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not calling an extraordinary session, not for the reasons Mr. Barton suggests, because it was a demand, but because he has the right, under the construction of that act. Let us put it in the shape that, while we are disposed to favor the further consideration of the majority report, in consideration of the lateness of the hour, we postpone voting until the next meeting. I think that ought to reconcile all these differences.

S. A. Champion.—I was thinking of suggesting that this report show that, while we are disposed to favor the majority report, yet we deem it a bad precedent for the Bar Association to undertake to construe acts of the Legislature before they reach the courts of last resort. I think it would be a bad precedent. So far as I am individually concerned, I think this. It occurs to me that it might not be well. I would like to hear from the Chairman, who himself was Chairman of the committee.

J. M. Dickinson.-I heartily agree with the recommendation of Mr. Champion. I think it would be unwise, at the present time, to undertake to make this Association commit itself to any opinion, and have the courts come along afterwards and come to a different conclusion. I think we had better adopt Mr. Champion's suggestion. That we have heard the reports and the discussions with pleasure, but do not deem it is proper for the Association, in advance, to commit the absent members to any opinion on the subject. I think that is about the substance of it.

THE PRESIDENT.-Do you mean to second Mr. Champion's motion?

J. M. Dickinson.-Yes, sir.

S. A. Champion. That motion would take precedence of all other motions on the subject.

THE PRESIDENT.-All in favor of the motion of Mr. Champion will signify it by saying aye.

Motion carried.

J. M. Dickinson.-I move that we adjourn sine die.

THE PRESIDENT.-Before doing that I will make the announcement of the committees.

Judge Ferguson.—I would like to say that my impression has been so delightful and so favorable, that before any further ac

tion is taken I desire to make application for membership in the Tennessee Bar Association.

J. B. Heiskell.-I move that the gentleman from Louisiana be admitted as an honorary member of the Tennessee Bar Association, or, if he prefers it, as an active member, but I am willing to do it in such shape as will be most gratifying to him, and hope we will suspend the rules and make the election unanimous.

THE PRESIDENT.-It is moved that Judge Ferguson, of New Orleans, be made an honorary member of the Tennessee Bar Association. Those favoring this motion say aye.

Motion carried unanimously.

THE PRESIDENT.-In closing the exercises at this time, I will state that I will agree with a few of the last Presidents of this Association to make a prominent feature in this Association the delivering of memoirs of those who have been prominent at the bar and on the bench in Tennessee. The fact is, in that matter, all along that line, the bar has been very derelict in the past. Many of the shining lights in the bar of Tennessee, who have lived and died and have been famous in their time, have left reputations behind them, which have been passing away into oblivion, and now much of them is forgotten. What does the bar of Tennessee know about James Scott, a prominent man in his time? Take men like Reese and Addison in the Tennessee bar. What do we know of them? That is a matter that I would promote as far as I am able. I wish to state for the gratification of the members of the bar, that I have selected as the subject for next year Spencer Jarnigan, of Grainger County, Tenn., who was one of the greatest men in the bar of Tennessee. I have also secured the promise of a memoir of Return J. Meigs, of Middle Tennessee, and I am making arrangements for a memoir of Judge Ellett, of West Tennessee, by a gentleman who will make that a most interesting biography.

I will now announce the committees, which I have possibly been delayed from having passed to the Clerk :

Committee on New Constitution and New Code.-This is a special committee. I announce the committee. as follows: J. C. Bradford, Nashville; James H. Malone, Memphis; W. B. Swaney, Chattanooga; W. H. Russell, Harriman; and S. G. Shields, Knoxville.

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Committee on Jurisprudence and Law Reform.-J. B. Heiskell, Memphis; J. S. Pilcher, Nashville; J. W. Bonner, Nashville; R. F. Jackson, Nashville; and S. J. Kirkpatrick, Jonesboro.

J. B. Heiskell.-I hope you will not put me on that committee. I am opposed to any undertaking of that kind.

THE PRESIDENT.-I will say to General Heiskell that I have provided that three of the members shall live at Nashville, where they can easily consult together. You will give such assistance as you can give. We want your name, J. B. Heiskell, on that committee.

Committee on Grievances.-Xenophon Wheeler, Chattanooga; S. A. Champion, Nashville; J. C. Bradford, Nashville; G. W. Pickle, Knoxville; Luke E. Wright, Memphis.

Committee on Judicial Administration and Remedial Procedure.-Geo. T. White, Chattanooga; W. J. Clift, Chattanooga; W. B. Swaney, Chattanooga; C. R. Berry, Franklin; John H. Watkins, Memphis.

Committee on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar.-C. J. Sawyer, Clinton; J. W. Green, Knoxville; Firman Smith, Nashville; C. W. Metcalf, Memphis; E. P. McQueen, Loudon.

Committee on Publication.-Jas. M. Head, Nashville; M. T. Bryan, Nashville; W. G. Hutcheson, Nashville; G. N. Tillman, Nashville; Morton B. Howell, Nashville.

THE PRESIDENT.-If there is no further business before the Association, a motion to adjourn is now in order. Association adjourned sine die.

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APPENDIX.

CONSTITUTION.

OBJECTS.

ARTICLE I.-The objects of the Association are to foster legal science, maintain the honor and dignity of the profession of law, to cultivate professional ethics and social intercourse among its members, and to promote improvements in the law and the modes of its administration.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

ARTICLE II.—All nominations for membership shall be made by the Local Council of a County or Bar Association when such Local Council or Bar Association exists; when there is no Local Council or Bar Association in any county, nominations from such county shall be made by the Central Council. All nominations thus made or approved shall be reported by the Council to the Association, and all whose names are reported shall thereupon become members of the Association; Provided, That if any member demands a vote upon any name thus reported, the Association shall thereupon vote thereon by ballot. Five negative votes shall be sufficient to defeat any election for membership.

MEMBERSHIP.

ARTICLE III.—Any person shall be eligible to membership. in this Association who shall be a member of the bar of this State, in good standing, and who shall also be nominated as herein provided.

OFFICERS.

ARTICLE IV.-The officers of this Association shall consist of one President, three Vice-presidents, a Secretary and Treasurer, a Central Council, who shall be the Board of Directors under

the charter, to be chosen by the Association. One of the members of the Central Council shall be its Chairman. Each of these officers shall be elected at each annual meeting for the next ensuing year, but the same person shall not be elected President two years in succession. All such elections shall be by ballot. The officers elected shall hold office until their successors are elected and qualified according to the Constitution and By-laws.

CENTRAL COUNCIL.

ARTICLE V.-The Central Council shall consist of five members, and shall be, at all times, an advisory board for consultation and conference when called on for that purpose by the President, or any Vice-president who may, for the time being, be acting as President.

LOCAL COUNCIL.

ARTICLE VI.-The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Central Council, may establish a Local Council in any county in this State by issuing a warrant to that effect, naming therein the persons composing such Local Council. Each Local Council shall not consist of less than three nor more than seven members. No person shall be eligible to appointment as a member of any Local Council who is not, at the time, a member of this Association.

ELECTION OF MEMBERS.

ARTICLE VII.—All members of this convention signing the charter, and all members elected as herein provided, shall become members of the Association upon the payment of the admission fee as herein provided for. But after the adjournment of this convention, all nominations for membership shall be made as herein provided.

ANNUAL DUES.

ARTICLE VIII.-Each member shall pay five dollars to the Treasurer as annual dues, and no person shall be qualified to exercise any privilege of membership who is in default. Such dues shall be payable, and the payment thereof enforced, as may be provided by the By-laws. Members shall be entitled

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