Mr. Riely then read his paper.

(See Appendix.)

L. D. Starke, of Norfolk: Mr. Chairman,-I desire to present the following resolution:

Resolved, That one thousand extra copies of the paper just read by Major John W. Riely, on "The Criminal Laws and their Administration," be printed in the same form as the paper read at the last meeting of this Association by Judge E. C. Burks, on "The Civil Law and its Administration," and distributed to the members of the Association.

Adopted.

The President: Gentlemen of the Association,—A paper will now be read by Mr. John B. Donovan on "Aquatic Rights." Mr. Donovan here read his paper.

(See Appendix.)

There being no discussion, the Chair announced that the question before the Association was unfinished business.

Mr. Parker: I wish to offer the following resolution:

Resolved, That it is the sense of this Association that the judicial system of this State should be changed, both in respect to the organization of the courts and the election of the judges thereof as prescribed by the constitution, as well as in the adjustment of their jurisdiction and the salaries paid the judges as prescribed by legislative enactment.

Mr. Parker: I offer this resolution and move that it be referred to a special committee of seven members of this Association, and that they report thereon at the next meeting of the Association. My reasons for offering this resolution are that I believe that our judicial system does need reform, because not only is this my own experience, but men of larger reputation and broader experience think so. Though our By-Laws have appointed a Judiciary Committee, we have, for three years past, heard not a word from that committee, and had no report from it worth anything.

At the first annual meeting the committee did make a so-called report, but stated that it had held only one meeting, called the attention of the Association to one or two faults in the judicial system, suggested no means by which they should be remedied, and dismissed the subject. Now I take it that it is not so much

the fault of the Judiciary Committee that there has been no recommendation made by it to the Association. Its members are scattered from one end of the State to the other. It is almost impossible to get that committee together during the interval between the meetings of this Association. If a meeting of the committee is called, the members have to travel long distances to get together, pay their expenses out of their own pockets, and then they do not know whether after they arrrive, there is going to be a quorum, and they may perhaps have their trip for nothing. For that reason I am thoroughly persuaded that we will never have a report from the committee; and one way to get the question of reform in the judicial system before this body is to have the matter referred to a special committee. Desiring that this question should come up and be considered by this Association, I offer this resolution.

C. E. Nicol, of Prince William: Mr. President,-If the gentleman from Southampton will allow me, I would like to make a suggestion. I believe there is a more or less universal feeling throughout the State that the county and circuit courts do not attain to perfect justice. The terms of the circuit courts are too infrequent, and there is great impatience on the part of the people in consequence of delays. This resolution ought to be one authorizing the Judiciary Committee to inquire whether the county and circuit courts of this Commonwealth ought not both to be abolished, and a court of general jurisdiction, holding a term every month, substituted for them. I trust my friend will accept an amendment to that effect, and finally, I believe, it will result in good to the people of this Commonwealth.

Mr. Parker: I would not object to have the resolution go before the Judiciary Committee, provided we could get a report from them, but I want it referred to a committee that can and will get together and make a report to this Association.

Mr. McKenney: I move as an amendment that it be referred to the Judiciary Committee.

Mr. Pettit: It seems to me, Mr. President, that the form of that resolution commits the members of this Association to the opinion that there is a need for a reform in all the judiciary. I do not think it is the expression of the opinion of this Associa

tion that reform is needed in all the courts of this Commonwealth, and if we adopt that resolution it will so appear.

Mr. Parker: If the gentleman will allow me to interrupt him, I change my motion to move that it be referred to a committee of seven, to inquire into the advisability of reform.

Mr. Nicol: Will you accept this substitute?

Resolved, That the Judiciary Committee inquire and report to this Association whether any, and if any, what changes should be made in the present judicial system of Virginia.

Mr. Parker: If you will put "Special Committee."

The President: Does the gentleman from Southampton accept the substitute?

Mr. Parker: Yes, sir.

Mr. McKenney: Now I offer as an amendment that it be referred to the regular standing committee of this Association, whose peculiar duty it is to inquire into such questions.

