that period as I remember it (in giving these figures I am not pretending to be accurate), the year's course contained about 1100 hours of work, whereas the better law schools had somewhere between 1600 and 2000. Much emphasis was also placed on such studies as international law, which I think you will agree with me, is in Iowa more to be regarded as a liberal study than as distinctive law study. The curriculum was changed so as to give about the same number of hours as are given in the better class of law schools similar to our own, and the emphasis placed rather upon those studies which are fundamental to all legal knowledge. This required more intense work on the part of students and it became manifest to the Faculty that the ordinary high school student was not fully equipped to do this work properly. After a careful study of our situation and of the conditions in other States similar to our own, the Faculty of the Law School and the Board of Education were abidingly persuaded that it would be a mistake to defer longer the demand for this additional preliminary education, and it has therefore been announced that after September 1st, 1914, one year of college work will be added to the present requirements for admission to the Law School, and commencing with the year 1915 two years of college work will be added. We will then be on a par with the best schools in the West, so far as admission requirements are concerned, and there is no reason why we should be lagging behind. This will undoubtedly cause a decrease in the number of students. I have, however, heard no complaint of a scarcity of lawyers in Iowa. It seems that quality and not numbers is what is to be desired. It may be objected to this move that it deprives a brainy young man who may not have had the opportunity to get this college training, and who is of an age when it would be a hardship to require him to get that training before taking his law work, of his equal chance; and in order not to deprive such, a provision is made by which an applicant over twenty-one years of age may be admitted by permission of the Faculty and will be first classified as a special student. If after entering, such student shows himself capable of doing the work satisfactorily, he may be recognized as a candidate for a degree. Thus the doors of opportunity are not closed to any worthy young man of ability and energy who may not have had the opportunity to get the preliminary training in college, but who has by his own efforts gained for himself the training and mental discipline and other things which are the usual results of such training, and who is of that age when it might be a sacrifice to ask him to spend the extra time. It is not asking too much of the young man under twenty-one to do this work in college. With the opportunities now afforded any young man having the proper mental attitude, the energy, and the right ideals of the profession, will be able to do this work and will find the avenues of opportunity open whether he has means or not. Our observation at the universities and colleges of the country shows that poverty is no handicap in this respect. A full three years will be required in the law college hereafter in order to entitle the student to a degree; and credit will not be given for time spent in the office. Any one, however, who is capable of doing the work may be admitted as a special student and get credit for work done. The Faculty and the Board of Education felt that they would be derelict in their duty if these matters were longer delayed. They also felt that the important place held by the lawyer in aiding the State in the performance of its corporate functions demanded a class of men in the profession for the training of which this preliminary education would be necessary, and the law school is to-day the sole fountain of training for prospective members of the profession. A closer relation between the Bar of the State and the Law School would be a good thing for both. This relation, of course, can never become as close as that existing between the College of Medicine and the medical profession, because law as practised cannot be as fully taught in the school as medicine. There are many things about the practice and the application of legal principles to the everyday questions that must of necessity be learned outside of the law school. There are however numerous points of contact, and I have often thought that it would be well for both if the two were brought into somewhat closer touch. The existing aloofness has come about largely by reason of the growth of a distinct profession known as law teachers. Formerly teachers were practitioners and judges, and the air of the court and law office was brought into the school. This is no longer the case, and it seems to me that the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction, and that there would be a distinct gain if somewhat of the old order were restored; not however by having the greater part of the school work done by men in actual contact with the administration of justice, but by having some integral part of this work done by men of known ability and leadership in the profession. It seems to me that this would have a tendency to keep the courses properly balanced and prevent the going too far to the study of law solely on its scientific side abstracted from the practical side, and would also prevent the faculty from becoming too doctrinaire. It would also be a stimulus to the student body and arouse interest and enthusiasm by giving points of contact and relating the school work more closely with the work of the profession, thus making it more human. It has always seemed to me that professional and technical schools should relate their work to the after life work as closely as its nature will permit. I may state here that this matter is being considered by the Board and Faculty and attempts will be made to have lines of work introduced for the purpose of supplying the omission I have here noted. I will say in conclusion that the Board of Education will be very glad to have constructive criticism from the members of this Association and from the Bar Association as a body at any time. I will make the admission, humiliating though it may be, that we don't really think we know it all, and will, as I said, be very thankful for suggestions and criticisms that may be of aid to us in our work. We think there ought to be a closer relationship between the Bar of the State and the Law School and we would like to have the Bar Association do its part to bring about such relation. Gentlemen, I thank you very much. THE PRESIDENT: I wish to call special attention to the fact that the Annual Address will be delivered at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Judge Emory Speer is here, and I am sure you will all be delighted to hear him. Some of the members are here with their wives. I am directed to announce that automobiles will be at their service this afternoon in front of the hotel. I am also authorized to say that the management will make no objection if these galleries are occupied by the ladies to-night. At this time, 12 M., an adjournment was taken until 2 o'clock P. M. THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSION 2 O'CLOCK P. M. THE PRESIDENT: The meeting will be in order. I am requested to announce that immediately after the close of the Annual Address, this afternoon, we will be taken in hand by the local Sioux City Bar. Trolley cars will be in waiting at the corner of the hotel, to take those who care, to Riverside Park. Those who do not wish to go the water route, can go to the ball game. The Secretary will now call the roll of Districts for the members of the Executive and Nominating Committees. The committees were announced as follows: NOMINATING COMMITTEE 1st District, J. O. Boyd, Keokuk 2nd District, W. R. Hoffman, Muscatine EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1st District, H. J. Wilson, Burlington 2nd District, C. M. Dutcher, Iowa City 7th District, J. M. Parsons, Des Moines 8th District, V. R. McGinnis, Leon 9th District, C. G. Saunders, Council Bluffs 10th District, E. G. Albert, Jefferson 11th District, W. A. Helsell, Odebolt THE PRESIDENT: Gentlemen of the Convention: Every Iowa man who has ever attended a meeting of the American Bar Association has enjoyed meeting the gentleman who is to deliver the Annual Address this afternoon. I take great pleasure in introducing to you Judge Emory Speer, of the Federal Court of Georgia. AMERICANISM AND AMERICAN JUDGES These are evil days for a coördinate power of our government. It is the Judiciary on which so much depends. In truth, it seems that the symmetrical design carved by the Fathers of the Nation is in danger of mutilation and possibly of complete destruction. This foreboding may not be fully justified, but men of robust and patriotic Americanism should lose no occasion to invite the attention of the people to the theme. Not patriotic is he, nor indeed is he wise who may discern the baleful portents to the future of our Judiciary looking above the horizon, and then fail to disclose or seek to minify the ruin now threatened to the fairest and most effective government for free men the world has ever known. The ruin of the National Judiciary is the downfall of free government. How came our government? When Mr. Gladstone declared it to be the greatest work ever struck out in a given period by the brain and purpose of man, the eulogium was not unmerited, but it was wholly inaccurate. The Constitution of the United States was not "struck out in a given period." It is a perfect growth, but of long, slow, and unintermitting development. The |