The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-07-18
TO THE LEGAL FRATERNITY.
The Need of q State Bar Association
Suggested.

MIR. ED,ron:-Ever since l have been
conversant with courts and their mode
of procedure in North Carolina, have
become more and more convinced that
there exists great and pressing need
among us for an association OF the
members of the bar throughout the
State, having for it's object the elevation
of the moral tone of the fraternity, the
notwithstanding and suppression OF
dishonest and unprofessional practice,
and the raising of the standard OF
requirements for admission to the prac-
tice of law in our several courts.
This conviction has taken such deep
root that l am unable to refrain from
expressing it publicly, and inviting the
criticism or cooperation, or both, IA
they will, of my legal brethren by calling
to their attention a few OF the evils anu
abuses which such an organization as
have suggested might, at least in n
measure, correct.
North Carolina has been among the
first to adopt many new departures In
the law and legal procedure to her great
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. our present Code
system-but in this matter OF Bar
Association she is all but last among her
sis ter States. We have our Dental,
i
tiOns, our Teachers Assembly, our
Editorial and Printers Associations, and
our Farmers Alliance, and each and all OF
| these hold annual conventions Tor the
| supervision, elevation and general vel
fare of their several trades or professions
But where are the lawyers? Echo
answers, where? Shall it be said that
in North Carolina one of the Oldest
and most honored professions, u PROBES
sion which has given to history nine
| tenths of the statesmen whom the world
has known and honored, from Moses
down to Grover Cleveland, is without
organization and pOwerless, as u whole
because of it's want of unity and concerted
action?
1t will not be denied that the STANDARD
of legal ethics in the profession is peril
Ously low. Sharp practice and unpro
fessiOnal methods are too often seen, ant
the consequent wrongful triumph owe
right too frequently the subject of publ
comment and public criticism of tn
bench and bar to necessitate my calling
attention to the prevalence OF sue
abuses. The question is, How can tn
evil be remedied? answer, q State La
: Association could do much toward
accomplishing the desired end. A Cod
Of Ethics adopted and promulgated b
the who'r body of lawyers Of the Stat'
in convention assembled, would certunl
; carry with it great weight, and woul
| operate to the great advantage OF tn
profession generally, and of its youngt
r members in particular.
, The subject of legal ethics is but or
!. Of the many urgent questions who
!. would demand the attention and call fc
the prompt action OF Bar Association
There are many Others.
t The dignity and usefulness of the PR
= fessiOn should be maintained and pr
NOTED. 1t should be purged of unwOrth
members and should punish and discOun
;, enance unprOfessional and dshOnel
practices which have brought "a grei
profession into much disrepute. Itshou
guard the avenues to the profession al
t should oversee legislation, in order
e prevent the decentralization OF it's prime
Piles and to save it's teachings from Il
hand OF the spoiler and the inevitab
% effect of ill-considered laws. 1t shou
a labor to secure for the bench the be
r professional talent of the State by pr
v viding better compensation, or Othe
n wise, and should, in all things, cOmbi
u the voice and influence of the bar for t
,e advantage of the profession and t
% good of the Commonwealth.
v These things need no argument. Eve
lawyer must see and recognize the cryi
need of the hour and the benefits to
n derived from North Carolina State Il
; Association.
. take the liberty OF asking an expr
>, sion of opinion by my legal brethren
10 to the necessity for, and the expedier
sc of, the formation of an organized DO
b. of the craft for the purposes have brie
is outlined-and any Others which mig
demand it's consideration.
Fraternally,
J. f. INGLE, in