The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-20
WOMEN LAWYERS.

WOMEN LAWYERS.
The champions of women's rights and "ad-
vancement" are rejoicing over what they are
pleased to regard as a great victory achieved
by two members of the ambitious sisterhood
within the present month in New York and
Pennsylvania, respectively In each case the
triumph lay in obtaining admission into the
legal profession against strong opposition on
the part of those in authority. Miss Stone
man, of New York, fitted herself for practice
at the bar, so far as study of books is prepa-
was favorably reported by the committee,
but the court declined to estab.
fish precedent by admitting her as full
fedged attorney. Miss SLOVENIAN thereupon
applied to the Legislature and, happening to
have influential friends at her command, Sc
cured the passage of bill which authorized
her admission into any court of the State.
Mrs. Kilgore, of Philadelphia, underwent
similar experience, except that her struggle
against adverse prejudice was continued
through several years, only one judge in her
city proving friendly and daring to take the
responsibility Of permitting lawyer in petit
coats to plead in his court. The Supreme
Court Of the State finally rendered decision
in her favor, and now she is free to
take ..4e case of any clients who
may appear. These women have struggled
earnestly-would it be offensive to say imam
fully?' They have shown enterprise and
pluck, and no one, whether in sympathy with
their purpose or not, can fail to feel gratifed
with their success. Some, however, who
have noted the experience Of women lawyers
in other States, will not be able to join in
the jubilant anticipations of these two ladies
and their friends in regard to the rapidity and
certainty of their future course towards pros
perity and legal fame.
The "female lawyer" is not uncommon in
the West, most of the States making sex no
disqualification for this profession. In sew
eral of these instances the now favorable con-
dltions have been brought about by just
such persistent struggles as the two women
aforementioned have recently undergone.
In every such case the successful contestant
for equal rights received the congratulations
and plaudits of press and people, and brilliant
futures were mapped out for them. So far as
IL IL :
expectations has been realized. Some of the
women whose legal careers opened so auspi-
ciously are prominently before the public in
one way and another, but not ip the way that
was anticipated. One who may be called the
pioneer in this direction is editing law mag
azine in very acceptable way, but does no
/ legal practice. Another is very successful
lecturer on temperance. Another, whose
chances in her chosen calling were apparently
of the brightest, abandoned the lecture-feld
to act as deputy United States marshal
Still another spends much of her time in lect-
uring, with occasional forays into the polit-
ical arena as a presidential candidate. These
women cannot be regarded as having made
failures in life, but such eminence as they
have attained has not been by means of their
profession. Success cannot be reached by
man or woman in any calling where time and
attention is given for one-half Of the year to
other matters. Any man who is trying to
make living or reputation through his legal
practice will testify that to go off on lecture
tour for three months, or six months in the
year is equivalent to failure.
Why these women have not succeeded after
all visible obstacles were removed is question
which those most concerned and most expe-
rienced can best answer 1t may be that it is
accidental. Not all male lawyers become
prominent, and not all '.stick to their last
and possibly too much has been expected Of
the female pioneers in the field Possibly,
again, the explanation limited at in very
clever story called "The Lady Lawyer re-
Gently published in Lippencott is the correct
one. This lawyer fails first because few would
be litigants have sufficient confidence in her
to become her clients and again, because
those clients whom she can call hers lose faith
Just before the moment Of triumph and com