The Virginia enterprise., 1908-08-14
CRATCH a lawyer and you will
find politician. 1t did not need

~ CRATCH a lawyer and you will
find politician. 1t did not need
~ an acquaintance with practical
politics to know that the mem
bers of my profession were active
participants in the game. But as
time went on i was surprised to
find the vast and far-reaching influ-
ence that they welded. If a 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 valuable asset To be "slick,"
Smooth" 20 be hailed as "schemer"
by this contingent is to have its most
profound homage. In such labyrinths
Of the political cayacombs their idea
Of lawyer IS nun who can make
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-fedged at
torneys, in their endeavor to get ad-
mitted tC practice and have the right
to hang out IL shingle." If they are
of foreign nationality they readily ac-
quire 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
tices 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 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 we're almost entirely
innocent Of any legal knowledge. The
rrlo In SHelley's case" was no differ
ent to them from the rule in any fel-
lows caso. No reason why Shelley"
should have ANY the best of IT,"
But weren't they "hustlers!" A lot
Of them we're ''studying law" a few of
them were admitted by favor Of GER
tificate from one of the legal mills" "
otherwia, known as law colleges, and
some others were practicing before
the justices on the "catch-as-catch-can
plan Of professional ethics, and de-
pending on what is popularity known
as pull" or drag" to get their clients
of. Each Justice knew about how
much Influence a petitioner for anyone
had who appeared before him. If it
was lawyer who was also All alder
mar (Guite e. frequent occurrence),
the course O: Justice was extremely
apt to be tempered with mercy" to say
the least. Fines were suspended" on
future good behaviour, men let go on
their personal recognizance," fines
were Tade as low us the law allowed,
and other favors, bestowed on many
OF these legal lights. An alderman
who was a lawyer was expected to put
in his time for nothing, depending on
future politica; favors for his reward.
There was very little money in It for
him.
The candidates for the legislature
were occasionally numerous as legal
aspirInts 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 rs they make them, "singed
CATS not SO much for looks, but
craft'er than "all get-out" So the
stepping g-stOne par excellence for law
making preference was to be a men,
ber Of the bar. When they reached
the legislature they either got in with
the "grafters," # 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.
There was never glut of lust legis-
lation' that ] can remember. And
yet, like Brutus, Cassius, ct AL, they
were all, all, honorable men. don't
suppose that penny of money was
ever spent for Improper legislation in
the state legislature. l don't suppose
that :aws were passed by undue in.
fluence OF corporations or individuals
| dent suppose that there was lobby
at che staZe capital. l don't suppose
that there were cliques and rings in
the legislature, which worked to.
gether, regardless of politics, to run
legislation for what there was in
it," But what can an honest minori
" do?
AS for reformers, the legislature
had them for breakfast" when they
had the hardihood to kick against the
bricks.
In the city, the lawyers had of ne
cessity the choice of all judicial of
fees. Chief among these were the
judgeships. and once a lawyer was
elected judge he could usually retair
the position for another term, Otter
for several terms. But he would no.
play politics" until along about time
for an election to take place. II
rather amused, and sometimes dis
gasted, me to see the patent hypocris,
OF these members Of the judiciary. Be
fore getting the chance to run the,
cast dignity to the winds and were ou1
after the nomination as hot as Her
cules. They would get young fellows
to chase around helping them drum u1
support in the bar primary "a sor1