The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-20
Lawyers as Executive Omcers.

The new Secretary OF War. Mr.. EL1Hu
RooT, has taken hold Of the work of his
Office In quiet but thorough way, which
promises we'll for his success in administer
Hing it. He makes no promises, and no
boasts, but Is getting familiar with the facts
and the evidence. as he would with those of
q case he had to try in court, and as soon
as he has mastered them, he will go ahead
In q manner. which, we are confident, will
satisfy the nation.
In spite OF widespread belief to the
contrary, the training OF a good lawyer Is
the best possible preparation for the duties
Of an executive Office. The mere fact that
lawyers are 80 often called upon to under
tahe these duties, is OF itself conclusive
argument in favor of their fitness for them.
Ignorant demagogues may declaim as
much as they please against the prepon-
derance In the government Of men OF the
loyal profession, but iftheir objections were
justified the people would have long
ago found it out. That SO many lawyers
are sent to Legislatures and to Congress,
and are elected as Mayors, Governors and
even Presidents proves that experience in
practising law does not disqualfy, at least,
Successful lawyers, more than men In
I any other calling, are required to possess a
general knowledge OF things. In the course
of their practice they are obliged to make
themselves acquainted with all sorts of
business. scientific and industrial matters.
Every important case compels them to
study not only the law bearing upon it,
but the mercantile, commercial and manu-
featuring principles which 1t involves.
Patent-law lawyers, especially, have to be
as we'll acquainted with modern science as
II they were college professors, aRd even
more So but apart from this special class
no lawyer can successfully advise his eli
| ents, or try their cases in court, who does
| not know as much as they do about the de-
tails Of the matter involved. The acquiring
OF this knowledge, quickly and thoroughly,
becomes n habit and begets q skill, which,
applied to public affairs, is Invaluable.
A good lawyer too, becomes accustomed
| to e1actness and precision In conducting
business. He finds, early in his career, that
his opponents are on the lookout for flaws
| in his contracts, In his pieadings and in the
evidence which he offers when trying case
| or arguing it to the court, and he takes his
| precautions accordingly. The loosc phrase
| ology and imperfect expression OF mean
ing, Of even the best business men, are,
as he sees, the principal sources OF the
| litigation which he is called upon to con-
| duct, and he takes warning by theiE exam
pie. Hence, In public Office. lawyer
will avoid many mistakes into which a lay
man would fall, and he thus prevents
troublesome disputes.
Moreover q knowledge Of law is OF itself
most useful a we'll to public officers us to
managers OF private enterprises. An ounce
OF prevention is worth pound OF cure, and
II presidents Of corporations and heads OF
private firms We're better instructed
in law than many OF them are, they
would ~ better qualified for their
positions. There are numerous instances
in which lawyers have taken charge of rail-
roads. manufacturing. financial and even