The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1895-08-10
SHE WANTS TO Be A LAWYER.
'"' Inst New Jersey Woman To Anylv 10
be Admitted to the r..


view Jersey Woman to Apply to
De Admitted to the nar
no hrst application made nv a wom-
IL ~ oe admitted to the bar IN New
1 Ds., mas been made by Miss Mary
niloipok OF $50 Vroom street. Jersey
Cl'y Heights. The application was
maze through Corporation Attorney
James r. Minturn of Hoboken ~ Jus-
ice Depue OF the supreme conrt The
youns woman prepared the argument
perseif' defining her right to apply for
nc ciearness, conciseness and clever
ness OF the argument made an imnres-
sion on Justice Depue. He said he knew
Vi notning to prevent Miss Philbrook
from being admitted to practice az an
attorney provided she was able 10 pass
tne examination, and he promised that
no would endeavor to arrange for an
examination at the present term of court.
bliss fnllorook is the daughter of a
lawyer She has been EMPLOYED for
some years as typewriter and amanu-
ensls in Mr.. Minturn's Office. Three
years ago she began to delve into 90 BLACK
s.one' Parsons on Contracts and
otner literature of a similar character.
anu now she is convinced that she IL pre-
pared 10 try cases. Mr.. Minturn saws
sne Is an extremely capable young wom-
an one Is 70 years old, slim, with reg
uIar features, dark hair and hazel ewes.
MI, Minturn says she can prepare briefs
ana papers in any kind of suits. and he
IL confident that she is competent To con-
Duct her cases in court. In her applica-
ton she says:
Inc admission of women TO the bar
Is question not of taste, pfoprietv or
politeness, but of right. While certain
qualifications may be required bv 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,
inanciers, editors and may engage with
out let or hindrance 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 a
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.
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. l 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
| will go. l would not confine myself
to Hoboken."
Miss Philbrook said that nothing
would suit her better than an opportu-
nifty to argue against man lawyer
New York Sun.