Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-01-07
ass. saAxron.s RETAINER.

MT. A. e. br2Xton was Cne aulho'
OF the elaborate chapter in the Vtr
xinia Constitution for the regulation
Of Corporations. He has just accept
ed the position Of General Counsel
for the Richmond. Fredericksburg 4
Potomac Company. There Is no neces'
yary inconsistency or back sliding
in this. Why not assume until the
contrary Is proved that Mr.. Braxton
L. loyal to the convictions he Illus
tratet by his work in the Convention
tina. he will utilize his peculiar un'
Outstanding OF the Corporation laws
by steering his client clear OF in!rac-
J ton @. them and SO. In our judgment.
| render the best possible service both
/ to the public and the railroad? This
| supposition IS much nearer in accord
with the distinguished gentleman
! reputed character ana established re-
| cord than that which pcstulates a
! course less commendab,e. SO at least
II seems TO us. Norfolk Nirginian-
Pilot.
The Virginian-Pilot sizes uD the ST.
uation Justly and fairly. albeit
trifie optimistically.
Nothing in Mr.. Braxton's poll
cal or professional past augurs Ill fcr
the people Of Virginia b. reoson OF
his acceptance Of the general counsel
chip for the Richmond. Fredericks'
burg 4 Potomac Company. Perhaps
there Is no one who would not pre-
fer a man OF Mr.. Braxton's fame and
proved integrity in the position rath'
er than some other lawyer OF ability
rs to whose rectituje there might be
some doubt.
The most interesting feature OF this
move on the part OF Mr.. Braxion.
this newspaper believes. lies in the
fact that II indicates that that gentle
man has decided to rclincuish any
ambition he nigh, heretofore have
cherished for high political prefer
meut in the State. The incident might
net have been SO construed a decade
or two ago. Blu. times have changed.
Corporation policies. too. may have
changed to degree justifying the
assumption by the Virginian-Pilot
that Mr.. Rraxton's great legal talents
were sought By the railroad company
with a view t. steering his client !!
clear Of infraction OF them Uhe Vir' I,
ginia corporation laws) and so, III our
Judgment, render the best possible
service beth to the public and the |
railroad
However, IL this be the railroad !
company's actuating motive fc- secur- |,
ing Mr.. Braxton's services. the cir !,
cumstance marks a radical departure
from methods which have become tho
gene raj rule with large corporations. i
The impression, IS generally held
that very learned legal advice Is sell |
dom necessary to enable corporations !
TO keep within the intents and pur-
poses OF the laws Of the land.
In past years the mastery Of pro
fessional subtlety and craft-the abih- (
ty to discover loopholes in the laws
and TO aid their clients to evade the |.
provisions without technically incur ,
ring the penalities-th!s SCI. OF equip |
ment, IS q rule. has attracted TIE
heads OF great corporations waen in
quest Of chief couIpe,ors
II the Richmond. Fredericksburg
AMI Potomac, which We understand
is dominated by the Pennsylvania sya- :
TEN. does not subscribe TO this policy
of evasion. then the State Of Virgins
ard its people are to be congratulate i
ell.
But the departure. should it be
adopted Throughout: The country bodies
i'll for such accomplished members OF
the legal profession As Messrs, Eiihu
Root. Chauncey M. Depew, Joseph D,
Foraker and others of their ilk.