New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-26
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
WOULD INCREASE BAR REQUIREMENTS
a Proposal as to Applicants and Their Ex-
aminations.

Ts the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Indeed. there are lawyers plenty. They now
number eighteen thousand They always viii be In
abundance and profusion. New ones spring into bud
and flower at the rate Of thousand each year.
Mutitudes OF law schools are hard at work nurtur-
ing The embryos. The garden OF the legal pro-
fesson is greatly congested While the ground is
limited. yet the material for growth is plenu-
full. Could this phenomenal growth be improved ?
Improvement must necessarily retard It. But would
retardation be blessing to the public, to
the profession and to the aspirants3
The asprants are admitted too young. The age
for admission should be changed from twentyone to
thirty. Sensible viii not entrust their affairs
70 a lawyer who is merely subordinate boy.
The learning required for a license is too little.
It should include. at least, the fine arts anthro-
pology, astronomy. agriculture, botany, civ!cs,
commerce, composition, ethics. economics. English.
engineering geology. geography. grammar. history,
literature. Latin, logic. mathematics. medicine.
philosophy, physics physiology, rhetoric, sociology,
theology, and zoology, besides law. At present
1t only partially covers seven OF those subjects,
A test OF knowledge should be only by actual
examination before the State boards of University
Regents and Law Examiners. 1t should not be
satisfied by the production of any college diploma
any courts license Because, II. in this free field
for ALL the aspirants that have not had the ad-
vantage OF attendance at a college outclass the
asprants that produce college diplomas and fail
the proverbisl presumption Of merit accorded
diplomas and licenses is thereby conclusvely proved
70 be violent Why should unlearned man be
admitted to a learned profession? Every cause
offered him by time and fortune will be too heavy
for him.
Advocate the enactment by the legislature of the
proposed bill 10 raise the standard for admission
to the bar. Help ennobie the legal profession
You know there always viii be plenty OF At asplr-
ants that will the highest hurdles tSay
learning, judgment and cOnScienceD that possibly
can be set across the course to the bar with ease.
An act to amend Section IS OF the Code OF civil
Procedure relative to applicants for admission to
the bar:
section l. Section IS Of the Code Of Civil Pro-
cedure IS hereby amended by striking out 'or with
an examination" and adding at the foot Of the sec
ton: -,
have passed after fun age, on examination Con
Quoted under the authority and In accordance with
the ordinance and rules OF the University of the
State of New-York) in the fine arts, anthropology,
astronomy, agriculture. botany. civics, commerce,
composition ethics. economics, English, engineer
ing geology. geography, grammar, history, ntera-
ture, Latin, logic mathematics, medicine, phil
osophy. physics, physiology, rhetoric. sociology,
theology. and zoology and in such aGdltonai
subjects the university may add and also shall
have passed. within three years thereafter, an ex-
animation conducted under the authority ana IN
accordance with the rules Of the State Board OF
Law Examiners and OF the Court Of Appeals) In
Law"
Sec . This act shall take effect Immediately but
II shall apply to applicant whose clerkship
n attendance at a law school law department
aforesaid according 10 the rules Of said court has
commenced who is now attending any college
or university. WILLIAM HENRY KNOX.
November q 1908.