Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-29
BELVA NOT LICENSED
THE JUDGE HOWEVER. PERMITS HER
TO QUALIFY AS COMMITTEE.
She Will Now Apply to tho Supreme Court
of Appeals-Thc Case Of
Mrs. smith.

Promptly at 10 o'clock yesterday morn
ing Mrs. Beiva Lockwood. the object OF
whose visit TO Richmond was published 1T
yesterdays Dispatch. appeared before
Judge Wexford. OF the Henrlco Circuit
Court TO hear the decision OF his Honor
as TO the right OF the female ex-Prcsi-
Dental candidate TO practice law in that
tribunal.
The first thing the Judge did after the
opening OF the court was to announce
that Mrs. Lockwood's petition TO practice
generally at the bar OF that court would
have 10 be denied, but That her applica-
ton TO be allowed TO qualify as committee
for Elizabeth Kelly the insane girl whom
she represents. and in which capacity
Mrs. Lockwood mad already qualified In
the District OF Columbia, would be
granted. With this Mrs Lockwood quail
fed as committee for Elizabeth Kelly.
Rebeckah, the sister OF Elizabeth Kelly,
is represented In Virginia by Mr.. Alfred
Z. Cohen. OF this city. who introduced
Mrs Lockwood 10 Judge Wellfords court
and made the motions in her behalf.
WILL MA II n flpill.
The lady OF national reputation was
seen at Mr.. Cohens office by Dispatch
reporter yesterday afternoon. She was
absorbed in a pile OF papers. but greeted
the newsgather cordially. When asked
as TO her plans in the case which has
brought her here. Mrs Lockwood said
that she had accomplished the one OBJ
feet for which she came to Richmond
but that, nasmuch as the question OF
the right OF woman to practice generally
in the courts OF Virginia had been raised.
Mr.. Cohen and she had determined 10
carry IL TO the end. She would. therefore.
submit to-day. through Mr.. Cohen,
new petition to the Supreme Court OF
Appeals to be permitted TO practice at
that bar.
The chief ground taken in Judge Well
fords denial was that he had no authority
20 admit Mrs Lockwood 70 practice. He
said If the settled policy Of the state re-
garding this matter was 10 be amended
this must be done by the Legislature.
Mrs. Lockwood hopes TO convince the
Supreme Court differently but SAYS
whether or not she succeeds In this she
has accomplished what she came here for
in that she has qualified as committee in
this State for her ward.
THE KELLY SUIT.
The suit in which the Kelly heirs are
the defendants, and which has brought
the female former presidential asprant
here. involves three small tracts Of land.
some of which is quite valuable, near
Seven Pines.
While the Dispatch man was conVersinG
with Mrs Lockwood the latter showed
him her credentials as an attorney. She
had certificates from the United States
Supreme Court from the United states
Court Of Claims. and several minor tribu-
nails. She uses large brown envelopes
bearing the card "Belva Lockwood q CO.,
counsellors and attorneys" &c.
The Case of Mrs. smith.
Should the Supreme Court OF Appeals
grant Mrs. Lockwood's application its ac-
tlon Will run contrary to legislation on
the subject In a test case. ana WILL II
is claimed by some. be also contrary TO
the spirit Of the provisions of the Code
defining who are qualified 10 practice law
In the courts OF the Commonwealth. The
question Of the policy Of admitting women
70 the Virginia bar was considered at two
successive sessions Of the Virginia Legis-
laturs and in both instances the decision
was against such an innovation.
About five years ago Mrs. =. 4. l..
Smith applied 10 be admitted to practice
in the Corporation Court OF Danville,
but Judge Aiken refused her She then
made application TO the Circuit Court of
that circuit, but MEETING with no better
success at the hands Of Judge Whittle.
she md introduced in the Senate Of 1858
bill granting TO women the privilege of
practicing in the State courts under the /
same conditions that apply to men.
DEFEATED. BUT NOT DIsMAYED
The bill was defeated. but during the
session of 1912 Mrs. Smith returned to
the charge. On this. as on the former
occasion. the fight was entirely in the /
Senate Mrs Smith appeared before the |
Committee for Courts Of Justice Of that |
body and spoke at length in favor of the |
measure and it was debated for the |
greater part Of two days on the floor of |
the Senate Some of the abcst lawyers |
In the body took part in the discussion.
and while several Of these spoke in all |
seriousness In opposition to it, others.
knowing II was a gone conclusion
that the bill would not pass, pretended |
to favor il. \ few did really favor it.
VERY AMUSING.
The debate was all in all one of the
brightest and most amusing that has |
taken place in the General Assembly for |
years. and during it Senator now Con-
gressmam Marshall made his celebrated |
"Lily-white hand. sarabands speech. The |
most amusing thing about Mr.. Mar
shalrs speech was that no one would |
ever have gathered from 1t whether he |
favored or opposed the measure
The bill was defeated by the vote Of
ayes. 9: noes, 1S-many senators being |
paired.
1t is contended by not a few of the bar !
that If the Supreme Court Of Appeals |
acts favorably upon Mrs. Lockwood's APP
plication the right TO practice in the |
state courts cannot be denied other
women lawyers.