New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-10-21
MISS GOULD READS ADDRESS.
OPENING OF WOMANs LAW CLAss-DR
ASHLEY TO CONTINUE PROFESSOR
RUSSELL'S WORK

In cap and gown Miss Helen Miller Gould ap-
oeared before the Womans Law Class Of New
fork University yesterday morning. and in the alb
ience az Or. MacCracken delivered the chancel-
or's address Miss Gould, it will be recalled, is
1oe-pFesdent OF the association. the Woman s
legal Education Society which endowed the chair
u lecturer 10 the womans law class
This the opening of the tenth scholastic year OF
ne class IS marked by the retirement Of Professor
.saac Franklin Russell, who for ten years past has
conducted the work which viii now be carried on
BY Dr. Clarence u. Ashley, the senior lecturer.
4 number OF the alumnse were present ar yester-
lays meeting. in the lecture OF the Univer-
MY BUILDING Washington Square. and listened
with the class, 10 addresses by Mrs. John p. Mum
president Of the Woman's Legal Education So
aety' Dean Ashley and Professor Russell. The
after spoke OF the leaven OF woman's influence
md personality in al the departments OF the bust
less world as one Of the most encouraging and
Desirable features Of the present day
N!ti4in The last ten years" ne said. -four bold
authors have written books treating of law for
women, and academic classes for legal study com
posed exclusively Of women. have been organized
~ sIcA great centres as Washington, New-York
BROOKLYN Philadelphia Bryn MaWr. Bqnalo and
Ban francisco Colleges Tor women are now
s'lhg attention 10 law as q proper part
y curriculum Of scholastic studies framed
% meet the demands Of general culture rather
ran The needs Of professional training Women
are now admitted 10 the highest honors Of forensic
advocates a. Paris and doctorates in the law az
many universities on the mainland Of Europe In
america women practise al the bar OF the highest
courts IN almost an Of the States OF the Union.
Law. as viewed by the general public presents
most unatfra Give field for exploration, for il is
'lbhornly regarded as a body Of rules regulating
me procedure md sittings OF courts the language
H written Instruments and the order OF judicial
INJURY and determination Il is hidden deep down
Under mass OF forms and niceties. and sUstains
terrible burden of pedantic erudition and recon-
Ute and mystic learning. beWildering and disheart-
81 Ems 10 me student Women IN particular have
~ interest On mere war OF words. But when once
CIV " qpeTy appears m us scientific and philo-
.-eAclet as inculcating lofty morality ard exhib-
,-As e1 exalted standard Of right. teaching
t5e oo5 nt9 Ihe face and hear The voice OF G9d
l.ne nature, Of jurisprudence evokes the reverent
some considerable knowledge OF law. then should
% solsht by every human being who aspires 10
zeal education
Special occasions may cali for feminine elo-
counsel on one side or female witness TO be
..oss-eNam mined may compel the employment Of
Parties 10 cause. But forensic eloquence. or for
Iatt OF the daily employment OF successful law
sH OF the eleven thousand lawyers IN this
y nor one IN ten appears regularly in the courts;
nc rest support themselves by Office practice and
ton-ltgdted business
Inc clerical force Of law Office is generally
1; imposed y women in large part. similarly places
$50, S ptoc oiHl service az G4Stot n houses a.o
tslolces and IN state ana fnunlclpal departments
o executive administration, are stations where
aii'. may aQNdltd stou~4t DC pldtt-u I OF Su-i4
i-ncuons. merely clerical. but often conhden-
lA. woman has The highest qualifications in her
great COnscientiOusness her neat Ia bits and con-
slant devotion and regularity. Her presence, TOO.
.sa.ates refining influences through all her sur
Ioom where she sits il al least insures dignity
ana gravity Of dcmeanor the part OF her male
associates THAT must always enhance the efficiency
q tAe Oflce as = whole.
|, he inzlruction OF women in the elements OF the
aN mas enough 10 support II, aside from providing
Qualifications for forensic advocacy. or for the
W- tsrI sphere OF ofhce praetice as an attorney.
y oman has absolute control Of her property,
Ifal and personal and is admitted by the law 70
ne grave responsibilities Of executor. trustee and
sfotan. She needs legal knowledge not 10 en-
le her 20 be her own lawyer. but 70 qualify her
r appreciate and act upon legal counsel under
sl-lclnEly. II woman Is continue 10 hgure
capitalist taxpayer ntigant and. perhaps voter.
p more and more liberal scale, she ought GER
eln'N 10 make herself master OF the rudiments
'i legal science
after the preliminary exercises Miss Gould and
Us Mum held informal reception for the stu
7nts and alumna present