The New York herald., 1876-02-07
"a THOROUGH LEGAL EDUCATION. "

To EDITOR THE HERALD:-
The matters discussed In the letter Of Mr. Lewis L.
Dclaied, published February a. by one of your con.
temporaries concerning Thorough Legal Educa-
ton" in the law schools In 1860 submitted to the
Court Of Appeals, in Cooper's case and determined.
The opinion OF the Court is to be found in % ~ Re-
ports page OF, where Judge Selden remarked :-"The
for passing the act is apparent Columbia COL
ege being institution Of established reputation and
having law department under the charge OF able pro-
fessor 8 the students in which department we're not
only subjected to a formal examination by the Law
Committee Of the institution, but to a certain definite
period Of study before being entitled TO diploma
graduates, the Legislature evidently, and no
doubt justly, considered this examination, to-
gether with the preliminary study required
by She act as fully equivalent as test OF legal acquire
to the ordinary examination by the Court and
rendering the latter examination to which definite
period of preliminary study essential unnecessary
and burdensome. The act was obviously passed with
aeference solely the learning and ability OF the appl
rant, and for the mere purpose Of substituting the cx
cmination by the Law Committee OF the college for
that Of the Court IL could have had other object
and hence greater scope should be given 70 It's pro-
visions"
The only inquiry which ought therefore, to be made
is whether the law schools are carrying out the duties
imposed on anoua them But , Mr. Delaa9Id does
the judges complain "that they know the members
OF the Bar and their qualifications and they feel and
suffer from the Ignorance or incompetency Of those
who practise before them" No one class Of persons
is mentioned IN this charge 1t indefinite, and there
lore means uOlnnB ne says IN no case IS any
practical knowledge required Of a graduate" This is
an apparent mistake. Al Columbia Law School thor
ough drilling OF student Is had upon the code Of pro-
cedure and the rules OF the courts besides upon other
branches ofthe law. Arguments in moot cases had
weekly the Professor presiding in which the students
compelled TO participate in their order. Law clubs
also exist In which additional debates questions Of
law frequently take place; and in the daily OF
recitation the Professor states the facts and puts the
question for advice in the manner as a client
would DO IN applying TO his counsel for advice per-
picking case.
But Is there time enough allowed for the work Ex-
perence OF the Board OF Trustees Of the Columbia Law
School has found that every subject be comfortably
studied and reviewed during period Of eighteen
months 70 two years. and that many Of the students
have time enough additional 70 and do spend IL In law
yers' Offices, and in carrying little law business
thor account, which IN fact IS encouraged by tho
professor who readily gives the pupil advice upon any
difficult question that may disturb him in his case.
We therefore, that instruction In the science OF at
torneyshp well in the art Of counsellor 10 afforded
and impaired in most liberal way. Then what other
qualification is left4 The student must have natural
ability III person lacks that and succeeds In passing
the college examination well as tho lynx eyes OF the
committee on character appointed by the Court he
his fate the hands Of discerning public
who will not give him employment, and will let him
drop into oolivion. CHARLES II. SMITH.
NEW YORK, Feb. s. 1876.