The substitute referring it to the standing committee was adopted.

J. B. McCabe: Mr. President, I rise to offer a resolution. I do not know that it is in order, because I am not familiar with the By-Laws of the Association. It expresses my own views, and, therefore, I shall offer this resolution :

Whereas it is estimated that the cost of the banquet at the present session of this Association will be about one-half of the annual income of the Association: therefore,

Resolved, That at future meetings no banquet be given at the expense of the Association, but that the funds be accumulated for the purpose of forming an Association Library, or for such other purpose as may hereafter be determined on.

T. D. Ranson: I am heartily in favor of that resolution.

The resolution was rejected.

The President: The Chair would state that on yesterday, when the report from the committee in reference to the grave of Chancellor Wythe was before the Association, the question of reference to another committee was left to the Chair. The Chair will appoint the same committee, to-wit: W. W. Henry, of Richmond; R. G. H. Kean, of Lynchburg, and R. M. Hughes, of Norfolk.

On motion, the Association adjourned till Thursday at 11 A. M.

THIRD DAY.

THURSDAY, July 14, 1892.

The President: The Association will come to order.

J. H. Lewis: I beg to make a sort of informal report from the Committee on Admissions. In addition to those hitherto elected there have been others since elected. I ask to be permitted to open the report hitherto made for the purpose of introducing these names. There were three names we could not elect, by reason of the absence of the members of the committee from the respective circuits in which the applicants reside.

I move that those gentlemen be permitted to enjoy all the privileges of the Association for the present, including the right to appear at the banquet.

Adopted.

The President: Gentlemen of the Association,-The first business in order this morning is to listen to an address by Judge Samuel C. Graham, of Tazewell county.

Judge Graham then read his address.

(See Appendix.)

The President: Gentlemen of the Association,-It is in order to discuss the admirable paper that has just been read.

Judge Mann: I agree with it too well to discuss it.

The members of

Mr. McGuire: Before proceeding with the regular order of business, I would like to create a diversion, and refer to a somewhat more interesting proceeding. I want to make an announcement in respect to the annual dinner to-night. The dinner will be held in the smaller dining-room down stairs. the Association are requested to meet in the office at 9:30, and I suggest that at a quarter to ten they form in line, in order that we may go into the dining-room without a rush or crush, and be there at a few minutes past ten.

I call the attention of members of the Association to the announcement made last night, that it is of the utmost importance that members of the Association should register with the Secretary of the Association for two reasons-one is in order that the

management here may know for how many to provide, and the other is, that I may know to whom to furnish tickets. I have placed tickets with the Secretary for every member registered. In respect to the gentlemen who have not been admitted to membership by reason of circumstances, I ask that these gentlemen also go to the Secretary of the Association and give him their names, in order that he may take a list of such, so that I may furnish them with tickets.

I hope that the formation of the line of members will be promptly made to-night, and that the invited guests of the Association will be there with them at that time. I request also that the Executive Committee meet in the office of the hotel this evening at 4:30 o'clock.

The President: Gentlemen of the Association,-If there is no other business that is proposed to the Association, the regular order will be for the President-elect to announce to the Association the standing committees for the ensuing year. As the President declines, the Secretary will make the announcement.

The Secretary then read the list of standing committees. (See the list at the end of the Annual Reports.)

The Secretary: I will state, Mr. President, that the list containing these respective committees will be posted in the office of the hotel immediately after the adjournment of this session.

The President: Gentlemen of the Association,-I call your attention to the fact that Thursday evening is reserved for the meeting and organization of the standing committees for the year. It is important that this organization be accomplished before the adjournment of the Association. I am requested by the chairman of the Committee on Admission of Members to say that that committee will meet here after the adjournment of the Association. Is there any further business before the Association? Mr. Blackford: I move we adjourn, Mr. Chairman.

Carried.

The President: Before pronouncing that the Association is adjourned, permit me one single word. I cannot leave the Chair to which you have inducted me by your kindness without expressing my deep appreciation of the honor conferred upon me.