The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-03-14
Professional Services and
Charges.

Elsewhere in this parer Is publish ed pre-
amblc aud resolutions OF the Lancaster Bar,
establishing a uuilo IN rate of min inum charges
for certain services specified. As the subjcct
matter involved is one of general interest. effect.
ing he entire community, we feel justified IL
making allusion thereto in our editorial col
umus.
We do not assume to SPEAK for the gentle
men of the Bar, for they are all quite able to
answer for themselves, and it il only as a meas
urc Of public concern that we al,CGe to it at all
The object aimed at 10y the members orthe Bar
is not, we conceive, so much TO introduce in.
novatons ia the rates Of charges, az to secure
some compcnSOiioa OF for all services rendered
1t is fact well known by the entire commu
nifty that there is vast GcaI OF gga,ujtous scr
vice performed hy the members of the legal
profession. We do not say that tie lawyers are
alone IN this, for it is well known tia: the min.
is;ers and doctors are also accust omed to work
for nothing; but the point to which we wish
to direct attention is, whether il is right for
them TO do so? Is it expected that a man
shall devote his means aud talents to the ac-
Quircmcnt Of profession, and then, in ertain
classes of professional service, deal out to the
public gratuitously that which he had acquired
by hard study and necessary pecunary expen-
6iture' Or should he establish some uniform
rate for ali kind Of services which comes with.
in his sphere, like the Merchant fixes upon his
commodities Or the mechanic upon his labor
hat tfaara ha t,,,f.,,
answer to this question. The lawyer is, we
conceive, as much entitled to compensation for
professional advice as the merchant il for his
goods, or the lIbo.er for his hire. We imagine
it will puzzle the most aStute rcasoncr to show
the contrary, the many vu;sar prejulicies agant
the profession to the contr-ry notw iths;aud,
ing.
The next point to which VIC wish TO direct
attention is, whether the public is in any degree
injured by an arrangement OF this kind. Com.
mon sense, to say nothing of business expert
encc, will teach a man that paid service is al,
ways the safest and most reliable. Is it expec
ted that man who works fer no thing, shall
observe the same particularly in the perform.
ancc OF his service as a man who works for a
fee or n reward? If he gives you sovenlv
work, or unsafe counsel, who is the most to
blame for it-you whose object was to sponge
upon his resources, or he who had no interest
in rendering faithful service? Both are
doubtless TO lame, and the remedy is plain
pay for what you require and then yor can
command proper and lawful service, and you
cali make the party responsible if you do not
obtain it, The lawyers, we presume, are will.
ing to abide by this rule and tn answer for their
errors. (where they are paid,) to the sam ex.
tent that man, in any other business or voca.
ton, would be answerabIo fora failure in that
which he has undertaken to perform.
e If the rules which have been laid down are
adhered to- we believe they will operate as all
advantage, not only to the profession, but to
the country at large. q