Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-10
The Legal Profession.
(Memphis Commerciai-Appef

tMemDHlS
Commenting on the statement tnat
there are in the United States 5000 prac-
ticing lawyers or one to every $40 popu-
lation, the Atlanta Constitution advises
young men to consider well before enter
ing a profession that Is so overcfowded.
The same advice might be given with re-
ference 10 any other trade or profession.
II there Is a branch OF industry that Is
not overcrowded II would be interesting
TO have some one point il out. During
the hot summer months there is deartn
of tie-makers in the Mississippi bottoms
because It is difficult to find men who can
stand the climate. During harvest time
there Is a demand for field hands In the
Northwest because the grain ripens ra-
pidly. and it is impossible to get men
enough on short notice. Aside from
cases of this character, and they are
few and isolated. everything else Is
crowded. There are too many doctors,
lawyers. bankers. teachers. preachers
bricklayers. printers, professors, colo
nels. captains, and politicians. There
are too many men in all the activities.
Some days ago a Memphis firm wanted
some one to fill a subordinate clerical po-
sition. and put q three-line advertise
ment in the columns of the Commercial
Appeal In less than As hours more tnan
200 responses were received. More than
800 people were dissatisfied with their en-
vironments and desired a change. Ii 10
not the law alone that is overcrowded
and anything that may be urged against
entering the legal profession can be used
with equal force against any other pur-
suit. On the other hand, much can be
said for a legal education. and even for
an attempt to practice, however unsuc-
cessful that attempt may be.
There is no course of study and no sys-
tenn of education SO effective in strength
ening the mind and broadening the base
Of understanding. Men who are success
full in almost every calling in life began
as lawyers. Besides the $1,000 practl-
TONERS in the United States there are,
perhaps. another 5000 who were educa-
ted for the legal profession and who fol-
lower 1t until they found something more
congenial to their tastes and more adapt
ed TO their talents, or who were forced
out of the ranks on account of unhtness.
If missiles be thrown in four directions
where men are congregated nine times
out of ten three of them will hit an eX-
lawyer and rarely a man who Is not
making some sort Of success OF lie. "A
thorough legal education is worth more
TO young man than present OF SZoVV'
even though ne should never practice. lie
has learned at least TO speak and think,
blessings possessed by few outside the
legal profession. He can then take his
chances at anything. He can then take
Emersons advice and team IL awhile,
teach awhile, preach awhile. run for Con-
gress awhile, organize a town lot conpa-
ny awhile or do anything which MS
hands find to do until he strikes upon the
proper thing, until he becomes we'll
rounded, fully-developed. wide-awake
man, and not a one-sded and dependent
weakiing. Without going into any OF
those extravagant panegyrics that have
been pronounced on the law as n science,
It may be said that a legal education
gives courage and confidence, provokes
mental aggressiveness where the friction
of mind upon mind brightens the intel
lect and makes the sparks fly to illumine
the understanding. There will always De
more lawyers than will make success
OF the profession, just as there Is always
more in any calling than make sue
cesses, but this does not change the tact
that preparation for the bar Is pre-
paration for life. no matter In what
questionable shape 1t may appear.