Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-04-07
TIE weman Question in the Court OF
Claims.

PROCEEDINGS on MRS. LoCKwoop's APPrICA-
TIoN TO BIZ ADMITTED AS AN ATTORNEY OF
ThAT COURT.
At the opening of the Court OF Claims yester-
day motion was made in the usual form for
the admission of an attorney to the bsr of that
court, whereupon MIR. Hosmer lof the arm OF
ChlI u an * hosmer) arose, and said that he de-
sired 70 move the admission of another attor-
Dey, Mrs. Belva A. Lockwood, a member in
good standing snd practice OF the bar of tn.
District OF Colombia. lie then beckoned Mrs
Lockwood forward and presented her to the
court. Chef Justice Drake sad this applira-
ton was not contemplated by the law or the
rules OF the court, and read a rule req airing
II at an attorney TO be al united must be n, IA
of good moral character. Mrs Lockwood there
upon spoke for herself, and stated to the court
that she had carefully examined the Law witaout
nnd NJ therein any thing disc ualIfying a p-ac-
tsing attorney from admission on the ground
OF sex. The chief justice said that the court
would examine tue matter and reuder a de-
cislon next Monday. Mrs. Lockwood said that
course would be satisfactory to her If mean
while, she could file the papers and proceed to
tabe testimony in the case wherein she decided
to appear in cOurt, as her client was in town
waiting TO go on with the claim. The court
granted leave to file the papers, and INFORM I'd
Mrs. Lockwood that IL the case was pressing
she might appear again to-day, by which time
decision might be reached. It il understood
that the claim for which she wishes to appear
amounts TO nearly 500, 900.
To-DAY's PROCEEDINGS.
Mrs. Lockwood appeared again in court this
morning, accompanied By her husband and Mr.
j. h. h. Wilcox. just be ore calling the frs,
case for trial, Judge Drake addressed Mos
Lockwood, who sat at the extreme rear of tne
court room, aid said that the court had not
been able to decide yet on the question of her
admission, but would do 50 as soon as prscti-
cable She thereupon advanced to the bar
ard asked that leave be granted her to take.
testimony. The Chief Justice replied that 1.-The
court could not recognize her in any way a. an
attorney at-law till sue had been admitted bat
could proceed
Mrs. LOckwoOd.-"Her own name."l Her
name, then. If Mrs. Lock wood wa herself the
claimant, she had a right to Ape AT in person;
otherwise she was at liberty to act for her cli.nt
outside the court, under a warrant of attOrncg
but not TO appear before the court for any par
pose: There were difficulties 10 the way Of ad-
uniting married lady to practice You have
q husband, have you not? Mrs. lockwood
YES" She indicated the Doctor by a graceful
wave OF the hand; whereupOn that gentlem ln
advanced ard placed himself beside her.I Tnese
difficulties the court has not yet been able to
consider"
LIVELY COLLoQIY
followed, Mrs. Lock wool stating q at personal
ly she cared very little about the question SO long
as her clients business went right, and askinJ
the Chief Justice to infOr m her VIII At course She
had better pursue In order TO prevent her clients
interests suffering by delay. This j ldge DIR AXE
teem TO think was no part OF his duty, but he
nnally advised her to carry on outside proc ed
lngs, take testimony, etc, in her clients name
without using the name of an attorney. This
Mrs. lockwood appeared to consider satisfacto
~, and she, with her friends and a number or
Interested spectators, withdrew. Eek Chief jus
ice Barley, OF Ohio; ex Judge Hale, of New
YORK; Mr.. q. F. Peck, of this city, and ssum
Der Of other prominent members of the bar
were present.
In case Mrs. Lockwood is denied admission BIZ
the court, her friends express the intention OF
appealing to Congress for tue passag of ad..
laratory act or resolution to the effect that the
law is not designed to authorize the exclusion
on account of sex of any practicing attorney in
good standing. The case OF which Mrs Lock
wood has charge, was referred to the Court OF
Claims by the Navy department. Mrs l. hsy-
ing had charge Of it before that department.