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Torrens System; we think you are in the same fix, and we have sent several eminent lawyers and law professors to tell you about it." I went there with a committee of which Mr. Old, of Norfolk, was chairman. We went there with a welldigested bill, and nearly every proposition we presented to them from the Association in a decent shape they adopted. But if we go there and say to them that we met at the Hot Springs, and we didn't know anything much about the Torrens System, but that we sent a committee there to tell them they ought to adopt it, they will treat it very lightly.

Mr. Barbour: At the time I drew my resolution, I did not know there was a committee on the Torrens System. I would like my motion to be changed, so that it will name that committee.

Mr. Harris: Mr. President, I offer an amendment to the motion of the gentleman from Culpeper (Mr. Barbour), that the committee distribute this bill by the first of December.

Mr. Barbour: I have no objection to that amendment. I think it would be better for it to be circulated thirty days before the next meeting, instead of the first of December. I will suggest that my motion should read that it be published by the first of December, even though it is not distributed until thirty days before the next meeting. I will now read my substitute in its perfected form:

Resolved, That the Committee on the Torrens System be directed to draft a bill looking to the establishment of the Torrens System in Virginia, and report the same to the next meeting of this Association for its approval or disapproval. A majority of said committee is authorized to act, and as soon as its report is completed the Secretary is directed to have the same printed and a copy thereof sent to each member of the Association, not later than June 1st next.

Mr. Johnson: Mr. President, I now read my resolution as amended by Mr. Barton:

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Virginia State Bar Association that the General Assembly of Virginia should enact

proper legislation for the establishment of the Torrens Land System in Virginia, or in such portions thereof as it may be deemed wise and appropriate at this time. And the following committee, or a majority thereof-to-wit, Eugene C. Massie, Thomas C. Elder, R. L. Parrish, Frank W. Christian and W. M. Lile—are hereby appointed to draft the proposed legislation to be submitted to the Legislature, and to print and distribute said proposed legislation among the members of this Association prior to the 1st day of December, 1902.

The President: The question is upon the substitute offered by Mr. Barbour.

Mr. John T. Harris: I move that the substitute be laid on the table.

Carried.

The President: The question is now upon the original resolution of Mr. Johnson as amended by Mr. Barton.

On motion, the resolution of Mr. Johnson, as amended, was adopted.

The Association then took a recess to 8:30 P. M.

EVENING SESSION

Hot Springs of Virginia

WEDNESDAY, August 6th, 1902.

The Association was called to order by the President at 8:30 P. M.

Mr. R. B. Davis: I am requested by the Treasurer of the Association to call the attention of members again to the fact that a great many have not registered. It is absolutely essential that this be done, in order that he may make arrangements for the banquet to-morrow night.

There will be a meeting of the Executive Committee imme

diately upon the adjournment of this session, and we will be glad to have all the members elected at this meeting present.

The President: Ladies, and gentlemen of the Virginia State Bar Association, we shall have the great pleasure this evening of hearing a gentleman who needs no introduction to a Virginia audience. I dare say, indeed, that there is no portion of this great country where this gentleman would need an introduction. In the Old Dominion his name is a household word. I introduce the senior Senator from the State of Virginia, who was, until its adjournment, a distinguished member of the Constitutional Convention, the Hon. John W. Daniel. (Applause.) Major Daniel then read his address.

(See Appendix.)

Judge L. L. Lewis, Chairman of the Committee on Memorials, then presented the memorials on deceased members. (See Memorials at end of Minutes.)

On motion, a recess was then taken to 10 o'clock A. M., Thursday, August 7th, 1902.

THIRD DAY

Hot Springs of Virginia

THURSDAY, August 7th, 1902.

The Association was called to order by the President at 10 o'clock A. M.

The President: Gentlemen of the Association, the Chairman of the Committee on Admissions wishes to make a report, and now he has an opportunity of doing so.

Col. Stickley read the final report of that committee.

(See Report at end of Minutes.)

The President: I will assume, on behalf of the Association, to return the thanks of the body to our very efficient Chairman

of the Committee on Admissions. (Applause.) Without him, I do not see how we could very well get along. (Applause.) The Secretary will now read the list of standing committees appointed by my successor.

Mr. Massie then read list of standing committees for ensuing year.

(See Appendix.)

Mr. A. W. Patterson, of Richmond': Mr. President, at the meeting of the Executive Committee last evening I had the honor to be elected chairman; and speaking on its behalf this morning, I desire to say something which ought to be of exceeding moment to those whom it concerns. These annual meetings of our Association, as you gentlemen know, culminate in a banquet. This banquet will be held in the dining-room tomorrow evening at 8:30. The Secretary has tickets for all of those who have registered and qualified otherwise.

I am also requested to announce that immediately after the meeting this morning, the photograph of the Association, which is also an important feature of our meetings, will be taken by the official photographer just outside of the building here, and all of our members are requested to be present. These pictures become of very great historical interest as the years go by, and those of us who treasure them up find them very valuable. The ladies are invited to be present and adorn the picture.

Mr. Stickley: Mr. President, I desire to announce that the Committee on Admissions will meet for organization at the speaker's desk as soon as we adjourn.

The President: Gentlemen of the Association, the distinguished gentleman who has consented to deliver the annual address before the Association this year is a native of the State of Virginia, and an alumnus of the University of Virginia, and an honored member of the Supreme Court of his adopted State, Missouri. (Applause.) While I am sure that his address will commend itself to the Association on its own merits, I would

like to say, from my personal intercourse with this gentleman, that he loves our dear old Virginia as much as we do. I introduce the Honorable James B. Gantt. (Applause.)

Judge Gantt then delivered the annual address.

(See Appendix.)

Judge R. T. W. Duke, of Charlottesville: Mr. President, I move you, sir, that the Virginia State Bar Association express its admiration and gratitude to the distinguished jurist who has just addressed us, by a rising vote of thanks. Unanimously adopted.

Mr. S. S. P. Patteson, of Richmond: Mr. President, I desire to offer the following resolution:

Whereas, the few surviving county records of Virginia for the seventeenth century are incomparably the most valuable in existence for the light which they throw on the early administration of justice, and the origin and condition of her colonial forefathers, whether social, religious, political or economical;

And whereas a large number of these ancient records are now in the state of tattered and mutilated volumes, without any backs, and fast becoming illegible by the fading of the handwriting and the decay of the paper from age or neglect;

And whereas in some of the county clerks' offices, largely owing to the entire lack of proper mechanical facilities, these priceless volumes are left, like so much useless rubbish, to rust in thick dust on the tops of bookcases and shelves, or to lie in piles upon the floor, exposed to constant dampness and the depredations of insects and other vermin, which will soon destroy what has escaped the corruption of time;

And whereas in the year 1892 the General Assembly of Virginia appropriated the sum of $5,000 to copy these records down to the year 1700, for preservation in the State Library, but the sum proved insufficient and only a part of the records were transcribed-viz, the records of York, Henrico, Surry, Elizabeth City, Essex and Rappahannock Counties;

And whereas it is pre-eminently the duty and the privilege of the Bar Association of Virginia to exert all the influence and

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