New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-21
JFGJL EDUCATION.

Members Of the recently organized Section III
LOCAL Education IF the American Bar AsSo'ii-
tim are DESTROYS that the discussion OF ms Slid
icct NJ the annual meeting Of The ASSOCIATION
This week I'm Saratoga should prov" Interesting
NOT ONLY 10 lawyers, but 10 the general puph''
II is an obvious truth that all the people alr
d,..nlv concerned in the matter. whether thcy
tb,nl, much or little about it. The laws under
which they live are chiefly made by lawyers,
and the preservation Of their rights d'ptihS
10 a great extent upon The quality of the legal
nrofnssion 4 member Of the bar In Il private
communication uuon the Saratoga meeting MS
lately called our attention 10 one OF me topics
vhich mr., likely 10 be considered there. He says
firmly that courts and lawyers are potent forces
TN tho social ORGANIZATIONS which H. designed 'o
secure the highest advantage of all: mat me
iuauenc, Of the bar not only in the admln'slrl-
tion Of Justice and In legislation, but also III
leading public opinion. Is "norInons. ana c"nS
o,cntlv that the education Of the bar has "A I'll
rec, and most important bearing on the com.
man welfare He is convinced that members "t
ihe profession in general and teachers Oh law
in particular are anxious To raise the standard
Of legal education. but points out what he re
CARDS as at present an lns,lrlnouniablc obSiac'"
nost entirely dependent for revenue upon the
fees Of students.
4 consideration Of this financial difficulty leads
our correspondent 10 express surprise 'ha' "i'''
educational institutions II various kinds are
constantly receiving large cndowinrh'S ;" h'''
has ever been done FOR law schools Il do not
think" lie says There Is single s'h"oi 'n''
"can afford 10 b. Indifferent 10 the revenue d''
'riycd from the fees OF the students. ""
schools have Il revenue independent "i ICES
"but II Is small and generally appropriated I" ii
Specific purpose, snch ~ prof"ss"rS'lip' i"''-
'ueshp etc \ large proportion 81 The schools
"have no endowment AT all The facf Is do"p'
less ~ our correspondent states ~. i'rhipS IL -
moi So Incxpllcablr a. N first thought u m'sh'
upp.ar to be- Professional schools scarcely ever
have n strong hold on the affections 81 'h'lr
graduates for REASONS which de- not need to BE-
set forth Gifts which are inspired largely 10y
sentiment naturally go 10 colleges. ana th'I'
ar. other substantial causes for sn'h prefer
enc. hut when This j. admitted ID" tnr' re-
mains that other professional schools are more
Frequently enriched 10y gifts AMI b"qu">i' IMAM
schools Of law Theological schools naturally
make. a strong appeal 'o III" d"v"'ii. ana arr III
reality very seldom II ever. self supporting. b"'
ia. question why medical schools are NOR" t"Ftu'
nate than law schools cannot be- 80 do'lS'''P
answered.
We venture 10 suggest that one reason WHY
law schools are generally lcf, 10 tax" ear" "t
themselves * that the practc" "f III" law III
wolves comparatively little srauii"uS PROBES
sional labor Lawyers. ~ course. perform
large. amount 81 public work for which they ar"
paid NJ a low rate. or not ~ nH. III money ""'
for such work they commonly are, or expect !"
he rcmIurraicl 10y the rewards II ambition
Hui aside. from Speculative litigation. when -
not generally promoted from The highest mo
lives the rule T.. No fee. no service: ana me
rule Is not subject 10 very numerous "N'"l''
films Physicians. on the other hand. In hos
p,tals aud ia private practice devote great
deal Of time and strength aud skill 4" the ar
nictcd without any expectation or r'colnl"l>"
excepting perhaps. In Increased proncrihE
while M the same time they are in an especial
degree Victims 81 the credit system. The clergy
"a we hav. said. stand In II peculiar relation 10
,he res, Of the community but certainly the
services which they mr.. expected 10 render
cratuitoisly are not too generously recognized.
IT, as we surIniso the infreqmncy ~ gifts and
bcuuesis 10 schools ~ law Is In "A measure 10 be
explained by the foregoing considerations II
does not follow that the endowment Of such III
stit,itons should not be encouraged. We be
licve. the contrary. That private generosity
ia that line might produce Results Of permanent
value TO the public A higher standard Of legal
education IS certainly desirable. and the opinion
Of hlgh-mInded members of The bar TO whom
the financial obstacle appears exceedingly srri
o,ls Is entitled 10 respectful hearing.
EIGHT