New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-21
JUDGE CRITICISES BAR
PTBLIC SPIRIT LACKING.
Justice McLennan Says Lacyers
Fail in Public Office.

Juatice Peter B. McLennan, of Syracuse pre-
siding Justice Of the Appellate Division OF me SUI
preme Court speaking last night as one OF lle
guests Of the Alumni Association or the New AoiN
T-niversitv Law school, its twenty-tniro annual
dinner at the Hotel Aston. took lawyers seVei.Iy
10 task He declared with emphasis tnae 'Lies lo
often forgot their ethical relations lo"Al 80
vrbonn they represent when they go 10 the OOls SS
of the nation or state or eve" the
men. . a.. =. .oo,,,s "a
me we have arrived at a critical PerIou. 70 M -
which II Is necessary for the legal PROGRESSION 70
conserve the high ideals which 'hey nave ~
taught -, ...ha+
..You understand. or ought to-. he went on ,iial
the lawyers are the great conservative force Oh inns
country. They are. or are supposed TO De- men
trained TO know not only what is Tor the DeS' M
terests Of their client but what is for the pest
interest Of the commonwealth. There has never
been higher standing OF ethics. so far as the re-
lations with the client goes. except ho"e.7.'
the ambulance chaser, who ought not 10 DO 'oi
Grated A contract made by lawyer TOT " per
centage Of a negligence Judgment ought 10 ne No'u
l,v law. The difficulty. however. is that the law
Yer forgets when he enters other business OF
citizenship that he is still a lawyer
Justice McL4ennan said that when lawyer as
a United States Senator Congressman mehloer oI
the state Legislature or a city board Of aldermen
worked for himself and his friends he forgot the
duty he had of furthering the interests OF those
he was elected represent.
Referring TO what he termed a critical PERIOD
Justice McLennan spoke Of the struggle between
labor and capital, the increasing power OF cor
porations. the growth of private fortunes so as
10 build up classes. and the decrease IN respect
for law and authority.
corporate power in the last quarter OF cen
fury he saId has has grown so arrogant as al
most 10 control the destinies OF the nation 1t has
grown so strong almost 10 say II VIII prook no
restraint"
Respect for law and authority lie said. was hard
" known or considered now. IF these things be
true" he added I'VE have indeed reached
critical period What is the remedy? My sug-
eestion is that lawyers formulate and reason
able legislation and see that it be enforced"
One trouble said the speaker, is that many OF the
abuses had grown up Through the acquiescence OF
the people. II was unjust. he declared that there
should be remedial legislation to punish one side
and not the other. Shippers had demanded railroad
rebates small holders OF Standard Oil stock were
not looked on with scorn. and 1t was not consid-
cred wicked TO connive at the breaking Of the Ex-
else law by buying drinks in forbidden hours
Justice AfcClennan said he did not believe in go
ing TO extremes nor in the wholesale destruction
OF vested rights. but IN creating sentiment that
would inspire confidence in law.
Justice Edward Patterson said there was a wo-
ftL deficiency as 10 how TO try cases on the part
Of the lawyers Of the present generation. He Gre
ated a laugh by slip Of the tongue, saying: What
we need is a better grade OF and standard for
trial judges a." When the laughter subsided ne
said he would let the statement stand. although
he meant trial lawyers"
X recent exhibition made in courts" he
added. IS enough ito satisfy that point"
There was hearty laughter at the expense OF Dis
trict Attorney Jerome. who sitting near by
and TO whom the remark was taken 10 refer by
many.
Justice Walter Lloyd Smith said the Court OF
Appeals should be relieved OF much unnecessary
work. Professor Clarence D. Ashley. dean Of the
school, said the bench could not keep OF its
best 1urists because OF the small salaries paid.
Those IN whose honor the dinner given. 81
addition 10 Justice McIennan. Judge Wal
lace, the United States Circuit Court OF Appeals
Edward Patterson. Michael II. Hirschberg and
Walter LLOYD Smith. presiding justices OF the FIRST
second and third divisions OF the Appellate Di-
vision respectively
Among the thirty more Justices and judges
present Justices NJ Linn Bruce. John A.
Blanchard. Frederick z. Crane. John p Clarke
John ". Goff. Peter 4. Hendrick. David 3. Leveu-
tritt, T. &. Laughln. s. 7. Maddox {. B. Nc
Laughln. J. H. O'Gorman. Edward F. ODwyer
NJ. W. Platzek and John Woodward, OF the Sli-
preme Court. Among others present ex-At-
tOrney General John J. Cunneen. Judge +. b. Dele
hanty, City Magistrate J. Il. Mayo Judges Samuel
Seabury and Otto Rosals1y. District Attorney Je-
rome. John p. Mcdonald and Jay Noble Finley.