Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-21

not dangerous. SO it must require OF those
who hold themselves out to render serv-
ices in connection with the administration
of the law that they shall be fifty trained
for such service. These requirements
should be so made as to eliminate the
two great defects already specified, low
moral tone and inadequate knowledge or
the science of the law. The first may be
done away with by limiting the member
shin of the legal profession to literally
educated men--to those who have won
that culture that comes from the study
of the humanities, history and general
literature, for at least two years In a COL
leGiate institution.
candidates for admission to the bar. as Is
practically the case in England. the pup
lie would be assured OF the neeoeu Tais-
ing of the average moral tone among
those admitted to serve as priests In tne
temple of justice. Nor would such pre-
liminary requirement operate as an IN
Justice, or real hardship, to that person
upon whom orators at bar association
meetings SO fondly cast their eloquent
eyes, the poor young man, always pos
sible Marshall or Lincoln. who lacking a
wealthy father, or other good fortune.
has been unable to obtain college edu-
cation. The Lincoln of our day would
easily win his college education. and rem
der richer fuller service to the public
because of it; and so would every young
man whose fiber was such as to qualify
him for valuable service in the highly
competitive profession of the law.
And for the public there would GER
tainly be no loss. for if any one economic
fact is settled beyond dispute it Is that
the country needs not more, but better
lawyers.
Thorough and Scientific Instruction.
"once admitted to pupilage for the bar.
society should see to it that the instruc-
- %l1 lov ic II,
and scientific. The only key to the per-
picking mass lies in a thorough knowl-
edge of the historical lines along which
have developed the great fundamental
doctrines of our law and the mastery of
the subtle processes of reasoning, by
which the courts have progressively de-
termined the application Of these great
principles to the constantly changing So
cial and commercial conditions of success
sive generations. Therefore. the law stu
dent must study the historical develop
ment of the law and receive careful train
ing in the reasoning of the courts.
But such legal training is very dit
ferent thing from coaching up brlght
young man to pass some particular par
examination, and requires much time anu
great labor. 1t requires much reaolns
and much more thought. and still more
time for digestion and assimilation IL Is
process which is psycholog1cally not
capable of being hurried. In our pest
law schools. Wn1cn thO 49,
cilities for instruction and most skillful
teachers. it is considered that three years
Of uninterrupted studies must be required
Of the student in order to enable him to
secure training of this character and eX-
tent. And this judgment has been APP
nroyed i'm the generally prevailing rule
that requires three years of legal study as
a prerequisite to admission to the bar.
Conditions. in the District.
I'm some of the more progressive
states some more or less effective legisla-
ton looking to these ends has been en-
acted but how does the matter stand
in the District OF Columbia? The candi-
date for admission to the learned profess
sion of the law need have had no prelimi-
nary education whatever. and while he
is required to have studied law three
years or three sessions. the rule does not
specify how much time or attention he