New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-03-11
SOME LEADERS OF THE BAR
ANECDOTES OF WELI&kNOWN MEN.

ANECDOTES OF WELI-kNOWN MEN.
The Bar Of New-Yorl has undergone many ard
great charges since the days of Charles OConor Time
has not merely affected its personnel, but IT'S char
actcr. IFS methods, rs style Within fow years,
less than generation the profession ut tho law has
been radically changed that an advocate OF twenty
years ago, suddenly replaced In the courts Oh To-Day
wonld really have to learn his business anew Ihcrc
arc no longer any great leaders OF the har mon VINO
tower over their fellows in intellectual proportions 50
magnificent as TO render comparisons impossible. All
these striking figures have passed away Thclr names
and b,o are cherished memories and their places
arc vacant. Good lawyers, and lawyers that may
even be called great within certain lines, abound I'D
n,cnv but no character has developed in this decade
to whom the voice Of the Bar, to say nothing OF tho
voice Of the public. has conceded a foremost rank
There IS still a great opening for the man who can
dis play that splendid combination of talents and &C
ourenens which are essential to the highest success
in the practice of to day-a man whose cold, dscrin-
mating. lucid argument cOnvinces tho court "ho "
tho Same time his picturesque forclblc' iInpuSlvo
oratory fascnatcs and rcrsuadcs the jury whose sus
ges'lve, orderly questions draw nom his own VII
ncs,es lust what he wants and only what he wants.
While his adrolt and destructive cross examination
constantly commits and conuscs those OF his al
vcrsarv: a man who IS witty without being bippan''
quick but never tlresome In repartec, Learned ou'
not pondcrOuS, dramatic but not airy f"ii vi so"'
mcnt and judlcous In its display Iho pla'o io'
that man IS ready the man IS not yet 1hero mas
been some suggestion Of large Incomes that would az
crue TO certain Judges who have been long upon inc
pcucb - they would consent retire and act al the
heads Of great firms and such propositions have re
Gently been made to least two OF tho moro con
spcuous members Of the Supreme court.
The Bar as It stands. however, contains at least
doz.n men who easily hold tho second RANK II RANK
N la measured by ideals on the memory oil "hat mas
fvU,,. uf,an
been There men whose influence up"n J",'
f. extraordinary. men held by tho appellate courts IN
nc HIGHEST esteem men OF rare SIKH In the art OF eX-
animation and plenty Of good barrstcrS who can ac-
crntaly perform all tho functions OF an active prac-
titlonor.
perbans tbc most unique, n not the most impress
i,c e,,rc ai the Bar OF NcwYork IS Roscoe Conhling
lie OF the curly foicock and the majestic ir""h '''
Conhng is not in ordinary practice Ihero arc INNS
abroad Of great fees that have been PAID him III eA
cepional llticatoas. lie viii appear Tor judge III
TON In the sicWs art VIII case. and am l"ld lha' "'
retaining leo I'm that impending conflict was che'A
far s,5 COO Tho same + said To have been PAD
him bv tho rcn Telephone COMPANY. and tho I'M
prs,ion generally cvsts that tho cN senator CONSIDERS
fees Of 10000 very small potatoes lhi''h' an"
scarcely worth his whHc Hot that a'inail! hh""
Of any $4,000 fee which ho has spufhcd nor "l any
lowIy lnicau'. unable 10 offer r"r'' nj "h"'" H''
Sensitive nose has been d>dainiuly c'cva.cL II
would be safe say that h' IS employed rather i'r
m, strength OF ls name aud poi cal associations ana
rerff,fion then Tor any extraordinary legal attain
uicuts After ho resumed practice. upon H. T.
,fu,'s refusal ~ r,trrn Lin ~" trust De- had aban
aon.d. his ff-t case brought him Into controversy
with Mr. Cholfc. II vas on molon Tor non
SHIT AMI Ie addressed tle court for SIX hours. '"'
court listened rIul.cutly for tie speaker wa- an cN-
Sona,,r an orator 81 G 'u'iion. ani 1t was DIS h''
case. although motions for non suit rarely occupy
i.fr o.. ia u nr .