Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-09-01
SAY
AMENDMENT 8
is NECESSARY
State Attorneys Claim II
Would Safeguard
Rights.
URGE ITS ADOPTION

Arguments in favor of the proposed
amendment to the State constitution
which would give the Legislature power
to fix the qualifications of lawyers were
advanced today by committee organized
for the purpose of bringing about the
adoption of the amendment The State
committee is composed of R. S. Williams,
s. C. Cleland and E. D. Sturgis, and the
headquarters is at Bloomington.
The committee made public statements
from various persons as follows:
Charles NJ. Neizer, Attorney, Fort
Wayne-"The provision relating to quail
tications to practice law, as contained in
our present constitution, is very unfor-
tunate, both from a viewpoint of the
lawyer, and the State. The present re-
quirement that the applicant must be of
good moral character is very essential,
but there ara other requirements which
should be imposed, but cannot be i'm
posed under our present constitution.
1--WE boast that we are a Nation of
written laws; that our liberties and obli-
cations are defined by written laws; that
this is the foundation and basis of our
free institutions, and, in sense, dis
tinguishes us from other systems Of gov
eminent. The simplest course of reason
ing impels the conclusion that those who
seek to teach and interpret our laws
should be intellectually trained for that
purpose
Burton b. Barry, Judge of the Twenty
First Judicial Circuit, FOw1er-''The pro-
posed amendment to our State constitu-
ton giving the General Assembly the
power to prescribe qualifications of appli-
cants for the practice of law, ought by
all means to be approved by the people
Of the State.
1.-THE need Of an enlightened, educated
and trained bar increases eacy year. The
necessity of trained lawyers. is as great
as that for trained physicians and sur
geons. An ignorant, unqualified lawyer is
as great a menace in a community, as an
ignorant, unframed physician or surgeon.
The cost OF this ignorance, If it exists,
must fall upon the public"
John s. McFadden, Attorney. Rock
viIle-"Professional men all should be
required by examination to prove they
are qualified before being licensed to prac-
tice. No more reason exists for a physi-
clan, a dentist, veterinary surgeon to
take an examination than for a lawyer
Indiana stands out alone as the only State
In the union which permits any citizen
to practice law upon showing a good
moral character only.
Education Is essential in the law, not
only for the good of the profession, but
for the protection Of its clientage and
their personal and property rights. 1t
does not follow that when qualifications
are required that law school education
viii be required but 1t will follow that
man who holds himself out al engaged
In the practice of the law viii be required
to have at least good fundamental
knowledge of the law and be in some
degree competent to advise as to correct
principles of the law.
- legal education should DO required
and the profession should not have In its
membership men who do not possess suf-
ficent legal knowledge to be safe counsel
Tors and advisors.
Adam Il. Wise, Attorney, Plymouth
There can be no good reason advanced
why the constitution Of the State OF In
diana should not be amended, fixing
qualifications for admission to the bar.
"Since qualifications make toward ef-
flciency, there can be no good reason ad-
vanced why the constitution should not
be amended. The more proficient an ap-
plicant is IN the law, the greater win be
his chances 10 become a successful prac-
titioner In the law"
EstaI G. Bielby. Attorney. Lawrence
burg-'I earnestly believe 1t TO be the
duty, as well as to the best interests of
taxpayers, and especially to litigants, TO
vote Yes on Amendment s, authorizing
the General Assembly to provide for quail
ifcatiens Of persons admitted 10 practice
law in the State Of Indiana"