New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-01
The GTTLD or 7HF LAWYERS

However much other CLASSES Of the community
NAV he inclined to erumbr Ibou' legal pro
fcssnn certainly no good citizen j. to be- found
who will not join heartily in CONCENTRATING the
guild of The lawyers Oh liz prosperity and pros
pcct Of a handsome new home which r 10 stand
hard Ivy thai meeting place u distinguished
men in all professions. the Century club Law
vcrs have played a dsproporionatc part in mod
crn history Theirs has been the typical learned
profession. Even in Il world given up to com
mcrce they have not been diSlodscd from their
prominence in affairs of State. nor has their
compclling power upon the Imagination and re-
spcct been dSSpatcl oven though fears ar"
frequently expressed that the INV Itself j. being
commcrcinlizcd ana that the young practitioner
thinks more of financial success than of pro-
fcss,onal standing
The lawyer is all pcrvas1vc because he de
serves 10 be W. may find fault with him rs
a n0n-produccr, who trades Oh other proplr's
allarrc,s and their ignorance of statutes and
lcga! procedure. bur want his services too
frequently 10 let his profession become unprolit-
able Wherein his work is unworthy he is work
Ing in response 10 our unworthy demands. More
often he is doing real and honorable service 10
the community. The complicated machinery of
life the multitude Of laws required hy complex
commercial conditions, call for class with "x-
pert knowledge. and all attempts 10 simplify
statutes and make it possible for every man
to he his own lawyer in important business
transactions Is bound TO fail, and fail with rs
good reason as would the attempt TO make
every man his own bridge-buildcr. II Is not the
echnicaltics Of procedure nor the vcrbiagc of
deeds which snakcs the lawyers services ncccS
s1ry in peaceful matters Of business. but his
broad knowledge Of affairs and his trained ab
itv 10 give advice Naturally Of all men he is
first 10 come forward in the discussion of public
questions He IS generally the best thinker, the
rcadicst speaker and from his knowledge Of
laws the most judicous lawmakcr in the com
muny So he comes TO the front. His rivals
may be jealous. but his power rests on achieve
mcnt. In his work he takes professional pride
and though sometimes the lawyers code Of
ethics and his view Of what duty 10 clients re-
qIircs may puzzle men Of other callings, yet it
must be confessed he holds himself and his
brethren to a fair measure Of obedience 10 that
conventional code. There are rascals in that
profession as in every other. but in no secular
calling. unless il be- among physicians, does the
unworthy member of the guild sooner lose stand
ing among his fellows.
The New-York Bar Association with its 100
members has been force making for honesty
in this city and State. 1t holds Il high standard
Of professional character and achievement ncccs-
sary for membership and has made itself Il
body Of so splendid a reputation that every law
yer has natural ambition to be- admitted TO It's
ranks. II has not hcsated 10 make stern in
quiry into the conduct not only or practitioners,
but even Of judges, and has done. valuable ser
vice In keeping both the Bench and the Bar