The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-04
SPIRIT OF TEE PRESS.
Editorial Opinions OF the Leading Journals
Upon Current TOpics-OOmpIicd Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.
REFORM AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR.

It is to be hoped that great practical good
will result, and that quickly, from the mea-
sures which have been taken for the reform
of the New Bork Bar. Two things are per-
fectly obvious-that these proceedings have
not been adopted a day too soon, and that
the reformers have a difficult enterprise be-
fore them. Externally there are, Of course,
no obstructions. The stumbling blocks will
present themselves within the boundaries of
the legal profession. The members Of the
bar who have met to consider the need of
radical changes are thoroughly in earnest,
but they must know better than other people
how little il would be to the interest of many
of their professional brethren TO see the pro-
posed reform accomplished. A large proper
tion of advocates would prefer to carry on q
business subj ject to no criticism or supervision.
They are quite satisfied if not with their pre-
sent profits, at least with the way in which
those profits are made. It would greatly inter-
fere with their connection" TO compel them
to conform with any code of honor save the
very peculiar one which they invented for
themselves, and which is based upon the ideas
of their worst clients.
The reformers will have to fight against
the open opposition of some, and the silent
and sullen resistance of many more But
they ought not to be deferred by this pros
.pect from endeavoring to free their profession
from the dark and grievous scandal which
has gathered SO thickly upon it. No respect
able man would voluntarily rest under the
odium which is popularly associated with
the New York bar. The public cannot
rightly apportion the blame between indi-
viduals 1t can only look at affairs of this
kind in the mass and from the outside. 1t
has the best of reasons for knowing that
never did bench and bar stand lower in the
estimation of civilized mankind than the
Bar and bench of New York city. The men,
bers who do not deserve to be involved in the
general condemnation owe it to themselves
to come forward and let their dissatisfaction
be known. The judges may look upon the
act with displeasnre, but the time is fast
coming when the bench itself will be unable
to exist in its present degraded state before
the torrent of indignation which is rising
steadily against it.
With regard to the precise means by which
the bar is to be purified, the members who
conferred together on Tuesday did wisely to
begin at the beginning. They put forward
the claim that they ought to have more con-
troll over admissions to the bar, and that the
laws (which have made access to the bar as
easy an to the theatre" ought to be abolished.
This touches the root of the evil. When any
body and everybody can be member of the
bar, what distinction or honor can it confer
What security is there against the admission
of unworthy and incapable men? A positive
and unerring safeguard of this nature it
would, of course, be very hard to devise. The
bar in all countries has contained men who
were a disgrace to it. But il is quite possible
to set up partial test few years ago it was
found that a preliminary examination kept
away very undesirable class of applicants
from the English bar. 1t had formerly been
the custom to admit any one to an Inn of
Court as a student, provided the applicant
paid certain fees and complied with certain
ID..A flz.. L.. ~...o
tion was ordered before the applicant could
be admitted even as a student. 1t was not a
very severe examination; but it acted as a sort
of filter, and kept out men of the very class
who in this city flock to the bar for the ex-
press purpose of making it an instrument of
corruption. An extension of that system here
would certainly be productive of good results.
Furthermore, it is quite practicable to place
in the hands of the bar itself greater power to
punish those who are bringing it to disgrace.
The reformers must agree upon the exact ma
chinery to be employed, but the end is as
suredly not unattainable.
No matter upon what measures they deter
mine, we cannot but wish them success. A
noble profession has been dragged in the
dust, and the injury which the public has
sustained in consequence can scarcely be
overestimated. A man who consults with
lawyer ought to be able to trust in his homo
physician. Every one knows that there are
many members of the bar here who are s,
trusted. The speakers at the meeting Oh
Tuesday night, and the names placed upor
the committee, are examples of this highe
class. But there are also lawyers occupying
high position who have sold for mess O
pottage the heritage which they ought +
have preserved They cannot barter thei
good names without suffering the penalt
in the loss of public esteem. 1t is an advo
Gates duty to give his services in all case
which do not involve his personal dishonoI
but there are members of the New York ba
who have disregarded that limitation. Th
time has arrived for making them sensible G
the offense they have committed The con
munity is at length aroused to full perceI
ton of the dangers which menace it in const
quence of corrupt judiciary and deprave
bar. The bonds which hold civilized societ
together are going to pieces. We are livin
as if in state of siege, our masters bein
the outcasts of every nation and people G
the face of the earth. All that happens to
murderer now is to be kept in gentle oonfn
ment at the public expense. The public, '
may depend upon it, will have no more {
this vast abuse Every fresh crime stirs U
a deeper feeling. With civil justice it is IL
same. The people are weary of seeing judg
and counsel joining with chartered swindle
in one common league against law and righ
It was inevitable that an end should come
go monstrous "a confederation We belle
that above the din and confusion which
present engage the mems attention we alrea
discern the beginning of the end.
THE REIGN OF CRIME.
FROM Ghe Herald