The Washington herald., 1916-09-09
NATIONAL UNIVERSITY
LAW SCHOOL

The National University Law School
will reopen its doors for its forty-eishth
annual session on October 2 next. Many
important changes and additions have
been made in the courses OF study offer
ed and in the faculty who will have
charge of them. One Of the most import
ant changes which has been made in re-
cent years is the combination Of the text
book and case-book methods Of instruc-
ton. The textbook, while indispensable
to anything like really valuable con-
ception OF the law as a whole. lacked the
advantage claimed for the case system
Of requiring the student to do his own
abstracting from the concrete cases. The
combination system now employed in the
National University Law School enables
the student to secure the benefit Of the
textbook and classroom instruction, and
then with another set of instructors to
take up the leading cases which illus
trate and clarity the general principles
The problem of correct methods OF IN
struction In Washington is complicated
by the fact that the student body Of
many OF the schools. and notably of the
National University law School, Is COM
posed OF civil service employees and 9TH
ers who are not able to devote their
whole time to the study of law. The
problem which the National Law School
has sought to meet was to so arrange its
courses, its hours and its methods Of
instruction as to give the best results
possible to those who had only GER
tain number Of hours which could be de-
voted to classroom instruction and home
study
The old school building on Thirteenth
street. between New York avenue and I.
has become one Of the landmarks Of the
city and in its halls have been heard
many OF the most distinguished judges
and members OF the bar in this District
during the long period which has elapsed
since the civil war. The university was
first organized in 1857 and later was re-
organized under special act OF Congress
in 1895. Among the distinguished jurists
who have held a place upon the faculty
are to be found the names OF Associate
Justice Samuel Miller, of the Supreme
Court Of the United States, who here de-
livered the lectures which were after
ward published as Miller on the Const-
tuition: the Hon. John Goode. Of Vir-
ginia, formerly Solicitor General of the
United States; Walter D. Davidge, ESQ,
the leader of the District OF Columbia
bar; H. o. Claughton. OF the Virginia
bar: Hon. James Schouler, OF Boston, the
eminent juridical writer; Chief Justice
Alvey. Of the Court Of Appeals OF Mary
land. and for many years Chief Justice
OF the Court Of Appeals OF the District
of Columbia. Among the judges of the
| Supreme Court Of the District who have
served or who are now serving upon the
faculty, were Justice Arthur Macarthur
Charles c. Cole, Justice Job Barnard
Justice Anderson and Justice Frederick
L Siddons
Among the distinguished gentlemen who
have served upon the board OF trustees
of the National University were Sena-
| tors Fry. Of Maine: Blair Of New Hamp-
shire; Morgan. Of Alabama; Hill OF Colo
| RADIO, and Bishop Hurst. There have been
graduated during the nearly half century
Of the Law Schools existence nearly $500
men who form a very powerful alumni
association with members in every State
and Territory. There are four graduates
OF the Law School now serving in the
present Congress and the president OF the
Alumni Association Is Hon. Charles c.
Carlin, member Of Congress from Vir-
, ginia- One OF the activities Of the ascot
alton which is now under foot is IN the
form Of a bureau which will assist In the
location OF graduates OF the institution in
law offices and business employments
with which the association through Its
members Is in touch. Last year the asso-
citation created four alumni scholarships
for the benefit Of the Western. Eastern,
Central and Business high schools of the
city. The scholarships to be awarded in
such a manner as the District Board of
Education or the superintendent OF the
high schools should determine. Among the
interesting features OF the law school
work for the coming year will be the
contest between the two debating So
cieties which will be organized by mem
bers Of the faculty. 1t is also expected
that from time to time during the school
year interesting lectures upon matters OF
national Importance will be delivered by
men prominent in public life. The Greek
letter fraternity. the parent chapter Of
which Is in the National University Law
School and which now has a number of
chapters in prominent law schools
throughout the country, has recently or
ganized an alumni chapter which has a
large and influential membership. The
Owl, the monthly magazine published by
the alumni chapter is proving Of great
interest to the student body and alumni
membership. The officers Of the univer-
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