Weekly national intelligencer., 1846-11-21
QUALIFICATIONS OF LAWYERS.

1t was supposed by many simp ple-mnded people,
when they read the article of the constitution
relating 10 the qualifications of attorneys, that that
business was thrown open TO the public but Judge
Bronson il will be seen by the following decision,
which we find in the .Hibany Atlas, has very diff
ferent notion Of the instrument The provision Of
the amended constitution giving the right to practice
in the courts of this State every male citizen of
the age Of twenty-one years" of good moral char
acer and who possesses the requisite qualifications
of learning and ability" is, il will be seen, con-
strued so to maintain the former practice Of the
courts in this respect, and to be- in fact merely
constitutional enactment Of the rule of the court
SUPREME CouRr-ADMIssIoN ArToRSErs. The Su-
preme Court adjourned on Friday. The views of the
Court regard to the admission of attorneys pursuant the
provision of the constitution will be in the follow
opinions delivered by Chief Justice Bronson previous
adjournment
FRIDAr, NOVEMBER 8.
The Chief Justice said the attention of the Court had been
called TO the question whether the adoption OF the amended
constitution would render necessary proper change
the practice of the Court in relation 10 the admission of
toeys The provision Of the amended constitution this
subject is as follows
sAny male citizen Of the Of twenyone years. of good
moral character and who possesses the requisite qualifications
Of learning and ability shall be entitled admission prac
tice in all the courts OF the State"
This is precisely the standard Of sage character
learning and ability which this Court has always required
Of applicants for admission attorneys For the purpose Of
securing the proper degree Of learning persons intending
the profession have been required through regular
cerkship with a practcing attorney, and then submit to
public examination. The student has also been required
present certificates Of "good moral character during the
whole period Of his clerkshp.
Experience has sbundanty proved that thorough training
in the Office Of misunderstanding his Instructions read
ing the proper books and witnessing the practical application
Of legal prncpess the best if not the only of
acquiring such knowledge Of the law and the modes Of pro-
cedue will prepare the student upon the duties Of
the profession with credit himself The safety Of the pub
c The clerkship required by rules is
long for the digent STUDENT while is much short
for who gain admission Owing to variety of
the examination alone is by decisive Of the
qualifications Of the applicant and the principal reliance
on regular and full Of study and discipline
which required by the rules and practice of the
II is very why this matter made part
Of fundamental law Nearly three hundred attorneys
admitted annually and il hardly be supposed that
the Convention intended provide for rapid increase
Of the profession Nor could have been the principal OBJ
ect all the right TO become lawyers for
there corresponding provision in the constitution,
ing the right Of the people to engage in other professions
trades, or occupations II may be that the Convention in
tended enon upon the Court careful enforcement
of the rule which requires "good moral character and the
requisite qualifications Of learning and ability in those who
apply for admission That is matter in which the people
have deep interest But whatever may have been the
motive the trainers Of the constitution have ratified and
rmed the standard upon which the Court has always acted
and still remains duty Judge Of the character and
qualifications Of those who apply for admission.
We must discharge that duty in such not TO
act the people with army Of ignorant and nndscpned
lawyers There have been and may again be special
where will be proper relax the strict letter Of the existing
rules, but, present advised sufficient
for changing the general practice Of the Court this subject
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