The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1897-06-18

an Office, and | had no influence whatev-
er which might procure clients. This
horrible idleness is the cause of my con-
dition. This hopeless longing-this sham
ming employment, this unholY waste OF
time, this humiliating lack of money,
when ought to be earning an abund-
anCe cannot meet the responsibilities
of life. have never taken my place sin
the great army of bread-winners. | have
never been a useful man"
Probably the worst place in the world
for such a man in the law was New York.
In the limits of the greater city there are
over 5000 lawyers, or at least one to ev-
cry 80 OF the inhabitants, including
children, women and the nearly desti-
tute. When one considers the immense
amount OF business that goes to the lead
ing 100 law firms of the city, the struggle
for existence among the remaining 1000
and odd can dimly be imagined. The
competition and strife for clerkships in
the established law firms is something
terrific, and the pay these lawyer clerks
receive is often ridiculous 20 contemplate.
Not long ago a talented young man, a
college graduate, who had been earning
about $1,000 year in a small New Eng
land county seat, in order to secure that
"wider field" which all young lawyers
so ardently desire, accepted place as
clerk in New York lawyers office. At
ter a stay Of some months he met on the
street one day an acquaintance who was
also college graduate, and who at one
time had been the private secretary of
cabinet minister in Washington. He also
had become employed in a certain law
firm in New York. How much do you
get?" asked the former private secre-
tary of cabinet minister. "Seyen dol
laas a week." answered the talented
young man from the county seat. my
God!" exclaimed the other in surprise,
~ get only five" New York is full of
lawyers of university training and more
experience than either of those two
young men, who skimp along on incomes
no larger than they were receiving.
The evidence is found in such advertise
ments, taken from the New York Law
Journal, as these:
A bright, middle-aged lawyer (notary)
thorough in practice and prodecure, de-
sires managing clerkship; salary moder-
ate.
A young attorney, with six years ex-
perience, good references, desires posi-
ton; salary $40.
Wanted-position as law clerk or
stenographer, by lawyer eight years at
bar; highest references; salary So per
week.
Clerkship Notwithstanding or as
sistant; competent attorney; college and
law school (Columbia) highest refer
ences moderate salary.
Wanted-Bright young attorney (ad-
mitted) familiar with city practice; in
law department mercantile agency; sal
airy to begin, S..
Wanted-By attorney, 15-years' prac-
tiee, position in law firm as managing
clerk or assistant in trial of cases; will
take So per week.
Where competition for legal practice
is so intense as in New York, the profes-
sion naturally develops methods that are
curious and novel to persons acquainted
only with the practice in the small towns
and cities. In the smaller field the sue
cessful lawyer must not only attract the
clients, but do his own law and office
work. Popular social qualities, ease
and facility in making friends, together
with knowledge of the law and shrewd-
ness in practice, make combination
that gives it's possessor, as a general
thing, considerable to hope for. In New
York, however, the necessity for making
an incessant hunt for clients has caused
marked differentiation of talents. We
now see specialization of social quail
ties as distinct from knowledge of the
law or ability to practice it. A New
York lawyer of middle age and good
standing socially, not long ago sought to
make partnership with a younger man
who had no acquaintance whatever in
New York, but was we'll equipped for
the burden of office work or preparing
cases. The older man felt the necessity
Of devoting himself very largely to so
ciety, going and coming on all sorts of
social occasions day and night in order
that he might extend his acquaintance
and thus draw in clients whose business
the Office man would attend to. Many |
are made nowadays on this |
one member OF the firm being !