THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION. CALL FOR A CONFERENCE; PROCEEDINGS OF CONFERENCE; OFFICERS, MEMBERS, ETC. PHILADELPHIA: JACKSON BROS., PRINTERS, 404 LIBRARY STREET. CALL FOR A MEETING TO FORM AN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION. DEAR SIR: It is proposed to have an informal meeting at Saratoga, N. Y., on Wednesday morning, August 21, 1878, to consider the feasibility and expediency of establishing an AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION. The suggestion came from one of the State Bar Associations, in January last, and the undersigned have been favorably impressed by it. A body of delegates, representing the profession in all parts of the country, which should meet annually, for a comparison of views and friendly intercourse, might be not only a pleasant thing for those taking part in it, but of great service in helping to assimilate the laws of the different States, in extending the benefit of true reforms and in publishing the failure of unsuccessful experiments in legislation. This circular will be sent to a few members of the Bar in each State,whom, it is thought. such a project might interest. If possible, we hope you will be present on the day named at Saratoga; but in any event, please communicate your views on the subject of the proposed organization to Simeon E. Baldwin, New Haven, Conn., who will report to the meeting the substance of the responses received. BENJAMIN H. BRISTOW, KENTUCKY. GEORGE HOADLY, OHIO. HENRY HITCHCOCK, MISSOURI. CARLETON HUNT, LOUISIANA. RICHARD D. HUBBARD, CONNECTICUT. ALEXANDER R. LAWTON, GEORGIA. RICHARD C. McMURTRIE, PENNSYLVANIA. STANLEY MATHEWS, OHIO. E. J. PHELPS, VERMONT. JOHN K. PORTER, NEW York. JULY 1, 1878. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONFERENCE CALLED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ORGANIZING A NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION, AND OF THE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION. A number of members of the bar, called together by a circular letter for the purpose of forming a National Bar Association, met in the court room of the Town Hall, at Saratoga Springs, New York, on Wednesday, August 21st, 1878, at 10 o'clock in the morning. Mr. Roger Averill, of Danbury, Connecticut, called the meeting to order and nominated as Temporary Chairman, Mr. John H. B. Latrobe, of Baltimore, who was unanimously elected. Mr. Simeon E. Baldwin of New Haven, Connecticut, nominated Mr. Francis Rawle, of Philadelphia, as Secretary, who was unanimously elected. Mr. Latrobe, upon taking the chair, briefly addressed the meeting. Mr. Bullard, of Saratoga, nominated Mr. Isaac Grant Thompson, of Troy, New York, as an additional Secretary of the meeting; he was unanimously elected. Mr. Baldwin stated that a register had been prepared, to be signed by gentlemen present by invitation from different |