The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-25
From the New York Sun.

N-HERE is a merry little institution
w down in Nashville, Tenn. which
is scattering over the country on
the warm spring breezes kindly offers to
confer upon various and sundry individ-
uals the degree of doctor of laws at the
small price-perhaps 1t should be called
honorarium--of $40 a degree The institu-
ton is called the Nashville College Of
Law, and it's head is at pains to describe
himself, on envelopes which he encloses
already addressed to himself. as we'll as
on letterheads as William Farr, Phi. D.,
LII D., after which sometimes appears
dean" and sometimes president"
Mr.. Farr is being heard from in differ
ent parts of the country. One gentleman
in New York who was about to send him
the necessary $40 withheld his generous
hand at the last moment, and through
friends inquired from Nashville who and
what Farr was. He learned that, while
the Nashville College of Law was incor-
porated, 1t had assumed in It's literature,
which 1t scattered over the country, pow
ers not granted in the charter.
He learned further that the Bar associa-
ton of Tennessee had been compelled to
give such attention Mr.. Fairs college
operations that a bill was passed by the
last legislature depriving his college of
the right to grant law licenses, since
which time he has been selling honorary
degrees from his room in a boarding
house." which one letter from Nashville
describes as the home of the college"
But, whether from the modest domicile
of a boarding house or in some fitting
home for The American Institute Of Lee
gal Lore" Ia subtitle for the college used
on the letterheadD. Dean Farr pursues his
way to the hearts and purses of degree
craving citizens, with persistence and vol
luminous beguiling. Under date of May 7,
he wrote to a New York surgeon in these
words:
In accordance with a time honored Gus
tom, the college will confer title upon
some worthy educator or jurist of your
state, by bestowlng the degree of doc
tor of laws, LII. D., and, in harmony
with the annual custom established by the
leading American and European colleges,
after long continued usage, your name
has been suggested as one from your
state of ability, morality and integrity
and worthy of this distinction, and, upon
the presentation of the proper application
and data, the title will be conferred at
the coming meeting of the board of trus-
tees. There are no fees attached, as it is
purely honorary, except the cost of the
issuance of the diploma.
The college diploma is suitable to frame
and place in the home or office and
testimonial of honor, prestige, efficiency
and worth.
Mr.. Farr incloses a blank application
for the degree which he asks to have
filled out, and he requests that it's return
to him be accompanied by check for
the incidental fee" He inclosed, also
blank post-office order application in
the sum of $40. The surgeon was about
to allow Mr.. Farr to accomplish the ia
nous trick of Mr.. Billings of Louisville,
who touched for ten" so successfully,
when certain questions in the application
blank struck him as a bit curious. There
were, for instance, such questions as
these:
do you believe In the coeducation OF
the sexes in a college of law?"
'Name the church of your choice
What is your political belief in ma
tional affars?"
Are you a member OF any secret So
ciety? What?'
do you take daily exercise?'
And this Farrian misquotation, which
seemed strange in the literature Of SO
august a college: "Was Pope right In
saying, drink deep or taste not of the
Pierian spring.
The application closed with another
reminder of the $40.
The surgeon also thought that he would
like to learn who 1t was who had suggest
ed his name to Mr.. Farr, so he wrote to
inquire and received this reply: :
your name was selected by our trav-
elling representative, Mr.. ]. Wright,
d. c. L.. who was In your state some
time the latter part OF March or the first
of April This selection was made by
him upon the recommendation of promi-
nent persons in your state, whose names
1 am unable to give at this time. as Mr..
Wright Is now in illinois,
Mr Farr closed, with the assurance
that he was awaiting his correspondence
further pleasure. His wait is likely to be
an indefinite one.
Among the interesting literature which
| the surgeon treasures as a memento of
his discovery by Mr.. Farr or by ].
Wright is a pamphlet which contains
Mr.. Fairs portrait in three places
alone, en- groupe and in the act entitled
| William Farr, Phi. D.. LII. D.. deliver
ing his famous address on The Study
and Profession of Law" The PAM
phlet tells where Mr.. Fairs 'IntuitionaI
Treatise on the Elements and Principles
of American Law may be obtained
Mr. Fairs pamphlet on behalf Of the
alumni, earnestly appeals to all lovers
| of the. law. The Mother of Our Peace