The Springfield herald., 1908-08-14

politics to know that the men,
bers of my profession were active
participants in the game. But as
find the vast and far-reaching influ-
ence that they welded. If man
really sets out to make politics
his profession, he would better first
study law and get admitted to the bar.
The average popular impression of a
lawyer in the Submerged tenth at
mosphere of political surroundings. is
that he is "a confidence man." But
in that environment this is considered
as a valuable asset. To be slick, I"
Smooth" to be hailed as "schemer"
by this contingent is to have its most
profound homage. In such labyrinths
of the political catacombs their idea
OF lawyer is a man who can make a
good talk and twist the law" any way
to suit the necessities of the occasion.
But he is always a man to be looked
up to and consulted with.
The result of this outlook on the
legal profession is to send various
young fellows to the law colleges. and
to the private offices of full-fiedgcd at
torneys, in their endeavor to get ad-
mitted to practice and have the right
to hang out shingle." If they are
of foreign nationality they readily ac-
quire a knowledge of the English Ian
guage, and can, of course. speak their
own native tongue. In this way they
used to pick up little practice hang
ing around the courtrooms of the JUS
tees of the peace. particularly the po-
lice magistrates. In those days they
did not even need license to practice
before justice. And all the time they
were mixing in the primary fights, get
ting on the delegate tickets, running
for the legislature a little later on. and
even making bold "stabs' at getting
the nomination for state senators. /
ran across them in every direction.
and most of them were almost entirely
innocent of any legal knowledge. THE
rule In Shelley's case" was no differ
ent to them from the rule in any fel-
lows case. No reason why Shelley"
should have any the best of it,"
But weren't they "hustlers!" A lot
of them were studying law" few of
them were admitted by favor of a GER
tificate from one of the legal mills"
otherwise known as law colleges, and
some others were practicing before
the justices on the "catch-as-catch-ca can
plan OF professional ethics, and de-
pen6ing on what is popularity known
as Fyull' or drag" to get their clients
of. Each justice knew about how
much influence n petitioner for anyone
had who appeared before him. If it
was a lawyer who was also an alder
man tqute a frequent occurrence), i,
the course of justice was extremely
apt tu be tempered with mercy to say
the least. Fines were suspended" on
future good behaviour, men let go on
their personal recognizance," fines
were made as low as the law allowed
and other favors bestowed on many
of these legal lights. An alderman
who was q lawyer was expected to put
in his time for nothing, depending on
future political favors for his reward.
There was very little money in it for
him.
The candidates for the legislature
were occasionally numerous as legal
aspirants Each one of them knew
that when he got down to Spring
field he would bump up against all
sorts of legal talent; country lawyers
as shrewd as they make them, "singed
cats" not so much for looks, but
craftier than "all getout." So the
stepping-stone par excellence for law
making preference was to be men,
Der of the bar. When they reached
the legislature they either got in with
the "grafters,' if there happened to
be srafters in that session of the as
sembly, or stayed on the outside and
put in their efforts for just legislation.
In the city, the lawyers had of ne
cessity the choice of all judicial Of
fees. Chief among these We're the
judgeshps. and once a lawyer was
elected judge he could usually retain
the position for another term. often
for several terms. But he would not
play politics" until along about time
for an election to take place. 1t
rather amused, and sometimes dis
gusted, me to see the patent hypocrisy
of these members of the judiciary. Be-
fore getting the chance to run they
cast dignity to the winds and were out
after the nomination as hot as Her
cules. They would get young fellows
to chase around helping them drum up
support in the bar primary Ia sort
of kissing goes by favor expression
of the Bar association'O. and they
were not at all too proud to shake
hands with perspiring ward workers
and bosses and even laugh at stale
pleasantries about the outlook But
oh What difference in the morn
ing"-the morning after election, 1
mean-if they happened to get elected.
After the first flush of joy in victory
had passed away, how the dignity of
their position would envelop them and
enfold them and swathe them with
successive layers of self-esteem until
they could swell up and out no longer.
l,di,'o Drodnrfion of Oil.