The San Francisco call., 1909-04-06
A PAGE OF REPRESENTATIVE PROFESSIONAL MEN
JUSTLY PROUD OF
ITS LEGAL TALENT
Lawyers of San Francisco Rank
High Among COuntry's
Professional Men

f" He bench and bar Of San Fran
cisco have been famous from the
i earliest days of the pioneers for
Characteristic ability. To be a good
lawyer is to embrace in the scope OF
education some knowledge Of prae-
iicauy ali lines of affairs, Of business
Of the vast literature of law in so far
as it is applicable to modern eondi-
tions. or as establishing and laying
down general principles relating TO
pleadings and practice. and also i'm
plying keen insight into and definite
information concerning many indus
trial commercial and ciTic problems
that are characteristic Of business as
ID is now transacted. and of problems
that are particularly local or pertain
ing to states in which practice is car
ried on in court.
Local peouliarities and differences OF
location make it necessary that the
wen read lawyer should have more
than p surface knowledge of many
things that is not required in other
Dlaces. In a section where invention
is particularly active the barrister IS
compelled 10 acquire more or less
knowledge concerning patents and the
rulings OF federal departments IN re-
lation to them and general ability 10
discern the value and possible appiica-
tion of mechanical appliances and TO
see the strong and weak points in suits
involving infringements and the as
coveries Of new ideas
In a seaport like san Francisco ques-
tions Of admiralty practice arise very
commonly. especially in the federal
courts and the application of kno"l-
edge Of seamanship. the art Of naviga-
tion. the slowing and handling Of car
goes. and the relation thereof to pos
sibIe lnishaps and insurance, and OF
the geography Of the world and the
6nties of seamen and their responsi-
buities. together with information con
,erning harbors. lighthouses and other
facts belonging 10 the domain OF the
sea. must be included in greater extent
fin the educational outfit of the san
Francisco attorney.
LAND LITIGATION
All sorts OF local questions have
arisen ia California ana still appear in
litigation. out Of the lack Of complete
SURVEYS Of the public lands. and the de-
sire or rich men 10 suddenly grow
richer bv acquisition Of great areas OF
the virgin forests. coupled WIN CUES
rfons concerning school lands. desert
4 nor
acteristic questions are brought 10 tile
ronsfderatfon o. the courts nearly every
month in the year ID san Francisco.
,1articularly. another class OF cases Tor
wears taxes local legal acumen-these
relating particularly 10 the entangle-
nonts involved fin so-called Mexican
titles 10 the lands IN the CITY ana III
the surrounding country
Added 10 these are questions that
arise in connection with the eqnlties IN
The mattkr Of packing and marketing
of fruits salmon and other nsA- olS-
eliminating transportation rates ana
rbar which relates TO marketing and
commissions Two states IL the Union
are particularly noted for the amounts
of gold and other precious metals
which they annually produce Litiga-
tfon concerning mining ownershlps, the
application of the apex Law ana otner
ufoblems peculiar TO mines and min
san Francisco to further enlarge the
boundaries of their reading and the
concentration Of their attention on
nrobIems which are not found imDors
ant in many localities.
. 4 DISTINGUISHED PROFESSION
Representatives Of the bar and bench
OF san Francisco have often been DIS
tinguished ia both houses OF the ma
ffomal congress Of the United states.
= cser-
Guence on public affairs and have
raised eloquent voices. Both the bench
and bar Of this city have been highly
honored bv appointments % the SUI
rrerne tribunal Of the United States
and bv participation In the cabinet
councils Of presidents The history OF
f.,e transactions Of the congressional
..--avs and means committee includes the
names Of q number Of eminent California
LAWYERS. The voices OF these attorneys
have been potential in leading national
conventions OF the two great political
parties
vers have engaged the attention Of
oolrts of last resort in Europe. and
their skill has been employed in the
adjustment Of large commercial cues
ffons relating 10 insurance and other
topics OF importance. In diplomatic
and consular positions they have made
their influence Ifil IN AtS o4ltHt anu III
Farope: their advice has been asked
concerning the management Of great
fduciarv and industrial interests They
have been known as gallant soldiers.
as leaders Of men. as able interpreters
Of hne points Of constitutional law and.
not less conspicuously, as governors OF
- California and OF other states.
PROMINENT IN CIvICs
IN the romantic annals OF the bench
and bar Of san Francisco the fun meas
ure of human interest. developed in its
Intensity, has characterized the doings
Of judges and attorneys alike The
lawyers OF this city have been strongly
identified with legal civic life and with
public policies. They took part IN the
first constitutional convention in this
state. by which the legal provisions
relating to statehood were framed
along wise and safe lines.
The names Of Baker. Of Justice Ste
phen J. Field and Of many others in the
early days We're fit to adOrn the pages
Of national history for they wrought
in a time when ability and manhood
-.-e.-. r1,,-f7 7e-nF afora- sufficient 10 con