The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-05-24
SHE WANTS TO BE A LAWYER.


The First New Jersey Woman to Apply to
Be Admitted to the Bar.
The first application made by wom-
an to be admitted to the bar in New
Jersey has been made by Miss Mary
Philbrook of $50 Vroom street, Jersey
City Heights. The application was
made through Corporation Attorney
James F. Minturn of Hoboken to JUS
tice Depue of the supreme court. The
young woman prepared the argument
herself, defining her right to apply for
examination.
The clearness, conciseness and clever
ness of the argument made an impress
sion on Justice Depue. He said he knew
of nothing to prevent Miss Philbrook
from being admitted to practice as an
attorney, provided she was able to pass
the examination, and he promised that
he would endeavor to arrange for an
examination at the present term of court.
Miss Philbrook is the daughter of a
lawyer. She has been employed for
some years as typewriter and amanu-
ensis in Mr.. Minturn's Office. Three
years ago she began to delve into Black
stone" Parsons ON Contracts" and
other literature of a similar character,
and now she is convinced that she is pre-
pared to try cases. Mr.. Minturn says
she is an extremely capable young wom-
an. She is 23 years DID, slim, with reg
ular features, dark hair and hazel eyes.
Mr.. Minturn says she can prepare briefs
and papers in any kind of suits, and he
is confident that she is competent to con-
duct her cases in court. In her applica-
tion she says
The admission of women TO the bar
is question not of taste, propriety or
politeness, but of right. While certain
qualifications may be required by law
and conditions attached in the discre-
ton of the courts, yet sex distinction
should not be made one of these condi-
tiOns. Its emoluments involve the right
to earn livelihood and acquire prop
erty. The right to acquire, possess and
protect property is guaranteed to every
citizen of the state, and in the protec-
ton of these rights all are equal before
the law. The practice of law is, there
fore, civil right which the courts may
regulate, but not prohibit. 1t is a pro-
fession, or employment, pursued for its
emoluments, for which an action may be
maintained. The legislature may pre-
scribe qualifications for it as it may'for
the pursuit of the ordinary avocations
of life, but it can no more deny the ex-
ercise of the right in one case than in
another.
again, the policy of our legislature
and judiciary has tended constantly to-
ward comforting upon women the same
property rights and business status as
men enjoy. They become physicians,
artists, scientists, ministers. educators,
fnanciers, editors and may engage with
out let or hihdrance in all the activities
of the business world. The acts of our
legislature seem to convey to women all
the property rights, and consequently
impose upon them all the liabilities as
sumed by their contracts, the same as
man. Women should be admitted to
the practice of law upon equal terms
with men,"
Mr.. Minturn has no doubt that Miss
Philbrook will be admitted.
1.-The matter rests with the judges of
the supreme court now" Miss Philbrook
said. They will have a consultation
over it, and it all depends on what they
think. I am sure, however, they will
admit me to examination.
do you intend practicing in Hobo
ken if you are admitted?"
"Oh, anywhere where there is a field
l will go. l would not confne myself
to Hoboken."
Miss Philbrook said that nothing
would suit her better than an opportu-
nifty to argue against man lawyer
New York Sun.