The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-07-03
THE BAR ASSOCIATION.

| tory of North Carolina when it was not
blessed with strong and able bar. II
boosted of Iredell and Moore in the early
days. The names of most of the men
who have given lustre to North Carolina
have been members of the legal profes
sion. At every crisis in the States his
tory. in every section, almost always it
has been a member of that honorable
profession to whom the people have looked
to lead. 1t was more so formerly than
now, because before the press reached the
ent for leadership in civil matters upon
the lawyer, as in religious matters they
looked for guidance to the preachers.
While the unquestioned power of the law
yer has seemed to wane because all the
people have risen to a higher degree OF
intelligence, it is still true that they
exercise great power in North Carolina,
and in most cases that power is exercised
for the good of the commonwealth.
ton has called together the members of
this noble profession, upon whom chiefly
rests, in the last analysis, the making,
executing and Interpretation of the States
laws AS judges, solicitors, legislators,
practicing attorneys they are largely re-
sponsible for the conduct of our cDurts,
the sort of laws we frame, and the man
ner of the execution of the law. The
Superior court judge is clothed with more
real power than any public officer among
US, and next to him comes the solicitor.
Are the laws in North Carolina fairly, inn
partially, speedily enforced? Is justice
meted out fairly? Do evil doors stand in
terror of the law? Do the people look
up confidently to the courts to do JUS
tice between man and man, 'unawed by
influence and unbribed by gain?" II SO,
and wherever this is true, the chief glory
belongs to the members of the legal pro-
fession, whether practicing in the courts
or elevated to the responsible positions
of Judge or solicitor. For their influence
in the administration of justice is so great
that they largely guide and control it.
Are the people in any section losing faith
in the courts of justice? DO they believe
that the courts are not quick to punish
crime2 Is there a growing sentiment that
l. se<1~~ t.
that some solicitors dc not prosecute Wig
orcusly those who have great influence Do
we find feeling that judges arc too prone
to suspend judgment upon payment OF
costs and to withhold merited punish
ment from the guilty? If any of these
things be true, in large or small degree,
the responsibility rests largely at the doors
OF the legal profession. 1t is their duty,
in a judicial spirit, to seek to answer
these questions, and if there is founda-
ton for any distrust in the administration
of Justice, it rests with the Bar Asso-
citation to find the remedy and apply IT.
This is true: in almost every county IN
North Carolina you find members OF the
bar leading in every good word and
work, full of public spirit, ready to spend
and be spent for the public good. No
profession. except the editorial profession,
does so much work for the public with
out compensation. They make for sound
public sentiment, for progress, for JUS
tice, for educational advantages for all
the children OF the State. But while this
is true of the bulk of the legal probes
sion, it is also true that in too many COM
there are men in the profess
sion who bring reproach upon it. The
good men see and deplore the presence
of shysters and unworthy men who live by
tricks, chicanery, packing juries and other
conduct. They ply their
trade successfully because they
are licensed attorneys-officers of the
court. If they did the dirty tricks that
effect a miscarriage of justice without
law license, they would not be tolerated.
Every now and then some lawyer collects
money from client, puts it in his pock-
ct, and there is no redress. The good
men in the profession will not prosecute
the rascal. There has grown up new
line of business out of which some law
yers make money-lobbying legislators.
carrying on campaigns for candidates,
and other unprofessional conduct. In
some instances 1t has actually occurred
that the law partner of member of the
Legislature spends the entire session in
Raleigh lobbying and his partner always
voting and speaking for the side which
pays his partner fees. Lobbying. packing
juries, selling ones influence upon the
protence of rendering professional SER
vice-these are the three things, the trim