The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-03-03
The State Uniuersitu

the trying ordeal OF acquiring his
learning in private Office would de-
cry the modern law school with its
up-to-date methods and advantages.
The trials and tedium of the ordinary
law Office are known only to those that
have gained their legal learning in
this manner. True, many of OUT best
lawyers are trained in the Office with
out ever entering a school; but that
does not say that it was due to the
method alone. How much better would
those lawyers have been had they ad-
ded to this training and experience the
advantages to be gained at a school
of law? The school of practical ex-
of theory is quite as necessary 20
make the finished product. What, then,
are the advantages Of the regular
school over the private method? First,
there is the advantage of systematic
study. Unless the student is already
experienced in the methods of study it
will be impossible for him to grasp
the subject as he can when it is out
lined and laid directly before him. See
the young lawyer in his office, he takes
up a text book on the subject IT
"TortS," difficult and important
branch. He reads a page or more and
is called away, but he returls and
again takes up the book. Perhaps af-
ter many Interruptions he has passed
over ten or more pages, but his ideas
are indefinite, they are not fixed as
they would be had a case or more
been read TO pant the principle firmly
in the mind. After dabbling in this or
that kind of a work for several days
he again comes back to "Torts' the
train of reasoning and thought, unless
he is a brilliant, has been lost and ne
must begin again in an Indefinite way.
Such disadvantages are overcome in
the school by the continued use of
case books, a better equipped library,
and attention to the students line Of
work. 1t is impossible in the busy
law Office for the student to get the
proper attention, and systematic meth
cd of study.
Another advantage is that gained by
examinations, tests, and practice in
Moot court. The lawyer seldom gives
these to the young man in the Office.
He is turned loose" on a sea Of
books. His progress is never tested.
He reaches no definite point. All that
can be said is, that "he is in the SWIM"
All these disadvantages leads per-
son to doubt whether it is the more
practical method. He cannot come in
contact with the method of procedure
until he is admitted, but the practice
in Moot court to be had at the law
school overcomes this great disadvant-
age.
A third favoring circumstance is
personal element, the personal contact.
Here is an adva1tag that is almost
invaluable. Nothing is more beneficial
to the student than competition. That
rubbing up against each other in class,
in examination and in Moot court,
makes the ready debater, and the pol
ished lawyer. How can this be gained
in a private office? The element is
almost entirely lacking. Aside from
the competition with other students
there is the advise, example, sugges-
ton and instruction from able profess
sors, and competent practicing attor-
neys. There are other superior facili-
ties afforded by the modern law school,
but there already named are sufficient
to show that it has advantages over
the Office system from the standpoint
of the practical lawyer.
What is the place of the college of
law from the standpoint of the thor
ough scholar. If the object of educa-
ton is to make man think properly,
act rightly and grow rapidly, then the
mission of the law school is extremely
important. There is no branch of
study that fulfills these functions
more perfectly and with greater prac-
teal benefit than does study of the
law. Anything that calls out mans
reasoning powers teaches him to
think. Law is ninety-nine per cent
common sense and one per cent nom
sense. 1t is almost entirely made up
of good reason. To follow that reason
and apply it to different cases and sit
uations, calls forth mans ability to
think. Therein lies the secret OF the
powerful minds of great lawyers.
Again. study of law means train
ing to act rightly. Let any person
who is not trained in that line of work
try to make brief, complaint, or an
answer. These must be absolutely cor
rect even to the minutest details. A
Slight slip may mean total failure. IT
requires the closest attention to cor
rect reasoning, and the proper mode Of
action after the logical deduction is
gained. Who is more cautious, con-
sentative and correct than the thor
oughly trained lawyer. A course in
law also conduces to rapid growth
OF the mind. The first thing young
law student learns is how much lie
doesn't know. 1t is valuable lesson.
The field is so broad and the harvest
so heavy he is almost COMPOUNDED. Bit
this is the first practical lesson; it is
the first incentive to a great task. He
relies largely upon himself and almost
Immediately his mind begins to grow
and broaden. He reads the opinions of
great men; he sees reasons that here
tofore We're mystical, brought out in
bold relief; he sees conditions as they
are not, and as they should be. The
outcome of it all is that his mind
broadens and grows most rapidly.
The place of the college of law from
the standpoint of the trained business
man may be briefly stated to be in the
concentration of mind, the knowledge
OF strict business principles, and an
attention to details. Each of these are