Albany,
N. Y., January 17, 1900. The ex-President, Walter J. Logan, introduced
him in the following words: "Before I introduce to you Judge Finch, I
want to say just one word for myself. The New York State Bar
Association has treated me with distinguished consideration, and I
shall ever regard every member of the Association as my personal
friend, and among the pleasantest experiences of my life, which I am
only just commencing, that the lawyers of the State of New York
thought me worthy of the position which I am now surrendering. Allow
me to introduce to you Judge Finch. [Applause.] I want to introduce to
you, Judge Finch, the most splendid body of men in the American
nation,--the New York State Bar Association. Judge Finch is now
President."]

GENTLEMEN:--I regard it as a very great honor to be called upon
to preside over the work of this Association for the coming year. I do
not know of any other temptation which would have drawn me away from the
quiet of my ordinary life into an arena so public and so open to
critical observation. It is entirely natural that one who has crossed
the line of threescore and ten should covet a life of rest, or at least
some restful work which makes no heavy demand upon brain and nerves, but
I have received from the Bar of the State of New York, in the years that
have gone by, and which seem to me now almost like a dream, I have
received at their hands so much kindness and courtesy, so much of that
encouragement and generous approval which makes the hardest work a
pleasure and happiness, that it seemed to me almost ungrateful and
ungracious to refuse the duty which was sought to be imposed upon me,
and so I have surrendered, with such grace as I may, and will endeavor,
to the best of my ability, to push forward the work of this Association.
[Applause.]

Indeed, gentlemen, I confess, as over our cups confessions are sometimes
excusable and in order--I confess that it is something of a comfort not
to be quite forgotten. [Applause.] It is the lot of the average judge--I
don't mean by that these old associates of mine, sitting by me, who are
a long way above the average [applause]--it is the lot of the average
judge to disappear from the public memory very soon after his work is
done. Occasionally there is one who makes his appearance in the flush of
some new and remarkable era, and fastens his name to its beginning.
Occasionally there are others who do some exce