States. William L. January, of Michigan: I second that motion. Ralph W. Breckenridge, of Nebraska: Has not the Association adopted the recommendation of the Executive Committee which leaves the publication of all papers and addresses with the Association itself? The President: With the Publication Committee and the Executive Committee, but I suppose this motion contemplates that these papers if published shall be distributed. I believe that the report to which the gentleman referred has been printed and published. The motion was carried. Thomas Mackenzie, of Maryland: I have another resolution, which I ask to be referred to the Executive Committee without debate. The President: The resolution may be handed to the Secretary. It will be referred to the Executive Committee. W. A. Ketcham, of Indiana: I want to know what this resolution is, and I think other members here would like to know. The President: The Chair would state that the members will know when the resolution comes before the house from the Executive Committee. There will be no chance to vote on it for a year. Thomas Mackenzie, of Maryland: I am entirely willing to state the substance of the resolution. The President: For the information of the gentleman from Indiana, the Assistant Secretary will read the resolution. W. A. Ketcham, of Indiana: Is it something that has been referred to a committee? The President: It is a resolution offered by Mr. Mackenzie, of Maryland, and he requests that it be referred to the Executive Committee without reading. W. A. Ketcham, of Indiana: Oh! I did not understand. Thomas Mackenzie, of Maryland: If the Chair will permit me, I will state the substance of the resolution. The President: The Assistant Secretary will read it. The Assistant Secretary (reading): "The Executive Committee is requested hereafter always to arrange for a reception, with light refreshments, to the members. of this Association and the ladies accompanying them, to be held on the afternoon of the first day of each annual meeting, in order that the members may become acquainted with one another at an early period of the session." W. A. Ketcham, of Indiana: I have not the slightest objection. Thomas Mackenzie, of Maryland: May I state the object of the resolution? I noticed that the members of the Association did not get acquainted, and in fact they usually do not get acquainted with one another until near the end of the sessions when the meeting is about over. A great many of them never meet until the banquet, and the thought occurred to me that there ought to be some arrangement at the first session of our meeting so that members can be brought together and made to know each other, to know not only our faces, but to know each other's names. S. Griffin, of Virginia: I wish to offer an amendment to the gentleman's motion, namely, that it be refreshments, without the qualification light. The President: The Executive Committee will consider the motion as well as the amendment suggested, and act accordingly. W. A. Blount, of Florida: In appreciation of the charming and unstinted hospitality of the Milwaukee Bar Association, of the citizens of Milwaukee, and of the various organizations that have entertained the members of the American Bar Association at this meeting, I move that the thanks of the Association be most cordially tendered. The motion was variously seconded and unanimously carried. The Assistant Secretary: I have received the resignation of John H. Voorhees as a member of the General Council from South Dakota. |