New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-19
WOMEN.LAWYER
QUESTION REVIVED
Council of Law Society in
London Disapproves Bill
Now Pending.
SENTIMENT VEERING
TOWARD ADMISSION
If Public Wants Feminine Legal
Advisers It Has Right to
Them, Says Veteran.
From Tn. Tribune corresoondcni.I

From The Tribune Correspondcntl
London. April 1.-THE proposal to allow
women to practise as barrsters' and So
licitors is again being aeitated, but the
bill introduced this session into the House
OF Commons embodying this idea has IN
Cured the dlsapproval of the Council OF
the Law Society. Joel Emanuel who has
been a city solicitor for fifty years. talked
very Interestingly about the bill TO
newspaper reporter this week.
II was present with the intention OF
supporting it," he said. but at the last
moment 1T was Withdrawn without any
explanation. / see that the council has
decided to oppose the bill on behalf OF
the legal profession, without ascertaining
the Views OF the members. This makes
it seem that all lawyers are opposed 10
the bill, which is not fair conciusloh'
7 believe that my views are entertained
by a great number OF lawyers, and the
public should not think that the Whole
profession Is adverse to the bill because
the Council Of the Law Society has de-
clded to oppose II.
I'm the course Of my business career J
have found business women most capable
and intelligent with a grasp of business
knowledge which is quite equal TO that
possessed by men. have also in my
private life met professional women, fol-
lowing every profession and vocation open
To them, and have always found them 10
be quite as capable as men. When see
women like George Eliot and Mrs. Hum
phry Ward. I'm literature; Nine. Curie'
who made the discovery OF radium. in
science. Rosa Bonheur and Elizabeth
Thompson. in art, and Nine. Carreno and
Liza Lehman. in music. and women in
every other vocation distinguishing them
selves. / ask What is the lmpediment TO
their being allowed TO practise as solic-
itors or barristers. almost the only pro-
fession which is still closed to them?
My opinion is, and always has been,
continued Mr.. EmaEuel. that women are
i'm every way as capable and able possess
as many faculties and are as accom-
plishcd as men. Sex makes no difference
in mental attain nents. It has been urged
that no woman has ever made her mark
in the world. Tie reason for that IS that
IL is only during the present generation
that women have been able TO enjoy per-
feet freedom. When Girton and Newn-
ham Colleges were established and all the
other educational institutions became
open TO women they got their opportunity
for the first time, and they began TO edu-
cate themselves; hence the rapid advance
ment OF women in the world.
II was present I'm court recently when
Miss Lnd-af-Hageby, the author OF the
charming book. 'Auguste Strindberg's
Philosophy. argued a celebrated yivisec-
ton action for number Of days in the
Kings Bench Division. and the quiet way
in which she argued day after day, the
cogency Of her reasoning and the logical
sequence Of her ideas, considering Inc able
counsel opposed to her would have done
credit to the ablest man at the bar
Women possess clear perception and
foresight, and ! have found that If I
wanted TO know something of "A mans
character a woman could tell me more
about II after five minutes conversation
than I could learn myself after an ac-
quaintance Of weeks. The chief argument
lawyers urge against the admission OF
women 10 the profession Of the law is
that ii would be against public interest.
If the public does not want women as so
licitors and barristers 1t will not consult
them. but II the public requires the ser
vices OF women lawyers it has right TO
them. OF course. for their own personal
benefit, solicitors do not want the profess
sion filled up more than they can help,
but a man who is honest ought not to
argue question OF this kind from the
point of view OF his private interests.
81 have heard it stated that IL women
were allowed TO enter solicitors offices
as articled clerks il would be a disturbing
element In the Office, but | have had ladies
in my office as shorthand clerks, typists
and messengers, and no disturbance has
ever arisen. Many years ago I employed
young men and boys I'm similar capacities.
but ! found them TO be lazy. always look
ing at the clock for the time TO leave
work. and with fingers stained with to-
bacco and | took into my office women
clerks, who have now been with me for
years. and against whom ! never had a
single cause for complaint"