The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-06-16
THE LAwYKRs, IDEAL.


teun-y who does not desc ve ihs enco-
MUM passed npon the late W. s. Relfe
~ an attorney No higher compliment
could be paid TO any lawyer than was en-
bodied in the resolution Of honor 20 hin
memory adopted by the members of his
profession. and In the eulogium of his
friend and neighbor. j. T. Ronald.
In bis idea. so IL Is claimed OF him. the
object of the law was to enforce right
or 10 redress a wrong He constantly
disregarded the technicalities In his ear
nest endeavors 10 reach the true principle
involved tn his cases. To this all lawyers
are trained, but in the competition OF life
some OF the sublime aims OF student years
are not always sought In actual practice.
Many lawyers seek 10 settle all disputes
in the courts. Mr.. Relfc seems TO have
been one OF those who comprehend that
1t Is the duty OF an attorney to knox when
his case Is hopeless and to save his client
entirely unnecessary litigation. Most at
torneys. after little practice. and IL
their reading has been rightly directed.
are quite competent to determine whether
or not there is a cause OF action. II Is not
at all easy at all times 10 say whether a
suit can be successfully maintained or not:
and IL IS even more difficult 20 determine
always who IL entirely in the right. II
rarely happens that one party to case
is entirely right and the other entirely
wrong: and IL is not always easy nor the
province of the advocate to determine the
measure of compensation which he Is to
receive. But IL Is possible TO know when
an action Is entirely without merit and
whose prosecution Is 10 be undertaken
only In the hope OF badgering the defend
ant into yielding a point as the only
escape from unwarranted annoyance.
II IL TO the judiciary. however, that the
iitigant and the reputable lawyer must
look for support In their endeavors TO OBJ
tain the strict administration OF justice.
said OF AIR. Relfe. that The constantly dis
regarded the tschnicaiities In his earnest
endeavors TO reach the true principles:
he threw all chafr to the winds; and whose
judicial and discriminating mind discover
ed tho main principle OF law upon
which each side OF cause was based"
half the purpose of the constitution OF the
United States would be accomplished.
Too often the entire object OF laws.
which should be recognized by all courts.
Is lost sight OF In a mistaken surrender Of
good Judgment OF the Judge 10 the bad
s,A.r.,nnt - t..,n.rfa,rn uf lxuvakera
II Is recognized as a fundamental rrin-
eipie that the object OF the law Is 10 en-
force s right or TO redress a wrong" but
clumsy legislators unwittingly. by onais-
sion or involved phraseology. make uncer-
tain the means by which that - to be ae-
complished Judges should be astu,e 20
discern the true intent-whish Is never 10
frsEs,ra,e a right or perpetuate a wrong
ana TO arrnly discountennnos the petty
Jogging methods OF attorneys who avow-
eddy and shamelessly seek TO DO both by
divertsng the attention OF the coar; from
the merits OF the case to improbable but
possible constructions OF subordinate laws
which have. In justice. no more effsct than
rules Of court made FOR eonvenisn>s in
ths transaction Of its business.
Some Judges and some lawyers seem 20
think tha; they are reaching to the ex-
tortuous reasoning they can give a con-
struetion 10 law likely 10 produse start
ling and entirely unexpected results. Such
a jaase delights 20 say: II know II Is not
suss and works hardship. bat Iid not
make the law" In such q case cae
may BE sure the Judge has decided sgainst
hss own Judgment. with a rerfsc;iy clear
understanding that he has no; carried ont
the intent 81 the sraner OF tae law. bat
Is playing 20 his own vanity. Laws made
helser-sSelser. with too little FORE aouzht
as 20 their ultimate eTect. bat never In
tended 20 work injustice or 20 oe IN dts
cord With prior and collateral laws. are
not 70 ~ construed Nv the same rule as
ne els common law. which. in9srsee,
though /, might be. wss stable,
That there IL some occasion for re
criticism herein greatly administered 70
evident from the conspicuous res7eet raid
70 that phase 90 Rclte's Sharac.sF whicA
made hlrr throw al shs1 70 ths winds
sas leNk saly to The genera principls
| underlying every casa As = profession.
attorneys sesplss ,hs tecant-ai lawyer
| ans have contempt for tNe pet.i'oxgs-.
/ n practice they wiil sometimes fhink q
/ excusatss q resort - means which they
wcnlt not care - SsreaA
/ Ras thls mack Is certain Evsa re
I sechalevai lawysr has - reSrecs for ire
| ;e,Aniczl fsssr. iss ;schsi'Al f1sxe VIA
| locks Zoe guidance 20 ths izaPsr.est lestsr
/ Instead os "a she ssrfeet spirit ~ TIE 'aw.
has 10 place Urea the bench - free
eountry ana ar tn;ss'tEeet aeer,e, sn3,
/ snorcax~-. he violates tie eagh o; RS sssse.
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