New-York tribune., 1876-02-04
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
A THOROUGH LEGAL EDUCATION.

a IHOROltIl LEGAl4 f1JttAllON.
VIGOROUS APPEAL FOR THE REPEAL OF THE
PRIVILEGES or THE LAW SCHOOLS.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Tho Judiciary Committee Of the Senate now
have under advisement resolution Of the Conyen-
ton of the Supreme Court Justices asking for the
repeal of the privileges conferred upon three law
schools whereby the graduates of those schools are
admitted to practice without any examination The
mere tact that these Justices should come forward
TO ask this repeal proves the necessity OF IT,
They represent all parts Of the State; they know
the members of the bar and their qualifications; !;
and they feel and suicr from the ignorance or in
competency of those who practice before them
Their resolution undoubtedly expresses the
general feeling Of the procession. Since 1871
l,2s7 lawyers were admitted from the schools
without public examination. In two OF these
schools students may be admitted or nine months
study; in on eighteen months; IN another When
ever they can pass an examination. In no case is
any practical knowledge required OF the graduate.
Three Of the schools put forward as an inducement
70 students that "nO examination and no particular
course of previous study arc necessary for admis-
sion" Is il likely that studentswho answer such An
invitation would be thorough lawyers at the end of
nine monthsf Indeed the Albany school virtually
admits that the law is wrong by requiring one years
study elsewhere besides the nine months in school,
Colombia College does the same by requiring that
hereafter applicants Tor admission shall be quallhed
10 enter the Frcsl man class of that College, aud in
ts last catalogue has dropped the unhappy sentence
quoted above.
But Notwithstanding these tacit admissions that
the laws are wrong the prof sors cling TO the prv-
lcgcs of the schools and in the arguments reported
TO have been addressed to Ike Judiciary Committee
claimed that the schools afford better methods for
legal education than can be had elsewhere. IL may
bo admitted that properly organized school has the
greatest advantages. In fact, the Committee of the
Bar Association report that if practicable we
would require that all candidates for the bar should
he trained at such schools Put this is no reason
why the schools should have these privileges. The
two subjects are entirely distinct and should not be
confornded. Why should man who can afford to
pay tuition fees be admitted in nine months without
examination while one who cannot must serve
CLERK ship of three years and then be publicly exam
ined Why should the University and Albany
schools admit III nino months, CoiulnDa Te-
quire eighteen months, and Hamilton be ure-
stIictcd No can be assigned ior
these differences, any than for the existence OF
the privileges. Tie whole theory OF these laws Is
wrong. Lawyers are public officers and no private
body should admit to public Office. Tie court
which can discipline and disbar should alone have
the richt to admit them. But a. the professors are
Of the opinion that total repeal Of thc Sc privileges
would greatly injuro the schools and ~ they are
certainly valuable aids to students, the principle
miplt bc waived. and the laws amended in such
manner as 10 prevent the mi-chiefs now felt, and AT
tho samc time recognize the importance OF the
schools. With this view the Committee OF the
Bar Association has recommended thar the
laws Ice amended IA 10 require two
years study in the law schools. and
one year in an oiicc. This would equalizc the
periods Of study in all the schools, and wond secure
q drrr,e of practical knowledge before admission.
Three years study would tlen be required alike oi
all classes With these amendments the schools
might De- permitted 20 retain their privileges. thG'r
any circumstances their students ought to be- able
10 bear Rigid examination and IT Is to be irer' td
that the schools are unwilling to demonstrate their
faith ia the instruction they give by submitting
th,ir students 10 impartial examiners. ii they ale
~ thorouply qualified as It is claimed. their public
examinations would have the excellent effect oi
raising the whole standard. LEHIs l.. DELHIEID.
tt.c. OrE, jan. 20, 1870.