New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-09-24
Judicial Rcfor,n-Lawyers.

ALBANY, Sept L. l-tu.
H GREELEY-Deac SIR Your correspondent
from the Constitutional Convention INDUCES in pretty
free sninadverion upon the action Of the BODY and the
motives Of its Members. In instances ne fails 70
understand the efec: OF propositions he condemns IN
others TO Judge rightly the necessity or proprcty
Of those that rejected by the Convention. have
abou; good opportunity he to Judge Of the proceed
ngs the motives Of individuals and you must permit
10 say that there is harshness ana severity in his
condemnation OF large class OF men in the body iha;
not JustIhable.
trust that it viii hardly be necessary for ne 10 say to
u9U that am enough inclined 10 look with Jealousy
upon the actions of in such body VINO cannot at
all times forget that they may have personal interests IN
of the important subjects they considering
but have not the conduc: that usties general
and sweeping condemnation as INDUCED IN ty your
correspondent, or even as expressed by yourself
recent Editorial article The subject of Licensing Law
ycrs was not necessarily belonging 10 the CCuven
ton The privileges Of the profession have been Gre
uted bv Statute and Court rules not By Constitution
che majority OF the Judiciary Committee reported
ton declaring that the Courts should exercise any
lower OF appointment except to license practitioners in
the Courts. One OF the members OF the majority OF the
Committee moved to strike out the exception It
upon this motion:
THAT Mr. Bascom said ne would be compelled 10 vote
against The motion sood but If one should be made
sweep away all the privileges OF the profession he would
90 for Il II would seem invidous 10 apply this principle
only those who enter the profession hereafter and
oily 10 be growing better as lis ranks should be hned
by death aud age"
Mr. B. farther said, Though your correspondent did
not note III:
Thai he should offer 40 proposition himself upon the
subject but if one should be offered that would take away
the privileges OF the profession he should FOR IL and
although thought that temporary evils would result
ffomit he had doubt but that the ultimate results would
lie beneficial
After this the amendment adopted was offered and
passed by very large vote. /: accompshes thing
If no more it provides that
ANY male citizen OF the age OF Il years, of good moral
character and who possesses the reGite qualifications Of
learning and ability shall be entitled 20 admission 1rac
tice in all the Courts Of this State
Now submit that this is not the worst monopoly that
has been heard Of 1t cannot be very important
individual to the public that should be per
med TO discharge the important duties OF such
ton II he has not the requisite qualifications OF learning
and ability and if as suppose the public is 10 Judge for
itself rather if those requiring professional aid
Themselves to decide who has the necessary qualca-
tons of learning AID ability discharge partcu
duty, sec not what be reasonably required.
The Office of Attorney Counselor. &c. has heretofore
been public Office with its fees perqusite privileges
duties and responsibilities attached The Courts have
by the Statutes been authorized 10 appoint this Office
and they have appointed only those who had spent
years in college schools law Offices and the very
ton upon which this odious monopoly is engratted,
declares that the
Courts shall exercise any power OF appointment
public Offices"
1t did propose to except so that they might license
practitioners, but that was stricken out
Your correspondent complains that motion was lost
by Tie reconsider this question permit
amendment OF Mr.. Mann to be considered, which he
deems preferable but he onlits important part OF
Mr.. Mann's proposed amendment, which to insert
the word WHITE, to have lawyers sort OF uni
form corps in respect at 'ast. How many voted
against the reconsideration this reason | don't
know, but your correspondent mt in OF his
merous complaints 10 have permitted this feature OF Mr..
Mann's amendment to have tho light.
The vote upon the question OF electnc Judges IN Sin
gle Districts was more clearly party vote than any
other that has been had every professional man OF one
party voted fer Single Districts.
The question upon Cancellation Courts was introduced
by at least three lawyers advocated by several others
and although upon the by which the question
once lost the large body of the profession voted against
it. upon its final received the support OF hand
some majority OF that part OF the Convention oil whom
your correspondent frequently complains Several
who did speak upon the subject active and in
dustrous in the house and of the house in procur
ing its passage II is be hoped that all the good
that may have expected will be accomplished by
the Convention but regret TO querulous spirit
cndangcr the approval by the people OF the many good
things that have been done, by continually keeping IN
view subjects of minor importance, about which com
plants may be made.
1t is small that Executive Official patronage
may be broken up, Single Election Districts for both
branches OF the Legislature secured au efficient and
comparatively economical Judiciary system provided
by the adoption OF the amendments thus far agreed
upon. Yours &c SENECA