The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-03-20
SENSIBLE.

CGNElDAGs
Judge Morrison, in giving his opinion
previous to issuing a writ requiring the
trustees Of the Hastings law school to
admit women as students, said:
There are. perhaps, many things connected
with cases which would disgust a woman, but
the court has nothing 10 do with that. II is
sufficient for the court that the legislature au-
thorizes women 10 practice lew. That act was
pending in the legislature at the time when
the act 20 establish the Hastings college OF
Law was also pending. u Is not Tor this court
10 inquire into the policy Of such legislation
At the session Of Congress just closed, law
was passed authorizing women 10 practice law,
aud the telegraph informs us that Mrs Lock
wood has been admitted 10 the United states
Supreme Court. The new State constitution.
which is 10 be submitted 10 the people for rati-
hcauon, contains clause that no person on
account OF sex shall be disqualified from enter
ing any profession or occupation. The prcsI-
dent Of the convention, J. P. Hoge. and one Of
the delegates, 5. NJ. Wilson, are defendants in
this action. And this convention says that
women ought 10 have the same facilities 10
practice law that men possess. It seems to be
the Intention Of the law 10 put women on the
same footing in this respect as men. II is un-
necessary 10 discuss the influence women
would have over college students.
This is the exact basis upon which
every decision involving the rights Of
any class of citizens should rest. A
discussion Of the expedieney Of any un-
tried measure, from whatever stand
point, is at best built upon grounds
purely imaginary. Thus, to say that
the admission Of women to the practice
Of law will work specialties, either good
or bad, is presumptuous and visionary,
and should have no weight as to
whether they be allowed to enter and
earn their livelihood in an honorable
profession. Justice, not expediency,
should be the watchword in all matters,
as it is reasonably sure that the former,
ifallowed sway, would control the lat
ter. They tell US, as did Judge Ryan Of
Wisconsin, when denying the applica-
tion OF Miss Lavina Goodell to practice
in the Supreme Court in that State, that
the practice Of law will tend TO render
woman all that is coarse and unwom-
anly; that il will initiate against her
highest social and domestic good, etc,
etc. How much more sensible to dis
pose Of all this as did Judge Morrison by
saying, "it is not for the court 10 in
quire into the policy Of such legislation;
il is sufficient to know that the legisla-
ture authorizes women to practice law"
The question Of expediency, together
with all social questions, will settle it.
self, and men act the part Of wisdom
who recognize the fact that women Will
choose for themselves as to what they
can compass, and as to whether Il is
womanly for them TO follow the lead
Of their talents in any pursuit. 1t seems
almost strange to contemplate the day
when women will act their part in life
unchallenged by men, even as men now
act their part unchallenged by women,
concerning the eEpediency Of doing
what they are able, willing and anxious
to do honorably and according to the
dictates Of their own conscience, Oi
" hNA NE LlE pun bl illEiI wv II uEGE5el'
ties. Yet the day is dswniDg, aud eact
triumph like the one recently accorded
10 Mrs. Foltz and Mrs Gordon in Cali
fornia, and Mrs. Lockwood in the Con
gress Of the United States, greatly has
tens its approach. To the faithfu
watchers upon the tower Of liberty th,
roseate hue of the early morning ever
now appears, gliding humanity with it,
softradiance. The opportunity to "prov,
all things and hold fast to that which is
good" will put the chimeras Of preju.
dice to flight, and to the peremptory
challenge, "Watehman, what Of tn,
night?" will come the exultant answer
Behold, the night is vanished; the day
is broke which never more shall close
the day Of universal liberty"