Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va) 1886-1890, 1889-12-24
PUBLIC OPINION.
SHOULD WOMEN BE ADMITTED
TO The BAR.
TEE Times REPORTER SEEKS LIGHT
What pr"minent Men OF Roanoke
Think--.The Occupation Quite Con
crafty Held TO he Unsuited TO
the B"x.


practise in the courts of Virginia."
This question has caused 80 mnch
talk OF late throughout the state, and
is of such general interest to the pub
lie that the TIMES presents today
interviews on the subject with those
OF the lawyers Of Roanoke who could
be found yesterday by the reporter of
the TIMES entrusted with the duty.
AS was to have been expected the
opinions vary, the members of the
bar being divided
Judge s. G.. Williams: | ain op
posed to the bill on general principles;
and, besides, from personal observn
tiOn in another state am satisfied
that ladies will never he successful at
the bar, as they are entirely unsuited
70 perform the duties and labors, or
to undergo the excitement incident to
the practise.
J. Allen Watts: In a number of
states women are allowed TO practise
law, but whether under our constitu-
ton and laws, she could be permitted
to qualify, | am not prepared to say,
M have given the subject neither
thought nor investigation. Upon the
abstract question. see no more rea-
son why she should not be allowed to
earn livelihood in this manner than
in any other honest employment. SO
many men are depending on their
wives to support them that they
ought to be allowed every chance to
do so.
City Solicitor Gibson: / ain IN
reservedly in favor OF women practis
ing law. think no woman should be
debarred the privilege. l sincerely
hope the bill will pass.
r. E. Scott: | am opposed to the
bill and think womans proper
sphere is the home circle.
Major Griffin: | am opposed to any
further license to women TO engage in
any business where they will necess
arily cultivate their talents for con-
tention. | don't think their public
appearance at the bar will tend to
elevate them or to increase their at
Effectiveness or usefulness.
j. A. Dupuy: see no legal or con-
stitutional objection to a woman prac-
ticing law, but | think it 4 very
doubtful propriety, looking to the
best interest OF the ladies OF our state.
w. w. Berkiev: am opposed to
the Eill on general principles. Women
may make az good attorneys az men,
but there are scenes in the courtroom
in which men and women are brought
under the most embarrassing circum
stances, and therefore | do not think
it is a proper occupation for "a woman.
G. b. Moomaw: l AIN old fogy
enough to disparage any movement or
this kind
Lucien H. Cooke: l am against ii.
Everett Perkins AIN against the
hill allowing women to practise law
II will detract from the position for
which they were intended i woman
10y commingling with the affairs Of
men loses her refinement to a very
great extent.
Representative j w. Woods: am
opposed tn any measure that will de-
crease the number Of ladies in the
land, and | think that if ladies are
allowed to practise law it will take
away 70 certain extent that purity
which rharacterizes the women Of
Virginia
Col John E. Penn. lam in favor Of
it. Give the women Il chance.
Thos. w. Miller. AS matter OF
right, don't see why lsdies should be
precluded from taking up law as a
profession, but rs matter OF septi-
ment l would dislike very much for
the ladies of the State TO assume O
position which will detract from the
high esteem in which they are held
bv the gentlemen of this old common
wealth.
commemorative Attorney Smith:
II is matter of Indifference to me as
to whether the privilege should be
granted the ladies. | would be in
favor OF it, if those best qualified to
practise would avail themselves OF the
opportunity to the exclusion OF a
boIder class who would appear in our
courts, to the great annoyance OF It'll
giants, counsel, court and jury.
Thos. VI. Wood: AS general pro-
position l think practising law is out
side of a woman's sphere. In view Of
the modern idea of the progression"
of women's occupations, l think it
would perhaps be right; but l do not
agree with these so-called advanced
ideas of her stage Of action. believe
she had better practise housewifery
and the amenities and tenderness Of
a home life. In listening to a legal
speech of woman at the bar, how
ever eloquent or forcible it might be
nv mind would inevitably recur to her
baby at home "muling," Ito use
the words of Shakespeare's Seven
Ages, land puking in its nurses
arms" ain opposed to the passage
of the bill.
A. L. Payne. l see no valid objec-
ton to the bill for allowing women to
practise law. In my opinion they
should not be debarred from the pur-
suit of any legitimate occupation.
]. Wm. Boyd: AIN opposed to the
measure and do not think it would be
expedient to make such law; and
further, | think our legislature has
too many matters of pressing and
practical Importance to attend to at
this session, without wasting time on
such nonsense at this.
P. G. Lcckett: / know Of no reason
why women should be debarred from
any legitimate pursuit in life whereby
she may either secure an independent
support for herself or by means OF
which she may attain to professional
eminence, and any Disability imposed
upon her should be at her own cleo
ton. This, think, must be conceded
unless man holds that she is inferior
to him, or whether he so holds OF
not, unless he can show that she is biz
inferior and an imbecile into whoSe