Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 25.pdf/59

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The Green Bag

Califorina Bar Association declared in favor of an indeterminate sentence law for the cases of persons convicted of a first offense, and of the parole of such persons within the time for which they are sentenced to imprisonment. The annual address was delivered by Presi dent C. E. McLaughlin of Sacramento (see p. 11 supra). Hon. Peter J. Shields of Sacramento read a thoughtful paper on "The Judicial Office." Nevada. — The annual sessions of the Nevada Bar Association were held in Reno, Nev., November 15th and 16th. The first day's session was devoted to formal addresses as follows: the Presi dent's annual address by Hugh H. Brown of Tonopah, Nev., on "Unfair Criticism of the Courts"; Curtis H. Lindley, author of Lindley on Mines, the first President of the California Bar Association, and the incumbent Presi dent of the San Francisco Bar Associa tion, delivered a notable address on "The Legal Profession in the Social Crisis"; L. G. Campbell of Winnemucca, Nev., one of the prominent mining lawyers of the state, presented a paper on the question "Should the ExtraLateral Vein Right be Abolished." He recommended that Congress repeal the apex law. The paper will attract wide attention throughout the mining states. Samuel Piatt of Carson City, Nevada, United States District Attorney, deliv ered an address on "The Lawyer after Election." At the second day's sessions the Asso ciation adopted the American Bar Asso ciation's "Canons of Legal Ethics." The Constitution and By-Laws were amended so as to make it the duty of the Association to investigate charges of misconduct, not only against practi tioners at the bar, but also judges on the bench. In the debate which preceded

the adoption of this radical and perhaps pioneer measure, it was pointed out that while there was no present need for such a provision in the state of Nevada, the state being well satisfied with the present high character of its judiciary, both state and federal, yet it was felt that such a provision might afford a measure of protection in the future. Furthermore, it was pointed out that the provision would serve a useful pur pose in those instances where the con duct of a judge is misunderstood and misconstrued, with a consequent fer ment of public opinion. In such a case a judge can call upon the Bar Associa tion to pass upon the record and rec tify public opinion. The Association instructed its proper committees to make a study of the sev eral "Uniform Acts," heretofore drafted under the general supervision of the American Bar Association, and to recom mend to the incoming Nevada Legisla ture such acts as might be suitable in this state. A resolution was also adopted in connection with the question of pro posed amendment to the divorce laws of this state, contemplating a change from the statutory residential period of six months to twelve months. The new officers of the Association are: president, A. E. Cheney, Reno; vicepresidents, L. G. Campbell, Winne mucca; H. R. Cooke, Tonopah; secre tary, James D. Finch, Reno; treasurer, George S. Brown, Reno. Oregon. — Martin O. Pipes, retiring president, called the annual meeting of the Oregon State Bar Association to order at Portland Nov. 19, and in his opening address spoke particularly of the judiciary recall and pointed out many reasons why it was not fair to the judiciary. Judge O'Day and A. E. Clark, members of the committee ap