New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-26
BENCH AND BAR NEEDS
LONGER APPRENTICESHIP
LaTyers' Association CTticises Pres
ent Conditions and Practices.

The committee IN admissions OF the New York
County Lawyers Association. in report MADE
public yesterday. recommends that the term OF
training for students at law be heightened from
three 10 FIVE years IT suggests, too that lawyers
from other states applying for admission 10 the
bar here be required 10 conform 10 all the rules
recommended for the admission Of beginners An
exception is made in OF distinguished prac-
titioners" The Court OF Appeals will be requested
10 make changes in the present rules
The report asserts that one Of the worst features
OF existing conditions is the deterioration Of the
judiciary" saying:
ine Of moral and intellectual status Of the bar:
the judiciary have suffered II viii be o2ncedea
general proposition that lawyers do not reach
the BENCH nv assduous study. high legal accom-
gsnlzations have much more TO do with their
advancement than personal merit. The spectacle
of the elevation a iudgeship ~ lawyer who
IS known and appreciated by the bar is rare one.
IL the names Of most OF the candidates for lu-
they would be Overwhelmingly repudiated
OF course, a real diamond Is sometimes dscov-
erred by chance and undoubtedly some 81 those
chosen by political organizations bring TO the
inslIy deficient become go9d judicial officers But
lawyers OF New York CITY to-day freely talk of
the Judges. They specify names. They say 10 one
another Keep away from that COURT; ''avoid that
Judge =" meaning beware OF their sothfulness. ig-
norance or immatur1tv and comments are in
which indicate with clearness the opinions enter
tanned OF the personnel Of that important body.
The committee says that much Of the evil might
he eradicated by raising the standard Of educs-
ton. It urges effort 10 take the nomination
OF jndees away from political organizations The
committee doubts whether this be DONE but
Saws the time is propitious for trial.
A preliminary and special curriculum are Of
sered in the report likely 10 give the necessary
education for admission TO the bar. AS recon-
rnendstions for rules the committee offers the
following:
First-That any applicant for admission to the
bar shall he able TO understand and speak fuently
second--Thet the period Of cierkshiP Or Of tech
.o and 5oo on sn years shall actually he speht
zservng regular clerlship in the Office Of prac
state the clerlship to follow the course in a law
school or rs eoHS,ent in RrsTori6ea study ,
oral and written examination by the Board Of Ex-
Fourth-That lawyers Of other states applying
- he admitted In this state shall conform 10 the
cases OF distinguished practitioners
What the committee believes to he shortcomings
IN the present rules for admission 10 the bar
mentioned. follows:
The average student when he applies for admis
sion has s;s no .ss very inadequate knowledge OF
The student Is nor instructed in the real nature
The educational tests, preliminary ana general.
Students sre uninstructed in their outside. IN
professional relation 10 the community.
The committee says that the tendency Of The
present day lawyer Is look and think Of moth
ing but his clients interests and that the question
as how far his professional conduct affects the
administration Of justice is almost lost sight Of
The report says Of this lawyer:
Perhaps he understands vaguely that he is an
'ofiicer Of the court" but that conveys to his
mind only tho idea that the courts may. therefore.
But he is not taught that in general he is an
officer Of the court 10 advise the court. in many
instances assist II. that In truth he IS a real
official friend ~ the court. that the court has al
vays the light - call upon him N aid in the ad
Tie fact that attention is paid these fun
has Eraduai,y tended 70 divorce The LAWYERS from
me s noa eag other a. ann lspgth
and regard is Practtioners as constantly endeav-
judgments and DEGREES 10 which they are not en-
,itled' 10 regard them as purely mercenary> riti-
cess And unfortunately there is ground for this
suspicion and belief.
Or tine criminal law practice the report Saws:
IN the administration II criminal Law conditions
ere perhans worse than on the civil side The
spirit of criminal jurisprudence be wholly
toally dsregarded. It's study IS moi enconrag ed
by the law schools and its practice almost frowned
s,lh is that both the bench and the bar are in
,Ss, s g =, With the principles Of Grim
anphea6e 10 n Yet Il may he confidently
and Exercise IN" Srt 81 criminal n5 d lsT
qualities Of lawyer. advocate ana citizen
commercialsm receives a paragraph ~ crlti
rism and tho report closes. as follows:
IL inauguration of reform here would have a
inosf salutary ard beneficial influence through the
iand and N p Few its effect would he |er+
everywhere The lawyers would regain their sps e.,
enc ~ social and political life An sristorracy
81 lnielect end culture would again be enthToned
INC par wou'd would u not create healthy public
opinion, and wherever demaeogism aDnes red In
our institutions. or public thought ii voul5 he
exercised and driven from them, and new eo,,sI
and healthy inspirations Of political and profes
siolial advancement prevail iNS
The report IS signed by John r. Dos Passos.
chairman Henry ID. Hotchkiss Eliot Norton ca
isle Norwood. David Thornton John Mason Knox
Chase Mellen, Seth Sprague Terry g B. TYLER
frank j. l"pisnac. Charles W Ridgway, Morris
cukor Edwin kalish. : X. Ii-htenstein Rober,
T. Luce, Cortlandt NiccIl and F. A. sumner