The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-05-18
A PRACTICAL TEST.

While pettifoggers and shysters are
bitterly opposing the entrance Of wom-
en- into the profession of the law, be-
cause in the event of their presence in
courts these could not then be made the
slums for vulgarity and obscenity that
they now too often are, and learned
judges upon the Supreme bench are de-
uying the applications of talented and
efficient women lawyers to practice in
their courts, ostensibly because it will
render them unwomanly, but in reality
because they do not wish to divide hon
ors and emoluments with them, quiet,
earnest, educated women are yearly fit
ting themselves for and entering upon
the practice of law as their chosen pro-
fession. Those of their brethren in the
profession who "sit in the seat of the
scorner" are quietly ignored; custom is
braved in its most belligerent strong
holds; "squint-eyed prejudice" is passed
in silence by, and these women law
yers first prepare themselves thoroughly
and understandingly for business, and
then go bravely forward in its accom-
plishment. There are now working
under the firm name of 'Perry &, Mar
tin" in the city of Chicago, two young
women graduates Of the Law School of
Michigan University, whose scholarly
requirements and legal lore have won
/ for them already a name and place in
the practice of law. Misses Fredrika
Perry and Ellen A. Martin entered the
school named in the fall of 1873, each
| having previously read for two years in
the offices of lawyers of large practice.
/ Both had been intrusted with RESPONSE
bilities of Office, and one had served as
salaried clerk.
Thus to superior natural ability was
added a liberal literary education aud
the advantages Of practical Office work.
1t is not surprising that, entering school
under these auspices, they should CON-
plete the course with honor and take
foremost rank in their class.
A friend who has long known them
says that they care possessed of more
than ordinary charms of womanhood
and have relied only on untiring sys.
tematic labor for success" They are
receiving both patronage and encour.
agement, and have taken their place il
business as serenely as if croakers were
not proclaiming their chosen avocatioI
"unwomanly," and men in the profes
sion, from the Chief Justice of tht
, United States to the shyster who ex
pounds in execrabIe English the loca
laws in the County Court of obscure 10
calities were renotrenderingt themselves ri
r diculous and disgusting their hearers b,
attempting to define "woman's sphere.
One practical test like this will accom-
| plish more for the enlargement of WON
ans field of labor than volumes of the
Ories, however true and fine spun, cal
: do. That there are sitting now in tn
, colleges and high schools of Oregon
2 young women with comprehensiv
r minds and active brains who will, er
yet another decade shall have passed
+ furnish practical test of what woma
r can accomplish in this profession, W
know. The brave pioneers who hav
I gone before them will render their pat
D more easy and pleasant, but their sue
4 cess will be none the less sure.
1 Think of it, girls, and take courag
q from such examples of culture and tn
o success it brings, as are found in tn
I business firm of "Perry and Martin, Al
9 torneys-at-Law."