New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-21
TILE RAR ASS0cIAT1oNS INF1UENCE.

| We have a grave reverence for the learned
profession of the law, and a profound respect
for its leading lights in this city. We have
on the Bench many able jurists in spite OF
the fact, which must be confessed, that our
system of selection is not the best calculated
to command the highest talent or the greatest
prObity. At the same time it is also an I'M
questioned fact that the legal profession of
this city is crowded, at the bottom, with as
ignorant and INSCRIPTIONS classes as even
London can boast. The publication of the
Bench and the eradication of rascally lawyers
is a work 90 which an association of lawyers
of New-York City several years ago dedicated
itself. The Bar Association grew up under
the influence of the excitement following the
exposure of the corruption of Barnard, Nc
Gum and others, about 1872; and for a
time it did good and efficient work.
OF late years its influence has been impaired
The Association was greatly and most I'M
Justly damaged in character by the detalca-
ton and flight of its then President, ex-Judge
Barrett. Its inactiOn, its apparent iethargy
when other reform forces were at work, still
further impaired its influence. Of later years
the only bubble use to which the Association
has apparently been put was to bring charges
for political purposes against county officials
which were subsequently ignored for political
purposes and to whitewash the character of
a candidate who, it was claimed was united
TO be Judge. None of these acts were cal
cuated to increase the influence of the Bar
Association and now that a disposition to
aid in some much-needed reforms is manifest
ed. there ought to be a reformation and re-
organization of the Bar Association itself.
This Association, replaced on its former foot
ing, can do great amount of good In regu-
lating the profession as well as IN influencing
the Bench in maintaining its dignity and pu-
ritv. 1t could by its frown alone Danish from
our courts many OF the sharp practices OF I'M
scrupulous lawyers, and finally drive such
practitioners from the profession. Lawyers
as often try sharp practice" on each other
as upon their clients and the courts and re-
sort to bubbles which in plain language out
side of court room would be called lies. There
is no profession or businessmen even that OF
the stock broker the word of man
does not go further and carry more weight
among his felow-members than in the
legal profession. A great many bad men
have, however, crept into the profession,
and some have been unwisely restored to it
after impeachment and disbarment for
offences proved against them. OF these latter
the Bar Association ought to have the power
to relieve the public and the courts. The
open scandal of candidates for judgeships pay
ing large sums for political support for Office,
lately revived by the case of Judge Truax, is
one which has prevailed for many years, and
probably will continue so long as we endure
an elective judiciary; but it is blot which
an influential organization of our best lawyers
can do much to remove. Before the Bar As
ISOLATION, however, can hope to accomplish
any of these much reforms it must
raform itself