The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1888-09-07


not be done to get them the wages they had
back.
In almost every instance they said
no laryer would take their cases, for fear
Of the corporations. This state of affairs
aroused my sympathy. The young lawyers
did not dare to oppose these great mills even
In the cause Of justice, and the older lawyers
were too busy with larger cases to attend to
such trivial matters.
thought 1t all over. All my sympathies
were aroused. But, did dare to stand up
for what believed was right Could / sur
vive their hatred and their malignity, If !
tried to thwart these corporations in their
deviltry.
At last it resolved itself in my mind into
this, "Will you stand up for what you be-
lieve to be rightF' II WILL" said, and did
looked into the law and brought suit first
against one corporation, and then against
another, and another, and another, and, of
course, won them.
Soon, l found my reputation spreading
among these people, and almost before
knew it, was member of the legislature
from one of the districts of Lowell.
Still my income was not very large. One
morning, as sat in my Office, doing some-
thing, presume, but not very busy with law
matters, the vice president Of one of the
large corporations walked in. think moth
ing in the world could have surprised me
more than visit from such man. could
not guess what brought him there, yet l
could not believe his visit was for my benefit.
What does this call mean, I thought9 He
was the first to speak. After talking some
time about matters in general, nothing in
particular, he all the while appearing as if
wanting to say something and did not know
how to approach it, he looked about and re-
marked in the most casual way the smallness
of my library. This broke the ice. Soon we
were talking upon the prospects of young
lawyers who were forced to struggle along in
the world unaided.
Suddenly he turned, looked me full in the
face, and asked, "Mr Butler, how much a
year do you earng' Well, I didn't see the
drift Of things, but figured out as near as 1
could about how much a year had earned
on an average since had been at the bar.
don't remember how much l made it, but
whatever it was it makes me smile to think
of it now. should say it was somewhat
less than thousand year.
suppose Jou huVC OCCu
morning to see me here" said he "You
have been fighting our corporation and put
ting us to good deal of annoyance and ex-
pense. One of our legal advisers, Judge -,
you know, died a few weeks ago, and the
place is still vacant need hardly say there
are great many applicants for the position
Our directors held a meeting yesterday, and,
after considering the matter, authorized me
to offer you the position at the same salary
we pay Judge -, namely $4,000 year.
do not ask an answer now, but will call to-
morning at 10 o'clock for your
lecision Good morning, SIR"
think was never so surprised in my life
Well, to sum up, said the general in relating
his, was called upon the next morning
1t the hour appointed and 1 gave my decis-
on. need hardly tell you I slept not a
wink the previous night, for I thought con-
SANITY of the wealth, and $1,000 year was
wealth to me then, whatever it may be now
thought of the wealth within my grasp. l
Gould fit up comfortable home for my dear
I'D mother and an office and library for
myself, and felt as though 1 must accept
he place. On the other hand, l thought of
he fact that before took their cases these
operatives had been helpless, and no one
Jared to stand up for their rights. If for
'ook them could justify myself to my
conscience? Would 1 forsake thems I
made up my mind that would not, and SO
when the time came for my answer l said,
4 have decided not to take the position. 1t
S better that continue to fight you"
He left, said the general, and l often think
low lucky it was that I said no, and what a
narrow escape I had from being id
mall lawyer.
My lawyer friend continued:
Cutters wealth has been acquired outside
# his profession. You can hardly put your
niger on any money making enterprise in
he United States that he hasn't been in at
me time or another"
But his law practice is said to be over
300, 600 year, isn't ito"
"Who says So" asked the lawyer 81 doubt
Gen. Buffers annual income from his pro-
ession amounts to 100000 yearly. have |
cen it set as high as you named, and it is
'ery easy to talk big money, but most of us
ind it mighty hard to earn moderate sums.
Admitting that Butler gets any amount you
lease it proves nothing for the profession |
Who else gets anywhere near 600 year
It the Massachusetts, bare Nobody. l don't |
oppose there is man at the bar in this
commonwealth whose professional practice
lets him $4,000 per annum unless it be
Judge Hoar, or William g. Russell or
x-Governor Castor. I suppose Sydney
BARTLETT may have made more than that
early out Of his practice, and probably |
'eleg w. Chandler may have made
more, but do not consider them in active
ractice. Besides they are both wealthy
nen.
"But small as the incomes at the bar NAV
sem, they are princely fortunes when com
AIRED with the salaries paid our Judges.
Why, it is a common saying in the profession
hat the best lawyers can't afford to go on the
ench. The chief justice of the supreme ju-
icial court of the Commonwealth of Massa-
husetts receives only $500 per annum, and
as to work much harder, doubtless than be-
ore going upon the bench. His associates
eceive only $1,000 a year. Every one of
hose judges had to relinquish an actual prac-
ice much greater than the salaries they re-
eive
''There is hardly man at the bar who is
'orthy of judgeship Of any grade who
'ould not have to sacrifice more per annum
IAN he would receive as a salary. Just think
it, $500 for the chief justice of this COM
the pay of first-class book
eeper. l suppose Judge Abbott, Robert M.
[orse, Jr., Charles Levi Woodbury.. Henry