The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-09-01
URGES LAWYERS
TO SHOW INTEREST
Senator Borah OF Idaho Thinks They
Should Show More Concern in Leg
islatiOn in the Several States
of the Country.

Chicago Sept. IA plea for a more
general interest in legislation on the part
of the country's lawyers was made before
a meeting of the American Bar associa'
tion Yesterday by Senator William Il
Borah of Idaho The purpose of legisla
ton would be served more fully, H. said,
were the same impartial care exercised in
its framing as is given it in its inter
probation by the courts.
Scrutiny and criticism by great law
yers, acting solely in the public interest,
said the senator, would have the great.
est influence for good when laws are be.
ing moulded.
"0ur courts are being constantly as
sailed for constructions placed upon
statutes said Senator Borah, but, can
didly the marvel TO me is, in view of the
influences which surround legislation, the
careless and indifferent manner in which
bills are drafted, the selfish and sinister
influences which warp our statutes in the
making that the courts have done as well
as they have in interpreting them. If
the American bar would look upon our
statutes somewhat as the great lawyers
in private life looked in on affairs in
1855 and 1857 il would be a wholesome
influence. the extent of which could be
measured neither by time nor words.
you say this is a great deal to ask,
a great deal to expect that men turn
aside from their personal concerns TO
help with the work which others have
been selected TO do. But | reply there is
vast amount at stake and further give
il as my deliberate opinion that these in.
situations of ours cannot be kept intact
il we are to depend alone upon those who
hold public Office
Lawyers, said Senator Borah, owe a
particular duty to the community in the
special knowledge.
THE difference in responsibility be-
tween man in public office and the citi
zen in private life is one OF degree only"
he said, but if the lay citizens owes
something to the public far greater the
obligation of a lawyer. Almost every
conceivable question, almost every mat.
ter of moment TO the citizen at this lime
involves in some way knowledge of the
law and the training which enabled US to
adjust well known legal principles to our
new industrial and social conditions
Senator Borah declared the lawyer who
becomes public official has no right TO
hold a retainer while writing a law in
the public interest, and law that may
affect his client adversely
"A member of Congress-" he said. "is
in an indefensible position who is called
upon to legislate concerning those mat
tiers in which his clients may have an in
terest and which may concern them Vi
tally Men do not give large retainers
to the men engaged in public service in
order that those men may more thor
oughly look after the public interest.
They give them because they expect
them to be amenable to reason in an
and in order that they may
be sufficiently conservative in not WELD
ing to that radicalism which takes alone
into consideration the public interest.
II venture to prophesy that the peo-
pie will in due time insist that their
in Congress shall stand !
Is free from the relationship of client |
and attorney with reference to all those |
matters upon which they are called to |
egislate as now characterizes the great |
tribunal which passes finally upon the
of the laws which we
make"