George Washington University Law School - Class Book Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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it expedient as well as wise to prescribe an examination for all of the classes at the end of each year. As one reason for the adoption of this rule, Prof. Cox stated that two years was too long a time to wait before finding out how much some young men did not know. And the class of ,97 was the first to be subjected to the operation of the new rule. At a time during the last Summer when humanity in general was striving to keep cool, and several weeks before the commencement of the present term, there were visible some symptoms of a feverish desire for early class organization. The situation got warm im- mediately, and soon after opening day a call was issued for a meet- ing of the class, to be held on October go. At this meeting Messrs. I. M. Spellman, of Texas, and F. C. Croxton, of Illinois, were placed in nomination for President. On the irst ballot the vote stood: Spellman, 405 Croxton, 393 M. L. Alden, of Kansas, 1. Mr. Spellman was elected on the second ballot, receiving 40 votes to 34 received by Mr. Croxton. Another meeting was held November 13, and the list of oliicers was completed by electing S. C. Ford, D. C., vice-president, W. M. Smith, O., secretaryg F. M. Benjamin, O., treasurer, and as members of the Executive Com- mittee the following gentlemen: I. W. Latimer, W. Va., after- ward elected chairman of the committee, I. W. Bevans, D. C., M. L. Alden, Kan. 3 William Mehn, La. 5 O. H. W. Talbot, Md. 3 J. W. Steward, N. I., and Rudolph Forster, Va. At a meeting of the class held December 4, it was voted to have a class history, and the present volume is the outcome of that determination. The class immediately got into a wrangle over some preliminary matters, and an adjournment was had to December I 1. At this meeting it was proposed that the class elect a historian and an assistant, but objection on constitutional grounds was urged against this procedure, which objection was quickly disposed of by a motion empowering the Executive Committee with full control of all matters relating to the class history, including the selection of the historian and his assistant. 18

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held April 17, at the Riggs House, and was well attended. In an important particular it involved a departure from the usual custom which excludes from participation all but members of the class, and an invitation was extended to the Faculty. Honored by the dig- nified and gracious presence of our beloved President, Dr. Whitman, Mr. justice Harlan, Hon. W. A. Maury, Hon. Benjamin Butter- worth, and Secretary Martin, and enthused by their kindly and appropriate words, together with an elaborate mevzzz, and the best of fellowship prevailing, the affair was one to be long remembered. President Hendrick acted as toastmaster, and the ease and ability with which he presided assured success from the very irst word of welcome to the guests. The various toasts were responded to as follows: Our Profession, I. M. Spellman, Tex., A Hung jury-Eleven Stubborn Men,', G. R. Linkins, D. C. 3 The Uni- versity, H. C. Sanford, Wis.g Alpha and Omega-Junior and Chief Justice, Preston Boisseau, Va. 3 Class of '97, Benjamin Martin, Ir., S. C., An Honest Lawyerf, J. E. Jenks, Minn.g Our Athletes, H. I. Brown, N. H. 3 The Machine Politician, W. M. Smith, Ohio, Youthful Ambition, I L. Cousar, Ark., Lawyer vs. Liar, M. L. Alden, Kan., The Ladies, Frank Keiper, Ind. Not to be lost sight of is the extemporaneous but entertaining response of Mr. Snodgrass, Pa., of the class, to hearty calls of that gentleman's name. Mr. I. M. Fisher, Va., president of the Senior Class C962 was also a guest. Gbe Senior Yqar, 1896-7. Of the one hundred and thirty-seven members of the class during the junior year, seventy-four returned with the opening of the present term, on September 30, 1896. To this number are to be added' twenty-eight which were received from various sources, making the enrollment of the present Senior Law Class of Columbian University one hundred and two. The large number of missing Juniors is attributed by some to the fact that the Faculty deemed I7 '

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William F. Woolard, of Illinois, was elected historian, and Howell Bartle, of the District of Columbia, assistant. The latter?- however, declined to serve. Q On April 6 the class had a meeting and decided to have another banquet, to be held soon after the Hnal examinations. R. H. Riddleberger, Va., by a vote of the class, was elected toastmaster, and Henry Leonard, Pa., and I. H. DeVVitt, Tenn., were appointed to co-operate with Mr. Riddleberger in the selection of the speakers for that occasion. Glye Saw Selyool Debating SoQiQty. In the Debating Society the class took a prominent part. The representatives of the class on the board of officers during the junior year were: First Term-Treasurer, I. L. Cousar, Ark. 5 Executive Committee, J. M. Spellman, Tex. 5 R. H. Riddleberger, Va. 5 Second Term-Vice President, R. I-I. Riddleberger, Va. g Sec- retary, XV. M. Smith. Ohio, Executive Committee, E. S. Frith, F. B. Goodheart, Tenn. In the six public debates held during the year, the following gentlemen were selected to represent the class : December 14, 1895, I. M. Spellman, Tex. 3 january 25, 1896, Frank Keiper, Ind.5 February 22, J. L. Cousar, Ark., and I. L. Thomas, Jr., Mo. 5 March 14, W. L. English, Ill., and Benjamin Martin, Ir., S. C. 5 April 4, M. L. Alden, Kan., and VV. S. Stamper, Va. 5 April 25, A. M. Fulk, Ark., and S. C. Ford, D. C. In these debates the honors were declared to belong to Messrs. Keiper, Thomas, Martin, Alden and Ford, and Messrs. Thomas and Martin were chosen by ballot to represent the class in the Annual Prize Debate which took place june 6. Mr. Martin was awarded second prize, the first having been given to a member of the class of '96. During the Senior year the class was represented as follows: First Term-Treasurer, W. S. Stamper, Va. 5 Executive Committee, H. F. Smith, W. Va., chairmang I. W. Bevans, D. C.5 P. A. Bowen, Jr., Md.5 Second Term-President, I. L. Cousar, Ark.5 T9