working with other Bar Associations, could make this a most worthy memorial to John Marshall, and gather there objects commemorative of his life and work, and make it a place always open, not only to members of our Association, but to all American lawyers. Mr. Guy: I heartily approve of that resolution. I wish to say, however, that Mr. Beverly B. Munford on yesterday, before he left, drew up some resolutions with reference to this subject, and I would be glad if my friend (Mr. Harrison) would postpone this matter until after a conference with him. Mr. Harrison: I should be very glad to do so. Mr. Guy: I wish to say that the next meeting of the Association will be at 9 o'clock this evening in this hall. The President: The Chair desires to call the attention of the Committee to Nominate Officers to a letter received from the Secretary of the American Bar Association, inviting this Association to send three delegates to their meeting, which will take place in Buffalo, New York, on the 28th of August, and I suggest that the committee nominate three delegates to that meeting. The Association then took a recess to 9 o'clock P. M. EVENING SESSION. HOT SPRINGS, VIRGINIA, TUESDAY, August 1st, 1899. The Association was called to order at 9 o'clock P. M. by the President, who said: Gentlemen, as you have already seen it announced in the programme, you are to be entertained this evening by listening to a paper entitled "Suggested Changes in Our Judiciary System," to be read by Mr. James P. Harrison, of Danville. He is too well known to this body to require any introduction at my hands, but I take pleasure in presenting him to you. Mr. Harrison then read his address. (See Appendix.) The President: We will now listen to the report of the Committee on Library and Legal Literature, to be read by Mr. J. Stewart Bryan, of Richmond. Mr. Bryan then read that report, which was received and filed. (See Report at end of Minutes.) Mr. Massie: Mr. President, I would like to submit the following resolution: “Resolved, That a commitee of three be appointed by the President, whose duty it shall be to investigate the Torrens System' for the registration and transfer of real estate, and who shall report to this association at its next annual meeting, with a sketch of a bill for the adoption of said system by the Legislature of Virginia, if the same shall be deemed advisable by the committee." I need only add that this system has been adopted by three States of our Union, and is now in force in Illinois, California, and Massachusetts; and wherever it has been adopted it has received the hearty support of the bar and has given satisfaction to all persons who deal in real estate. In order that we may not drop behind the times, it seems to me proper that this Association should at least devote some attention to the matter; and I therefore make the recommendation contained in this resolution, with the hope that it will pass. Carried. The President: I am requested by the Secretary to say that it is very desirable that those of you who have not already done so should come forward and register with him before leaving the building. A recess was then taken to Wednesday, August 2, 1899, at 11 o'clock A. M. SECOND DAY. HOT SPRINGS, VIRGINIA, WEDNESDAY, August 2d, 1899. The Association met at 11 o'clock A. M. The President: Gentlemen, the regular order of business this morning is the reading of a paper entitled "Professional Ethics," by Mr. Marshall McCormick. Mr. McCormick then read his paper. (See Appendix.) The President: I now have the pleasure to announce that Mr. William B. Pettit, a distinguished member of this Association and an honored ex-President, will read a paper upon the property and contractual rights of married women, suggesting certain changes in the existing law. Mr. Pettit: I have secured Mr. Paul Pettit as the gentleman to read the paper which I have prepared. Mr. Paul Pettit read this paper, which was designed as a part of the report of the Committee on Legislation and Law Reform. (See Appendix.) |