New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-26
THE NEWYORK LAW SCHOOL.
A SEVERE CONDEMNATION OF THE SPECIAL LEG
IsLATIoN IN ITS FAVOR.

A SEVERE CONDEMNATION OF THE SPECIAL LEG
IsLArIoN IN ITS FAVOR
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir In the interest about the action Of the Legslat-
upon subjects that appear TO be OF larger conse-
ouence everybody to have overlooked the
fact that after long and unequal contest the at
tempt 10 secure for the New-York Law School tho
Independent degree -conferring power has at last
been achieved. Some notice ought to be taken OF
A. Mr. Frank Plat must be either of re-
markabIe ability and unusual influence. or else the
son of mis- father" With a confidence rare in one
so young he has scorned all assistance in his SIN
gle-handed fight for the school, and has conquered.
Agains; him arrayed the whole educational In
fuence OF the State-the Board Of Regents, tho
presidents and chancelors OF universities the deans
OF law schools everything that is either educated or
educating. and they are discounted.
He fixed" so a Senator said, every member OF
and dead upon their ears His whole appeal before
the committees was an appeal TO preJualce' based
bitter personal attack upon Secretary Dewey. Dis
Claimed anu uenleu' ne Fun l 'lssIu ta' ~ sj
con; the three years course proposal whch tle fe-
gents had not had time TO act on was never adopted
Inc old TWO years course remained, the Regents as
evidence OF their good faith unanimously voted TO
ask that the Legislature should deal hereafter with
all questions the length Of courses of study for
degrees IN all professional schools as they 90 now
with medical dental ana other schools: the Regents
right to conduct their examinations either by
their faculties, or by examiners appointed by the
aminors in Law
or TO the Legislature The whole matter stated
and urged before the Governor by very large dele
cation from various educational institutions, and
Mr. Platts only reply was recital of the Old
grievances, which were either mere suspicious. or
where they had any reality, had been removed
coupled with a contemptuOus dismissal OF the Re-
gents slur upon all the other law schools of the
State, and "A restatement OF mis- distrust Of Secre-
tary Dewey. In this hearing again he was alone
and here again he won. And the Governor has now
signed the bill which Is bit of special legislation
of the worst sort. which was proved TO be abso-
luteiy unnecessary; which was opposed by every
body VINO represented educational experience or
character in the State: which gives the degree-con-
OF permanence which violates the plain requirements
lar law school two contradictory charters which
violates the unity OF the State system OF higher and
professional education: which opens the way 10 d
multiplication OF Insignificant schools with power 10
confer degrees; which belites the value OF all de-
grees and imperils the standards OF higher educa-
ton
is this another case Of tanning? Is Il one In
stance, added 10 great many others OF Plattism,
this time in the second degree? Is IL proof
that the legend OF this Administration ought 10 he
paraphrase OF the old Latin saying PLAT nomi-
mis- umbra| Whatever II is, II IS blot on Legisla-
ton, hurt 10 education. discreditabe and disas-
trous piece OF business, and one for which the Re-
publican party will have to reckon at the next cleo
tion with a body Of voters, not only large in
per but Weghiy IN their influence. their intell-
gence and their independence
Albany, April e. 1897