The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-08
TRIALS OF A PROFESSION.
A LEADING LAWYER NARRATEs THE
STORY OF HIS REGRETS.
He Tells Why His Memphis Brethren
Should Have Their Licenses Revoked
Lawyers and Great Corporations
Three Classes.

How is it tine lawyers OF Memphis, some
of whom are the peers of any in the
country, are not rcveling in luxurious ease
and comfort
II this question has been asked once, 1t
has probably been asked thousand times.
Not that the leading barristers OF thecity
are fit subjects for the poor-house- by
any manner OF means. But none OF them
are in an easy and self-satisfed condition,
financially, that leads them into desire
for responsibilities where honor alone is
the chief emolument. Neither is their
condition such that they can adopt the
free and easy style OF accepting only those
cases where princely fees are held out.
The APPEAL reporter, in a conversation
with an attorney whom Memphis points TO
with pride for his acumen and great store
house OF information on all the fine points
involved in his profession, doubtless heard
the reason for this notable state OF affairs
"Darned il we all should not have our
licenses revoked" he exclaimed. 81 do
not know a member OF the Memphis bar
who should escape punishment for past
follics too numerous TO mention. We
struggle hard from day to day, fight and
win many important cases in the highest
courts OF the country, and at the end of
the year find ourselves little better off than
when we began. None OF us have what
might properly be termed a respectable
competency"
| "Why don't you save what you make,
them" inquired friendly bystander.
THAT isn't it," reioined the attorney,
1--WE don't make il. We are too moderate
| in our charges and not strict enough in
| security and collections. AS nm example
] will cite You Just one case where | made
a Ounce of myself had for client q
man at the head OF great and wealthy
corporation, as thought. II was regular
corporation business, too. did the
hardest work OF my life on the case, and
won. Part OF the business was the draw
ing of a mortgage for -, 100000. Had any
Of those eastern lawyers had the case they
would have charged $4,000, and received
il, too, because security must have been
given beforehand. didn't receive $40
for my services"
Cant you make II out Of the corpora.
tom"
"In these corporation cases you do not
really know who are your clients and
whom You are fighting Interests are 80
mixed and involved that you may mako
one Of your clcveest and best legal argtl.
mcnls and strike an interest OF some Of
your clients. Then again, have had cascs
OF this sort and never knew who my indi.
vidual clients were. tell you the law is
a great profession"
"Wcrc YOU not engaged in the great con.
| laaN Lao. tsNt 80 l.Ftl at
this point2'
; NO, but | have watched the progress
and incidents OF that enterprise. There is
another illustration Of the complicated
condition OF large corporations. The hitch
in the settlement Of that question is moth
ing more nor lc,s than a misunderstanding
, between Jay Gould and Cen. Netlcton.
p The former, doubtless, wants an equal
? voice in the management and control oi
the structure and share in the receipts.
Gen. Ncttlcton does not fully acquiesce,
and there il trouble. Gould owns a con.
trolling interest in the Mississippi Trans.
portation or Barge line, the influence oi
' which company has been constantly cx.
y crtcd 10 defeat the measure, or 10 hamper
/. Il that the Nettlcion syndicate could not
build. II Ncttlcton and Gould can como
\ 10 terms, you'll see a speedy and harmoni'
: GUS settlement OF the matter, aud the
!, bridge will be built"
Tie class OF lawyers TO which the author
! Of the foregoing views belongs. is not the
: only class Memphis contains. There arr
: others -good, honest hard working men
, prac,icing in none hut legitimate eases anu
: tribunals, but not yet arrived at the cmi
ncncc which attracts 10 them causes In
!, volying ycxcd questions Of law and in,ri
y cate details. This class Is, TO a large ex
= tent, better fixed. from q financial point o
4 view, than the more famous nOighbor
y Then there Is still another class, one tina
!, the public would be glad to get nd OF bu
;, cannot. II Is composed OF thoee who val
~ take hold Of any kind Of action, and !
!, necessary stir up strife 10 secure business
~ IL takes NIL sorts Of people TO make up
= world, though, and Memphis is about tn
W | ..al.u.r ..iIl..