New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-09-08
LAW SCHOOLS AND LAWYERS


The address made by DR. Russell, Of the Law
School of New-York University, at Saratoga yes
terday dealt with a topic which appeals prac-
tlcally to both professional and lay interest. Law
schools are crowded. OF that there is no doubt.
There are those who regard them rs over
crowded. and reckon that the annual output Of
law graduates Is greater than the welfare OF the
community requires. Among these, however,
Dr. Russell is not 10 be numbered. He looks
upon the Increasing numbers Of law students
with approval and beyond doubt is right In
so doing. from his point Of view. 1t would be
we'll If that were the point Of view Of all. and
osDcclallv Of all lawyers and law students, but
il is to be feared that it Is not
The multiplication Of law students is, in Or.
Russelrs view merely an indication Of the eX-
tension Of liberal culture. II does not neces-
sarllv mean more litigation. nor even more prac-
Using lawyers: for many Of these students will
ultimately enter other professions or businesses.
II means simply that a knowledge of law IS
being added TO The other requirements of higher
education: that men are studying law rs they
study history. sciences and hnguaSes' not Tor
tn. sake Of practising H. but for the sake Of the
mental discipline it affords and for the sake Of
its general effect upon the intellectual. moral
value of legal studies in such respects Or in
respect Of the practical aid they afford in the
nursnit of other callngs. II would De most
agreeable and suspicious to he assured that
considerable and increasing number of young
men are both able and willing for such reasons
10 add fcw years in law school TO their
college or university life
This would also suggest the strong desira
/ oil hfc
Wow. Of the caso and giving instruction ac-
cordngy DR. Russell reminds Us that the
length Of course and standards Of scholarship
have been and are being raised. That Is well
If knowledge II law is 10 be- part Of all liberal
culture. then conversely liberal culture should
bc possessed. so FAR as possible by all who de-
vote themselves 10 the practice Of the law.
We have reached stage I'm our intellectual
DEVELOPMENT whore This is possible. ~ any rate.
in many Of the States of the Union. and it may
soon become an urgent question whether it Is
not desirable generally 10 make, as some in
| stitutions now make. a college course or IT'S
eauivalcnt . prerequisite 10 matrlculation in a
law school
This princne. at any rate should he made
more and more 10 prevail that the aim Of the
law student is not merely to prepare for ltica-
ton and the aim Of the lawyer not to promote
LITIGATION ON the contrary n is 10 avoid H. TO
obviafo II. and ultimately NJ least i'm theory
10 abolish it, Let us take example from the
fellow profession Of medicine The doctor
strives 10 cure illness when It occurs, but we
can conceive Of nothing more Infamous than
for him 10 spread contaeion or 10 ageravnte
and urolong a case Of Illness for the sake Of the
fees he would thereby gain. And his incessani
effort u.s. or should be. so 10 promote good
health and sanitary conditions that there shall
be- If possible no more illness. Who shall say
that it IS not comparably Infamous for the Law
Yer 10 spread dissension. 10 provoke litigation
or TO- prolong needlossly single suit, Who
shall say that IL is not comparahy incumbent
upon him 10 promote obedience to the law
! and orderly and legal methods Of transactine