Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-29
LAWYER MARY PHILBROOK.
First Of Her Sex To Practice In New
Jersey.
CNeW York Sun.)


Yesterday morning. Mary G. Phiibrook,
who recently forced the Supreme Court
ia admit her to the bar. walked into The
courtroom with "A satchel full of legal
documents and took a seat at the long
table reserved for members OF the bar.
1t was evident that Miss Philbrook was
on hand for business, for after taxing
her eeat she opened her satchel, took
out some papers, and began 10 scan
them in the most matter-oi-iact way.
Judge. jury. court officers, lawyers, ana
laymcn stared i'm amazement at MISS
Philbrook. and the young woman. while
evidently aware of the sensation she was
creating. was calm and collected on the
occasion Of her first visit TO the court
I'm the capaciiy of a member Of the bar.
She looked neither 10 the right nor to the
left. but busted herself with the docu-
ments before her.
Miss Philbrook lives at Ia Magnolia
avenue, Jersey City, and at 10 years ~
age entered the law offices OF James +.
Nunturn and Henry Gacde, in Hob0ken
as a typewriter. Her father was law
yer and her brother Is also member
Of the bar, but IT wasn't with any idea
of following their profession that Miss
phllbrOok went 10 work. Even after she
had been reading textbooks for months
she didn't think Of studying Jaw one
day Mr. Minturn. who was the Corpora
ton Attorney of Hob0ken. remarked TO
her: Miss Phllhrook. you're born
lawyer. You ought 10 study for the bar
The young woman made no reply, but
from that moment she decided TO take
up the study Of Kent. Chitty, and Black
stone. So she studied and read night
and dav. and famnlarized herself with all
complicated cases that came into the
office. The result was that early in 1891
She was far enough advanced in her
studies 10 undergo the examination fcr
admission to the bar. Then. at the adj
vice Of Mr. Minturn. she applied TO the
Supreme Court for permission TO practice.
The learned Justices were nonplussei
hy the application. Never before in the
history of the State of New Jersey had
such an application been made by wo-
man. II was in February. 1894. that
Miss Philbrook made her application, ana
two weeks later Justice Depew handed
down decision. lie refused to allow
the young woman TO take the eNamina-
ton on the ground that there was no
law on the statute-boOks providing Tor
the admission of women TO the bar.
Nothing daunted. Miss Philbrook start
ed in 10 fight the Supreme Court. II
there was no such law, she argued. II
was time one was passed. She proceeded 10
draw up bill. covering the point for
presentation To the Legislature. No one
assisted the young woman in drafting
the bin. and when she took IL TO Tren-
ton she went alone and did the lobby
ing herself Her efforts were rewarded
by the bill being turned over To
legislative committee for recommended
ton. Miss Philbrook was permitted to
GO before the committee and argue in
favor OF the bill She did so. and made
a brilliant speech, with the result that
the bill went through without hitch.
\ second application 20 the Supreme
Court followed. and this time the re-
CURED permission was given. In June
last she underwent the examination,
which was especially rigid. and the
young woman passed with hieh h0nors.
and became the first woman lawyer in
the state
Miss Phnbrook is tall and SLIM with
an attractive face and snappy. black eyes.
Having attained her object she was I'm
40 hurry 20 begin practice. and for
long time went on with her ohice-Wor'S.
Since her admission 20 the bar great
deal of curiosity has been manifested hy
hrothcr-lawyers. who are anxious 10 see
The young woman handle her first case.
II has been rumored several times that
She would appear in court I'm Jersey City.
and each time the courtroom has been
packed to suffocation. But Miss Philbrook
did not appear.
on Monday last Miss phiihrook walked
into The Court OF Chancery in Jersey
city. prepared to make motion in
case which has been pending there for
some time. and in which Mr. Gaede Is
interested She took seat in the rear
Of the courtroom and waited patient
Is for the case TO come up. Somebody
recognized her before she had been in
the room ten minutes. and the news
spread around 50 rapidly that long be
fore the case was called the room was
crowded. The curious, however. We're
doomed TO disappointment. for dispatch
from Mr. Gaede was handed 20 Miss Phil
brook. requesting her not TO make the
motion She then left the courtroom,
and the crowd followed her
chancellor McChll was asked afterward
~ he would have recognized the young
woman as practitioner. He replied that
Il WAS a matter Of much doubt in his
mind whether she had authority to act
before his court or not.
Miss Phlbrook's sudden appearance In
the Union County Orphans Court. at II
special session in Elizabeth yesterday.
took every one by surprise. and lawyers
and witnesses who had long since finished
their business fingered TO see how the
woman lawyer would conduct herself.
Senator Foster NJ Voorhees,. who Is ac-
ous,nted with Miss Philbrook. was in
court. and he talked With the young wo-
man. She told him that she appeared In
behalf OF n Mrs. Lawrence Collins, who
seeks 10 protect her dover right In some
property recently left to her husband by
his father.
Lawrence Collins lives at Murray Hill,
n. j.. and his father left him real estate
valued at 81 coo Collins and his wife have