New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-07
NEED OF A LEGAL BUREAU.
ANNETTE FISKE. THE ATTORNEY, TELLS
HOW THE POOR ARE wRONGED
PEOPLE OF WEALTH. SHE SAYS. OUGHT TO Es-
TABLIsH WORK FOR THE PROTECTION

OF FRIESDLESs WOMEN
III success In the practice OF law means solely
the ability 20 make money" said Miss Annette
Fiske. the attorney. II am not yet profess
sonal success. But | have been able TO render aid
TO poor unfortunate. deserving OF New
York. women penness. fr.endless and wronged
by INSCRIPTIONS men. and on that account can
no; call myself a failure.
My opportunity Tor doing good among this class
has been greatly hampered by lack Of means 10
carry on the work seek TO do There is a great
unworkcd field IN New-York City FOR women OF
legal knowledge New-York is the Mecca OF the
United States. Thither flock women in pursuit or
livelihood. Large numbers come under contract.
| agreements made through correspondence and hnd
that contractors fail TO keep their agreements
Women fad themselves deceived daily by en-
ploycrs. Frlendess and unknown. they soon be-
come penniless and desperate. The complaints that
come TO ne from women who have been wronSed
By INSCRIPTIONS powerful corporations
would Ill volume.
Women have established many missions where
spiritual food is 10 be had they have founded
charity associations where work. clothing and
| temporary financial aid are given deserving ap-
plicants. and where they trained TO earn a
| livelihood. Women have endowed hospitals AND
dispensaries. but no woman. so far as know mas
established d bureau whore women in trouble and
in need Of legal Information. practical legal aid
can find honest assistance. There IS great heeo
OF such a bureau In New-York
III some OF the wealthy. charitably disposed
women. in which the city Is so rich. could encoun-
/ ter the cases that come under my observation IN
the courts and me privacy Of the Office they
would not hesitate TO .mmortalize their names by
endowing a womans legal aid society.
at is my dream TO see such an institution IN
practical operation in this city. would have II
/ under the auspices OF corporation OF women
whose sole purpose would be 10 help women II
certainly would not be on n basis where 20 per
cent OF the funds subscribed would he expended in
rents and fancy salaries to favored few OF mo
Board OF Directors whose chief duty would be TO
sit in finely furnished Offices and trained 10 give
nisgardly response 10 inquiries and refuse all tx
PLANTATION II It happens 20 he closing noun "hen
the bureau IA sought by the woman In distress
The bureau which hope to see established Will
be a hive Of earnest workers. II Will be divided
into several legal departments whore each appN-
cant Will receive prompt attention and be furnished
with the necessary means to prosecute. where II
is needed. and not be asked 10 contribute from her
scant earnings to the cost Of a trial. The bureau
would not aspire TO take from men their law prac-
t!ce. hut II would aspire to protec; the deserving
woman an .,,,o,, ,o,a,. ~ defend
detail their defender Will investigate. II they are
innocent their release Is secured How Is II WIN
the poor unknown woman. Inc cily 10 t t,6o
with a district attorney AZ salary OF .l-'o
year. H mas eight assistant CONTEMPORARIES
attorneys salaries $500 20 800 together WIN
police force OF eight thousand men n't"'tIN'
bureau and all money a, his command 10 assist
him prosecute. Against such odds what chance
has a poor woman 10 prove her innocence
True. II she IL not able 70 employ counsel NE
Court will assign lawyer 20 defend her; and no
may do his best and fail Excep; IN murder cases
the rule OF the Court prohibits him TO receive com
pensatlon fcr hts services. How many lawyers IN
the criminal courts AFFORD 10 give th"ir ser
vices spend their own money to investgate
facts and events. preceding the crime charged. SO
as TO have an intelligent and truthful knowledge
with which 10 properly defend thcir client Ofteh
a case Is called counsel assigned and a Trial pro-
ce.ir Wit nj
anxious a trial. believing that they Will b." In
ncdately released while me guilty wish time 10
prepare Let cite ono Of many cases that have
como my knowledge.
* young woman was recently arrested IN this
CITY for larceny. Despite prot.stations OF innO-
ccnce she imprisoned IN the Tonhs. and tho
sought ' her at a m Iic tod h,r that fc was
sorry for her and believed that she was innocent
OF the charge
III you will sign a paper | have. he urged
with plausible bandishments. wili guarantee you
The young woman signed the paper. II was
release The accuser had found out that he had
accused the woman wrongts.y and he feared she
mcnt. when the whe summoned the young
man who had called upon her stated In court
that his client did not wish to prosecute tho
woman. The Indictment was consequently dis
missed, but withou; the woman's name being
cleared OF the crime charged.
Had the bureau hope TO See established been
In existence n lawyer would have been dispatched
the woman at once She would have been tn
formed Of her legal rights. been indicated and
would have recovered damages OF her accuser FOR
false imprisonment
the Woman's Law Glass at the University broaden
it's scope OF usefulness moro effectively than to
establish socie,y for tho protection OF the legal
rights OF women.