Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-12-29
New York Correspondence of the Springfield
Republican.
Some of tne Prominent New York
Lawyers.

Some of tfae Prominent New York
Lawyers.
There are about thirty-five hundred
lawyers doing business in the New York
courts, who may be divided into three
classes, according to age and experience.
First there are the veterans, who have
gained all the honors and profits possible
in the profession, but who are oppressed
with years, and have retired from active
practice. OF these, Charles O'Connor and
James W. Girard are types. The first is
now past his SEVENTEEN year, and is the
acknowledged Nestor of the New York
bar of unimpeachable integrity, and the
highest ability. He is now seldom seen
in court, and has retired on his we'll earn
ed laurels. Girard, whose withdrawal
from practice, short time since, was cele-
brated by complimentary dinner given
by the whole bar, began his professional
career as early as 1922, yet he still re-
tains his faculties unimpaired.
David Dudley Field, though hardly old
enough to be called veteran, is one of
the ablest lawyers in New York, and by
far the largest practice. His receipts as
counsel for the Erie railroad company
alone, are understood to have exceeded
100000 in single year, and his regular
income is enormous.
William M. Evarts has a national repu-
tation. and his appointment to be attorney
general of the United States was well
deserved compliment to his legal abilities.
His personal appearance is most peculiar.
He is very tall, and seems as thin as a
rail-a mere backbone with brain attach
ed. HIS manner is quiet and pleasant.
be stands next to O'Connor for legal &C.
quirements and integrity, and whom FREQ
from professional cares, is uncommonly
social E. W. Stoughton is self made
man, and, according to common report,
was brought up to a mechanical pursuit.
He has been very successful as a lawyer,
and makes a speciality of patent cases.
He was the personal friend and counsel of
Capt Ericsson, the inventor of the caloric
engine, and builder of the first monitor,
and at later date, he was engaged in sew
eral important India rubber suits. His
income is said to be over $4,000, and he
spends it in the most luxurious manner.
He has an elegant house on Fifth avenue,
where he gives magnificent entertain
ments, to which several times each year,
the judges and leading members of the
bar are invited. The house is kept with
great display, including liveried servants
and other features, and reminds one of
European state.
The second class of lawyers contains
men like the late Granville T. Jencks,
who fully carried out Webster's maxim.
''live well, work hard, and die poor"
A II 9 III oh o,.l 4
Barrett, Brinsmaid & Barrett.
Brown, Hall & Vanderpool. These are
men of capacity, and have a large practice
with incomes ranging s high as S15O,O00
and over.
The third class of lawyers, referring
solely to ages, consists of men like Joseph
FL. Choate, John E. Parsons, w. E. Curtis,
George Tieknor Curtis, A r. Lawrence,
J. E. Burrill, Elbridge F. Gerry, Luther
B. Marsh, all of whom reputable and
capable, and are not mixed up with the
which have disgraced the bar in
late years. They have incomes of from
ten to fifty thousand dollars. The real
estate lawyers are never seen in court,
and confne themselves wholly TO Office
business, such as drawing wills, searching
titles, couveyancing, etc, which is very
profitable. Mann 81 Parsons, Wetmore
s Bourie. Dewitt, Underhill & Ulshoeffer,
are among the leading firms in this line,
and make from $15, 900 upward per year.
The men who control the bulk of the pay
ing business in our courts are Brown,
Hall & Vanderpool, W. II. Bartlett,
Joseph Fl. Coleman and Ira Shaffer, the
last three being especial porteges of Judge
Barnard D. P. Ingram, Jr., Graft Nath-
IN and Tom G. Fields, who, though not
remarkable for legal attain
nents, are favorites of the ring and the
corrupt judges, and are, consequently, Sc
Iected as counsel in many spits before
these judges. Their incomes run from
twenty five to fifty thousand dollars. Be-
sides these lawyers, William NJ. Tweed,
IT., A. j. Smith, Rufus Z. Andrews and
others, are constantly appointed as
referees and receivers of property, and are
making small fortunes in this way yearly.
The legal charge of referee is three dol
ars sitting, but the custom is to charge
INV price they please.
The most important cases in the crimi
lal practice in our courts are conducted
oy four lawyers, who rank in about the
ollowing order: John Graham, Henry l..
Clinton, Charles S. Spencer and W. f |
Howe. The first is a brother of the late |
David Graham, one of the ablest criminal
awyers that ever lived, and is himself
nan of great talent, particularly as q |
peaker before jury. John Graham has
wonderful command of language, and |
when made angry, which is often the |
'ase, owing to his temper, and high sense
If his own dignity, he is bitterly personal
md defamatory, as was shown through |
he Mcfarland trial. His morals are far
rom irreproachable, and his high flown |
address, about virtue and women at the |
bove trial, consequently, sounded very
Ibsurdly TO those who knew anything of |
lis personal history. He is very strong
nd is said to be one of the best boxers in |
he city, which may account for his pug
Iacity and eagerness to whip every one
Who differs with him. He once gave J.
!. Bennett a sound thrashing, and since
hen Graham's name has never appeared
n the Herald. During the whole of the
Mcfarland trial, he was mentioned SIM
ly as ''the counsel for the defendant"
Henry l.. Clinton is much more respect
BILE than his professional colleagues; has
large practice, and is prominent local
being leader of the young
emocraoy. Charley Spencer. as he is
ommonly called, is an active republican
olitician, but is perfectly unscrupulous.
lie is very smart, and is an excellent off
and speaker, full of energy, good ma
ured, witty and apt at retort.
w. II. Howe is a leading specimen of a
'ombs lawyer and has the worst kind of
practice. He is short, stout, and
the same build as Fisk, whom here.
embles in some points, as in wearing dia-
londs, and looks like prize.fghter. His
flee is opposite the Tombs on Center
;raet, and is covered by huge staring
gins to attract clients. Howe is a favor
Q of the ring, and hence stands well
18th the police justices.
The expenses of conducting an ordinary
lit in Newls York. Icourt are pretty
eavy. In suit, say for five thousand
ollars, which is above the average
mount, there will be, first the retainer,
arying from $50 to $500, according to
,e counsel employed. In great cases in
diving vast interests, the retaining fees
hoap ANONYMOUS G-o |