The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1845-02-10


and several leading members of the bar have been
spoken OF during the last month, whose chance Of
success-and 'qualiications-poitic and other
wise, give confidence to the cliqes who have put
them In nomination good deal of diplomacy
and nesse have been resorted to at Albany or this
subjects where II is said, that no less than thirty
seven asplrants for the vacant coi have been bust
~ engaged in canvassing. The professionalism
the facilities of admission TO the bar and the class
ofpersons who have swelled it ranks during the
last eight or ten years-has sadly degenerated-so
as lattery TO render its practice almost dishonor-
able in any man of mind or intelligence There
are, to be sure many OF high legal attainments
-of character-and acknowledged responsibility,
connected with the New York bar, who can well
succeed the late occupant Of the bench in the Cir
cult Court; but the hordes of BARRIERS cerks--ex-
tallors- discarded boot-blacks-
-- ct hoe genus omne,
who have been struggled into the profession with
out the ordinary education, which is usually be-
slowed upon scriviner-without talents-without
character-wlthout pretension-these are the kind
of men who have lowered profession which
should command the admiration of those high qua
lities, which honorable practice is calculated to
call forth.
cursory glance at the practice of the courts
the general tone and bearing OF the practitioners
the bear-garden squabbles that now and again take
place-all sadly contrast with that dignity-that
urbanlty of manner and demeanor that character
ICES the profession amongst our European neigh
bors. This is a consequences of letting in every
delt who iancies he has capabilities, and thus has
the profession degenerated. What can be more
dissraceful than the practices at the Tombs p
When the Grand lnquIsition have been compelled
to present certain lawyerlings " of that ilk" as a
public nuisance, it gives very significant hint to
those interested in the professionalism it needs
"reform." A detailed history of the /" thlmble
rggery" thar is resorted in this quarterly some
of the harpies of the law, would shock the senses
of our readers; and lattery the practice is finding
its way to the upper courts, SO that very soon we
shall the profession reduced to the lowest scale
In this state Of things, it becomes the members Of
the New York bar to set on foot some plan Of re-
form. The profession is already flooded with a
class, who have dlsgraced it-men who are better
fitted for cutting timber in our backwoods, using
the spade or the SICKLE than for the profession they
disagreement who in their emergencies to acquire
practice resort to every species of chicanery and
fnesse-do the business for a mere nominal fee
do it meanly, or perhaps sell their clients" Is
this exaggerated picture of the profession Can
be said that the every day practice in courts
does not present such demorallzing scenes? We
but "hold the mirror up to nature" in thus mott
cling them.
There are many distinguished practitioners in
our courts, who are ornaments 70 the bar-lhe Nor
riss-the Emmets-the Gerards-the Woods
and many others of eminent standing there are
many junior members of the profession who will
be an ornament to it; and while the benches Of
the various courts are all filled with men of integ-
rity and legal requirement. trust that no paltry
political asprant will be selected to succeed men,
Der Of the bench, such as Judge Kent, who has
earned the universal appreciation and respect of the
bar and the public, during his incumbency We
shall recur to this subject again.
SACRED CONCERT Tho Sacred Concert at the
Church Of the TRANSPORTATION in Chambers street,
last night, had crowded attendance, and the per-
formances, notwithstanding the disappointment
occasoned by the non-arrival Of Slgnora Pico,
went off very successfully. The violin solo, by
Rapett, the grand septwor at the commencement
of the second part, and the aira from Stabat Ma
ter. by Brough, were extremely well given. The
septAor, however, was somewhat too long, and re-
peated itself rather tediously towards the close.
The piano, in this piece, was remarkably well
played-in admirable government Of the move
ment, and with true, firm, and expressive touch
The aria distributed for Signora Plco in the first
part, was sung with true taste and feeling, and
with great purity of intonation, by lady whose
name we did not hear.
FORTUNATE PREsERvATIoN-PRAIsKw Con-
DUCT OF THE CAPTAIN OF STEAMER .-Asthe steam.
boat Staten Island was her trip from Staten ISL
and, yesterday afternoon, about half past two
o'clock, the master Of the boat, Capt. Fish, saw
boat drifting with the tide outside the bay, having
an oar erect with a handkerchief flying from it.
He Immediately put about and overlook the boat,
and to his surprise found man lying at the bottom
of it quite insensible. He was Immediately taken
on board the steamer and every assistance afforded
MIN that his case required and in short time re-
covered sufficiently to inform those around him,
that his name was John Hays, and that he had
been employed to carry message to the other
side OF the bay from Staten Island, but that the
frost had so overpowered him that he became quite
numb and insensibe so as to prevent any exertion
on his part, in which condition he was found. The
man was conveyed Ito the dock at the foot Of
and was highly thankful for the service which
Capt. Fish had rendered him. The passengers on
board the steamer at the time speak in the highes,
terms OF the conduct OF the master of the boat on
acknowledgements in writing OF the services he had
rendered the unfortunate man in his dangerous
situation
RAILROAD ACCIDENT AND Loss OF LIFE.-A most
melancholy accident and loss Of life occurred at
Oxford, on the Norwich and Worcester Railroad
on Wednesday, the 9th instant
Doctor Micajah G. Rice, formerly of Framing
ham, Mass, was thrown from snow plough at
tached to locomotive, whist engaged in clearing
the snow from off the track, and killed
There were three persons standing upog the
plough, all of whom were thrown of-two o.
them received little or no injury, whilst the other
DR.. r., fell beneath the plough, which passed ove
his thigh, manglng it in most shocking manner
and nearly sevsring it rom his body. He refuses
to have it amputated, and lived only few hours
He was twenty-five years of age, and has left
wife and one child, to mourn his untimely loss.