He gets a hazy, erratic, uncertain notion as to what law procedure is, gathered around him in the uncertain practice of an ordinary trial court. I believe legal education of the next ten years will be marked by instruction in procedure, and, as a result, we shall have the law much more certainly, much more speedily, and much more effectually administered, and it will result in justice much. more often than it does now, where, as I have indicated, a decision must be on mere questions of practice. With that advance I believe that the legal profession will come more nearly into the enjoyment and privilege and opportunity and exercise of the duty it owes to the public to assist in the administration of justice. "We mainly recommend, or suggest, at this time, however, on behalf of the attorneys, that this Association renew its recommendation to the legislature to increase to three years the term of study in this State, and to require a preliminary education as a test of qualification, of practically a high school course. "I suggest that Mr. Carpenter report to this convention the proceedings of the committee in regard to legislature." SENATOR C. A. CARPENTER, said: "The committee chosen last year were to recommend change in two particulars: First, codification of the law in regard to notes and bills; second, to change the statute requiring of candidates two years in a law office so it would read 'three' instead of 'two' years. There was no idea at the time as to the amendment suggested just now requiring other tests. ་་ That section of the Code desired to be amended fell to the judiciary committee. Those of you who have been connected with legislature, or are familiar with its methods, know that nearly all the work is left to committees there. "I offered the amendment in the senate, with the reasons given by this Association. It was also presented in the house, by my colleague, Mr. Weaver, and in both places it was at once rejected, and the law was left the same as it was before two years ago. We submitted the matter at the meeting of the Association last year, at Davenport. As the majority of the committee saw fit to reject the amendment, it was thought best not to offer it in either house and, having failed in committee, it was left to stand as before. "The arguments, as I recall them, were various. Of course all are lawyers on the committee (judiciary). The committee numbered fifteen, but the attendance was usually very light,- perhaps six, seven or eight,- too small to do the work ordinarily. The objection was made that it would make the course too long. It was said that students on two years study were putting in more time than was needed. At the beginning of the session it was thought best not to inject new matter into the Code. The committee at that time was not in favor of injecting anything new — simply to go over and codify and not change except as to phraseology and adapting to present conditions. So the first bill met with the same fate. You all know that later they abandoned the idea of not amending and amended everything and it took a long while. "I am heartily in accord with Chancellor McClain about this provision and would like to have it referred to the next Assembly and perhaps they will amend so as to raise the standing. It would have been a good deal better provision for me. When I went to school we had only a one year course and I escaped knowing very little about law and I haven't known a great deal about it since." JUDGE WADE : "I move that the Association continue the recommendation adopted last year and that the Committee on Education be authorized to appoint a committee to attend the legislature." Motion carried. The report of the Committee on Biography was then presented by Judge A. J. McCrary, Chairman. JUDGE LEWIS : "In view of the fact that most of the members have, almost from necessity retired from the hall, and in view of the difficulty of reading at this time, in the hall, I move that the report be printed in full, but that further reading of it here be suspended." An amendment to the motion was offered and seconded postponing further reading until to-morrow morning's session, and the motion as amended was carried. A motion to adjourn was then made. MR. MECHEM : "It occurs to me that before adjournment we should elect our officers as some desire to go home by early train." THE CHAIR: "A motion to adjourn takes precedence of one to elect officers." Judge Wade here suggested that those contemplating early departure should wait until after the address to be given by Judge Gibbons. The Chair emphasized the suggestion. Adjournment was then taken till 9 A. M., in order to attend the ball game. |