APPENDIX A PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS BENJAMIN W. KERNAN, OF NEW ORLEANS One of the privileges of the President is to prepare and read to the Association an annual report. In submitting this review of its affairs and of changes in State and National Legislation during the twelve months just past, I do it with the hope that it will be found not disproportionate to the privilege given me to prepare it and read it to you. Commenting first upon the affairs of the Association; the financial condition, notwithstanding the small increase in members, is very satisfactory. According to the report of your Secretary-Treasurer, there is in bank $3,738.73 from which is to be deducted the expenses of this meeting and current bills and for the services of the Librarian and porter. The loan of $5,000 authorized December 3, 1909, and effected in 1911-12, has been reduced to $2000, which will be retired at the rate of $1,000 per year. The Executive Committee thought it wiser to retire the loan in annual installments rather than to curtail the fund available for additions to the library. By so arranging the retirement of the debt, the members of the future are made to bear their proportionate cost of the magnificient home and equipment the Association now enjoys. The membership at the last annual meeting was 195 full members from Orleans Parish; 122 full members from other parishes and 36 library members. After deducting losses by death, resignations and suspensions, and adding increases to the membership roll, we start this year with 202 full members from Orleans Parish; 114 full members from parishes other than Orleans and 36 library members. I regret that the profession has seemingly not well understood what are the purposes of the Association. There seems to be an idea prevalent with those who are not of us, that the only benefit to be derived from membership is the convenience afforded by the use of the library and in having a good time at the annual meeting. The profit and pleasure from these sources, it is needless to say, are of a minor importance. The chief objects of the Association are the elevation of the profession, the maintenance of the highest ideals, the exertion of its influence to secure the passage of laws beneficial to the State, and to secure the just and efficient administration of the law. To have shared in the accomplishing of these aims is a greater recompense. The Bar Association has a membership representing about 30 per cent. of the entire bar of the State; it should have at least 75 per cent. Notwithstanding the comparatively small membership, its influence has been successfully exerted in securing the passage of needful legislation; how much greater power would it wield were it strengthened by the co-operation of the entire profession! Membership in the Association should be one of the most coveted titles of distinction conferable upon a lawyer. In other professions membership in its National and State associations is considered a distinguished honor, and so should it be with ours. Each of you has a friend who ought to be with us; if each of you would make a little effort, you could build an organization whose voice in public affairs would be heeded. Do this and speed the good work your Association is doing. The Library has been brought to a high standard of efficiency, and its usefulness has been demonstrated by the constant increasing number of its patrons. There were recently added several standard text books. These were much needed and their acquisition has given general satisfaction. The oversight of the Courthouse Commission, in failing to provide for a lavatory, has been remedied to some extent by putting in a washstand and accessories. The thanks of the Association are due to the Librarian and his office force for the splendid condition in which the library is kept. The books are kept clean and in their proper places; the room is attractive; to work there is a pleasure. STATE LEGISLATION There has been no regular session of the Legislature since our last meeting; hence, but little change in the State Legislation is to be noted. The Legislature was called in extra session to authorize the holding of a convention to adopt a Constitution and the election of delegates thereto. The purpose of holding the convention was to provide for the issue of bonds to retire the bonded indebtedness of the State, which matured January 1st, 1914, and to more particularly define the powers and duties of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans. This extra session was convened on Monday, September 8th, 1913, and adjourned on September 19th, 1913. In this brief time six acts were passed: No. 1. An Act providing for submission to the people of a proposition to hold a convention, for the purpose of framing and putting into effect a new Constitution; to fix the powers of the convention; to provide for the election of delegates there to. An Act providing for the manner of holding and conducting the election, to submit to the people the question of whether or not a constitutional convention should be held, and for election of delegates thereto, and to provide for the punishment of violations of the acts calling the election. By Section 2 of this Act, punishment by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary for not less than two nor more than five years was prescribed for intentionally making or attempting to make a false canvass of ballots cast or any false return of the result of the election by any election commissioner or clerk, and the same penalty was prescribed against any person who might induce or attempt to induce any clerk or commissioner to make such false return. No. 3. An Act authorizing the Board of Liquidation of the State Debt to borrow from the fiscal agent $15,000 to pay the mileage and per diem of members of the Constitutional Convention and the other expenses of holding same. No. 4. An Act authorizing the Board of Liquidation of the State Debt to borrow from the fiscal agents $25,000, to be used in the reconstruction and enlargement of the Louisiana Training Institute at Monroe. The Board of Commissioners, with the approval of the Governor, was authorized to select another site. No. 5. An Act authorizing the Board of Liquidation of the State Debt to borrow from the fiscal agent $16,000 to pay the mileage and per diem of the members of the General Assembly and their expenses of the extra session. No. 6. An act to empower the Governor to make temporary appointments to fill vacancies that may happen in the representation of the State in the Senate of the United States. THE NEW CONSTITUTION The act providing for the holding of a Constitutional Convention fixed the number of delegates thereto at eighty, being one from each parish and one from each ward or representative district of the Parish of Orleans. According to the terms of the act the convention had full power to frame and adopt without submission to the people a new Constitution for the State, but was prohibited from acting, ordaining or framing any article or ordinance (a) inconsistent with any existing constitutional provision, provided that this prohibition should not apply to any article or articles, ordinance or ordinances that may be enacted in relation to or on the subject matter of the Sta'c's bonded debt of $11,108,300, maturing the 1st of January, 1914, or respecting the powers or duties of the Sewerage and Water Board of the City of New Orleans; (b) On the subject of a State debt other than the bonde:l debt above mentioned, existing provisions in regard thereto to remain in full force and effect; (c) Changing the provision of existing laws touching, relating to or in any manner affecting the following subjects: 1: Any public board or commission of the State or of any political sub-division thereof; (2): any educational or eleemosynary institution of the State; (3) the educational system of the State; (4) parochial or municipal corporations; (5): the terms of office, duties or compensation of any existing officer; (6) registration or election; (7): the levee system. The convention met on the 10th of November in Baton Rouge, and was in session until November 22nd, 1913, when it finally adopted the Constitution of 1913. |