New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-02

Probate Court of Chicago, where she gave
great satisfaction.
FIR twelve years in the Law School OF
Leland Stanford University | saw quite
large number Of women students thlhk'
as a whole they maintained higher aver
age OF scholarship than the young men,
but only a few completed the course, for
they aid not have the physical strength TO
continue TO the end
From time TO time at the University of
Chicago l have seen young women students.
They were universally successful. and am
Informed that a woman led the first class
which graduated from the Chicago Law
School She is now q highly respected
member OF the faculty OF economics in that
institution"
rs ii desirable that women should study
law?" asked the reporter.
For professional purposes. no.. answered
Professor Abbott. "Of course, most young
women do take up the study OF law for this
reason. although some are beiligerent and
expect to use their knowledge as weapon
OF reform. Personally I think that de-
cided mistake. 1t is hard enough for
man TO make a living by the practice of
the law. and women labor under two dis
advantages. They do not have the strength
that is required, and men do not care to
consult them. while women do not usually
have confidence in them. So far as / have
observed. in the so-called strict practice
Of the law they cannot be said to be sue
cessful. l have known a large number of
women lawyers. l do not know one who
has made living as practising lawyer"
This conclusion, by the way rs not borne
out by the testimony Of women lawyers.
Some said, when Intercepted upon the
subject. that they made considerably more
than living and were doing better than
the average man lawyer.
There the many uses. however to which
legal training may be put other than that
Of earning a living. and Professor Abbott
went on 10 enumerare some that particu-
larly concern women.
The status Of woman" he said, lis
liable to change. and perhaps the greatest
change will be in the modification of the
marriage state. Probably the political
status will be made TO conform practically
with that of men. and perhaps women will
have hand in law-making. They ought
to have the best possible equipment. To
have that they should have free access to
the best possible schools. Half legal
education, or a poor legal education, for a
woman charged with political duties is
mistake. She should have the best, which
is none too good"
Again, there are courses in most OF our
young womens colleges which deal directly
with constitutional law and constitutional
history, and a considerable number OF othei
courses, such as those dealing with econom-
les, transportation, sociology and history
which for the best teaching require con-
siderable knowledge Of substantive ana
especially Of statute law. A good teacher
OF history must have a fair knowledge OF
statute law and an ability to deal with
legal material, which can be best acquired,
/; not acquired alone, In a law school III
my Judgment law school which refuses TO
give young women who propose to teach
the best possible equipment is violating
public trust, and for that reason alone
think our law schools should be open to
women.
Again | do not know of any topic that
is more broadening and enlightening than
the study of law. nor one which TENDS 10
make a person more sympathetic in his
Judgment of others. I am inclined TO think
that in an educational way the study Of
wholesome.
In conclusion l feel justified in saying
that women. as rule, are exceiient Id"
students, and that as regards the much
discussed question of their influence IN the
classroom it is neither positive or negative.
That is a matter Of the individual and not
of sex"
Professor Ralph w Clifford. pro-dean and
professor In the FOrdham University La"
School. who was present during the inter
view with Professor Abbott. did not sym
pathize with many of the views expresseu'
He. too, has had considerable experience
i'm the education of women, having been Ior
four years connected with girls private
schools and for two Of these years was
principal of a girls seminary and MS Cd
seryations have led him TO the conclusion
that after they have passed the years OF
childhood the education of the sexes is pest
carried on separately.
AS regards the study of law, Professor
Clifford does not think that the female nina
has any special aptitude for It, though ne
has seen individual women do excellent
work as law students.
..The whole law is masculine in its quail
itv." he argued, and deals with strong
and direct rules, which have 10 be en-
forced. often regardless OF sentimental
qualities Where both sexes are pres
snt the women cast certain lehllhlZihs
influence over the recitation room, in con-
sequence OF which the force and virility OF
the arguments and illustrations are likely
ia be lessened Subconsciously, whether
they wish IL or not. the minds Of the teach-
or and Of the male students are thinking
no, only of the thought which they wish
"a lr1part. but of whether they are putting
that thought and truth in way that Is
suitable for women TO hear.
I'm the study of criminal law topics arise
which are the subject of the greatest en-
harra ssnent when treated in mixed class
The effect of such subjects on the women
is that they frequently skip those recita-
tons.
.Tf women are to be educated in law Tor
rurnoses of citizenship. the best way is to
select those portions of the law which nave
most 10 do with the training of citizens as
such.
I'm nv opinion, it would be the greatest
misfortune TO the law schools Of THIS coui'
fry 10 do anything TO lessen the masculine
strength and yirinty OF the atmosphere
that now surrounds them. Most OF the
Youthful training OF our students IL alre"u'
siye, nv women teachers. Certainly IN the
law there is no need of feminine influence
as an educational force
..,rhe result Of permitting women 10 come
into the law schools would be TO injure