The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1904-01-11
woMANs GRASP OF THE
She shows Much Ability as Str lent
and Is Forging to the
Front.


In competition with nearly 200 men, a
young woman leads the junior law class
in the New York university.
There is a general impression that
the feminine mind is less able to grap-
pie with legal principles than the mas
culine,' said Prof Ashley, dean Of the
law school of the university, accord
ing 10 the New York Sun. Il once
had this idea myself, but my experience
here has taught me better.
Taken collectively. the young -wom-
en- who have attended our law Saasses
have almost invariably stood higher in
their studies than the men; and since
| have been connected with the school
there has been no class in which the
most brilliant man has not been rivaled
or surpassed by woman.
THE young woman who was at the
head Of her class last term has not lost
her lead. although some very bright
young men are trying hard to wrest the
honor from her. The indications are
that she will hold it till she has gradu-
ated
Il might mention number of in
stances Of girls with exceptionally fine
legal minds The most brilliant student
in law we ever had at the university was
a woman. she had taken up the law,
not to practice it. but merely to man
age more intelligently some property
she owned
"Not more than three or four of the
so women now taking the law course IN
tend to embark in practice. A consider
able number are women of means, who
don't want to be altogether dependent
upon the lawyers in the management Of
their properties. Others are business
women who are ambitious TO acquire a
good round business equipment
More are in real estate than in any
other occupation. The number in our
classes who want to specialize in real
estate law has grown steadily within the
last two or three years.
This circumstance has led me to
think that more and more women are en-
tering the real estate field. 1t seems to
me it is an excellent move.
"A woman, knowing more about the
needs of a dwelling house than most
men, ought to be specially convincing
in talking about the details of properties
Of this kind. understand that num-
Der Of women who have taken the law
course here have found this field lu-
crative one.
Some Of our students are stenog-
raphers in downtown Offices. They
have no intention of always being
stenographers
They intend that knowledge OF the
law. for one thing, shall make them
more valuable to their employers and
bring them higher salaries. For these
we have night class
''Thc girls are very much in earnest.
Tired though they are from their days
work, they come here evening after
evening. sacrificing almost all social
pleasures.
II have often been asked If women
who show marked talent for the study
Of law aren't masculine In their mental
makeup. There seems to be a prevail
ing idea to this effect but it is quite
mistaken.
THE characteristics suggested by the
word strong minded have been wholly
absent from most of our best women
students. They have been altogether
feminine. lacking none Of the little airs
and graoes that make woman charm
ing.
Judging from the effects, should
say that they devote as much time and
thought 10 ae.r clothes as any Of their
sisters. and yet have heard them dis
cuss involved legal principles with a
clearness and force.ulness that have
caused the toss 10 show to very poor
advantage"