Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-28
CAN SHE PRACTICE?
THE QUESTION TO be DECIDED BY
JUDGE WEXFORD TO-DAY.
BeIvs Lockwood Appears in Court and Asks
to Be Permitted to Qualify Here
Her Visit to the City Hall.

Judge u. II. Wexford VIII to-day de-
eide whether or not he will permit Mrs
Belva A. Lockwood, the noted female at
torney and ex-candIdate for the presi-
dency of the United States. TO qualify
to practice law in the Circuit Court of
Henrico county.
Mrs. Lockwood appeared before this
tribunal yesterday in the case OF James
Lyme against the Kelly heirs. the object
Of which is 10 recover certain lands at
Seven Pines. In this controversy Mrs.
Lockwood and Mr.. 4. Il. Cohen, of this
city represent the heirs, one of whom IS
n ward of the lady politician. Major b.
VI. Nash, and Messrs. Conway r. Sands
and Henry Il. Pollard are counsel for the
plaintiff.
ONLY a FEW IN THE ROOM.
When Mrs. Lockwood and Mr.. Cohen
walked into the courtroom there were
not more then dozen persons present,
and the remarkable woman attracted but
little attention. Mrs. Lockwood carried
with her a leather satchel filled with
iN-dA hpNhilltAAA7. OtDbolAilH NhAo VII NAA~
floor of the courtroom and occupying
seat beside Mr.. Cohen within the law
yers' enclosure the renowned Belva was
soon an object of considerable interest
The Richmond attorney soon addressed
the court. submitting motion to admit
Mrs. Lockwood to the bar of the Henrico
Circuit Court. Mr.. Cohen introduced Mrs.
Lockwood as practitioner in the
higher courts Of Maryland and the
District of Columbia, and in the United
States Supreme Court. Mrs. Lockwood
was committee for Mr. Kelly who owned
the property in dispute. and was an IN
mate of a sanitarium for some time prior
to his death. After his death she was
entrusted with the care Of his two daugh-
tiers. and is guardian Of the one now IN
a Washington sanitarium. She came here
particularly to secure appointment as
committee for her ward, and II was Tor
this that she desired admittance TO the
bar.
LADIES CAN'T PRACTICE.
Judge Wexford said that he understood
, that according to all precedents ladies
could not be allowed to practice law in
/ the Virginia courts.
Mr.. Cohen then directed the Courts
| attention to the fact that Mrs. Lock
I wood had been admitted 10 the bar OF
/ the Fairfax County Court, July 80 1879
| The Judge remarked that the authority
| Of Il County Court was no more prece-
/ dent than was Police Court decision
/ 1t was Judge WellfOrd's impression that
! the Legislature had already in the case
! of Mrs. I. \. l.. Smith CwhOse applica
ton for license attracted SO much at
tentlon) refused to allow female pracu
TONERS in the State.
Mr.. Cohen submitted that inasmuch as
the law provided that any person
prac,icing law in any adjoining State
was entitled to practice In thS Nirsinia
courts, and as Mrs. Lockwood was "a
| person." he construed the statute d.
| giving her the right she asked.
This argument. however, the judge
refused To consider. and some further
discussion was INDUCED In. The Judg'
| promised to take the matter under con
| sideration until to-day.
WENT THROUGH THE HALL.
Mrs Lockwood spent fully an hour II
the new City Hail. She went into many o
the Offices, chatted freely with the of
hcials. and even climbed the stairway II
the tower Of the big structure. She ap
peared To be greatly pleased with the hall
and was charmed with the view tat cal
be commanded from IL.