The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1909-01-29
Says President Stetson of the
Actiyities Of Most Of the
Lawyers of Country.
BUT IS ROOT OF EVIL
And Ethics of the Profession
Should Ever Contain Hon
esty of Purpose.


ethics Of the legal progesslp3 were
sharply and clearly defined 81 Fran
els Lynde stetson, Of New York,
president Of the New York state Bar
Association, in an address on "The
LAWYERS Livelihood, before meet
Ing Of the bar association here. DUR
ing the course OF his speech, Mr.
stetston spoke of the popular resent
rment against certain corporations
ard said that undoubtedly there wiz
be further experiments in Iegisla-
tion, both state aud federal, to the
continued repression Of business en-
terprlse. Mr.. stetson said:
What is the object. of onr actiyl-
ties in the practice of law? For the
overwhelming majority of lawyers.
there is. and there can be, but one
answer, 'to gain living. Notwith-
standing our splendid opportunities
OF public service often to be avaiIed
OF and never to be dlsregarded, the
duty OF most is to support
ones family and to keep out of har-
rowing debt.
But the lawyer who chooses or
who pursues his profession primarily.
or even principally. as a money-get-
ter, falls into two-Eold error. First.
he selects for his purpose an inferior
instrument, for, as already observ-
ed, in money-making, as in the OPP
portunties for money-making. the
lawyer lags behind the. trader OF
equal ability, and. second, he com
promises his own tone, and cores
poDdingiy the standing of his profess
sion, which win be privileged so long,
and only so long, as It preserves ii,
distinction as a leayaea professor.
The lawyer outclassed by the mer-
chant In the competition for great
riches will win only patronizing con-
descension: But, II he shall retain
and maintain his traditional familiar
ityt with the science OF the law, enter.
ing into and shaping the affairs on
even the most. resourceful laymen.
he will command and will receive
from the public as well as from his
fellows. respectful consideration and
esteem.
ITO the mere money-seeking law
yer indeed the love of money win
prove the root of all evil.
The lawyer Is bound always to
advise conformity to the clear re-
quirements of every valid law. AS
a breach of this duty might involve
considerable personal Inconvenience.
We may assume that 1t Is observed by
chose who are conscious OF its exis-
tence. How painful may become the
performance Of this duty none know
better than some OF US who at times
have been compelled to insist thar at
the cost of social approbrium Tho
client must tell the whole truth. or at
other times have been compelled to
decline to interpose a defense desir-
ed by some tender hearted but errlng
and distressed man or woman.
Whether or not a lawyer shall
give advice as to any particular trans
action not within the express probi-
bition of law, or OF morals, as already
intimated. it is a question Of his own
judgment. But his judgment must
be exercised with a full sense OF his
responsibility as a man and a cit!-
zen. and with the certain expectation
Of public disapproval if his partici.
patton shall appear to be out Of h,
mony with his genereI reputation or
shall seem to involve injury to the
public interests"
Mr.. Stetson, referring 10 a state
ment OF Former Senator Lindsay. OF
Kentucky. that great corporations
are proving themselves the greatest
instruments for evil man has e,
devised, said:
Judge Lindsay is entitled to high
respect. but l would venture to auesS
ton whether in and of itself the cor
porate form OF organization L he
specific garm OF the ills depicted or
predicted hy him. The dislike and
popular resentment Of that ex.rac--
dinarily successful business known -
/, the Standard Oil Trust evenuated
prior to the incorporation of the
holders Of the trust certificates: the
phenomenal development of the
great Carnegie steel business was
Through a partnership whose forty
four members preceded and formed
the corporation of 1893: the g-eat-
est financial transactions are cor.
Y