The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-05

The wrangling and snarling spirit which
has recently introduced so many elements of
confusion into certain lines of thought and
action IN the Northern States does not seem to
be confined TO religious denominations, but
extends even 10 the most learned circles of the
law. The eminentiy respectable Columbia
Law School has now become entangled in a
serious dispute between the members Of its
faculty which has just led TO the resignation
OF its famous dean. Professor Dwight and
several very able and accomplished instruc-
tors.
Professor Dwight had been connected with
the school for a long series of years and was
virtually its founder rs we'll as its principal
supporter. The reputation of the law school
has been acquired on the basis of legal in
struction which this venerable and learned
professor had laid down, and upon this basis
many thousand members of the legal profess
sion have been educated at Columbia who
have risen to the highest position in their
calling.
The system of instruction enforced by Pro-
fessor Dwight embodied study Of legal
principles as arranged according to their
relations in textbooks, and TO these princi-
pies a study of cases was made entirely sub
ordinate. In October 1890. Professor Keener.
of Harvard Law School, a young man of
Southern birth and training. was called TO
Columbia TO take charge of the chairs on con-
tracts, and he, as soon as he was seated in
his new position, introduced the system oflegal
instruction which prevails at Harvard. This
system consists of a study of cases-that is,
instead OF the beginner being required TO
master textbooks made up of principles all
properly arranged under appropriate heads,
the cases sustaining these principles being in
serted in foot-notes, he is required TO master
textbooks composed of leading cases.
Under this latter system the student is left
to find out what are the principles of law
instead Of having these principles laid down
precisely with all their shades of modification.
In following the case system of legal instruc-
ton. the student has very frequently to make
a thorough examination of at least a dozen
cases before he can get one established prin-
ciple firmly planted in his mind and the pro-
cess is not unlike that of beating great mass
of worthless straw to secure few grains of
valuable wheat.
Professor Dwight condemned the new
methods which Professor Keener introduced
in teaching the subject of contracts, on the
ground that this method was calculated 10
produce jurists, Shut not practical lawyers.
Whatever advantage was conferred by this
method could. in his opinion. be easily ac-
quired by brief practice at the bar.
Professor Keener has insisted upon pur-
suing his own line of instruction, and he has
been sustained by the trustees of Columbia
College. At this. Professor Dwight has takon
such umbrage that he has resigned the posi-
ton which he has filed with so much ability
for so many years, and his resignation has
been accepted by the college authorities
The example of Professor Dwight has been
followed by a number of his associates, thus
leaving the field in possession of his youthful
opponent.
1t looks now as if the whole system of in
struction in the Columbia Law School would
be revolutionized and that this great school
will become under the influence of President
Low warm personal friend of Professor
Keener, mere imitator of the Harvard Law
School, which under its present system of in
struction by textbooks of cases instead of
textbooks of principles has produced no law
yer of more than local distinction.