Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-08-24
ETHICS FOR
LAWYERS
CONVENTION OF NATIONAL BAR
Observation-Disclosures OATH
OF ADMISSION TO THE BAR.

seattle. Wash, Aug. s4.-I.spa,
iishts OF the land are today CON
gresating in Seattle for the ANNA,
convention OF the National Bar As.
soc'ation, which begins tomorrow.
some OF the most ,iist.nguisbcJ
lawyers of the country are already
mere and every train brings addI.
tional delegates, who are given =
cordial reception by the attorneys
oi seattle and Washington. Dcsnita
the distance of Seattle from the cen
ter OF population, it is likely that
the attendance will be quite nm 70
the usual standard.
many important legal questions
VIII come mp for discussion durip.
the week. 1t is likely that .mdye
iatts recent speech before tho VIZ
Vinia Bar Association will be con-
sidered' as II has admittedly croot-
ed profound effect upon the law
yers OF the country
one or the most Important font
ures OF the convention will he tho
presentation OF the final report OF
inc committee on rules OF Conduct
Tor lawyers. which will include q,
complete code OF ethics to govern
the legal profession in its DEALINGS
with clients and its duties TO fine
public.
me proposed canon OF profession
al ethics maintains that n Iowyor
may DEFEND client whom he knows
TO be guilty only to the extent or
being sure that the defendant is no.
corded all of his rights under tbo
law. Advertising is prohibited ,,1
the ihstigation or stirring up of 1T
igation is roun1ly denounced
one OF the most striking clauees
OF the canon declares that when n
lawyer renders service to anv ellen,
corporate or individual or To any
cause, civil or political. that Involves
disioyalty to the law, he merits
stern condemnation"
The report is signed by Alton
Is. Parker. former chief nudge Of
the New York state court OF an
pcais; Justice Brewer. of the su-
preme court OF the United Statee.
JUICE Thomas G.. Jones, OF the Unit
ca States court in Alabama: J. NJ
DICKINSON, president of the Amer
lean Bar Association: George n
Peck and William Writ Howe. for
mer presidents OF the association.
and Francis Lynde Stetson. presi-
dent of the New York Bar AssocIa-
ton.
The report is a result OF a three
uay session OF the committee held
In Washington.
In twenty-seven states Of the I'M
ION there are codes of ethics moro
or less completed which exist as y
result either of coiiHcation by stat
utory enactments of some of the
duties OF lawyers or of the action
or bar associations therein i'm adopt-
ing canons Of professional ethics.
For some years past members of
bar associations have advocated
movement which would eliminate
IN an authoritatively declared stand
ard OF professional conduct which
VIII not only serve as a guile to the
youthful practitioner, but will place
the profession before the public in
It's true light, and thereby free IL
from public criticism and censur.
which have at times been bestowed
upon II as a result OF the miscon-
duct oS unworthy men who have
found their way into its ranks.
THE foundation OF the draft for
canons OF ethics is the code adopt
ed by the Alabama State Bar Asso-
citation in 1887. This draft repre-
sents our best present judgmcn aft
er a most careful consideration of
the subject" says the committee In
its report.
Finishing its report the commit
tee cOmmends for adoption the fol-
lowing oath OF admission to the bar
as containing clearly the general
principles which should ever con-
troll the lawyer in the practice OF
his profession:
do solemnly swear.
will support the constitution OF
the United states and the state OF
.
/ will maintain the respect due
to courts OF justice and judicial Of
hcers.
I will counsel and maintain only
such actions. proceedings and de-
lenses as appear TO me legally de-
batable and just, except the defense
OF person charged with a public
offense.
7 will employ for the purpose Of
maintaining the causes conf led In
me such means only as are consist
ent with truth and honor, and will
never seek to mislead the jury or