The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1921-09-01
LAWYERS IN
PLEA FOR 9TH
AMENDMENT

Definite action has been started by
tho lawyers OF Hammond and Lake
county 10 pass the sth amendment Of
the 13 TO be voted on. the 6th OF this
month. in Z meeting called for tomor-
row afternoon by Judge V. S. Reiter
to be held in the superior court house.
Notices have been sent to a large
number of lawyers and a huge meet
ing is scheduled 70 take place.
This action is the result OF the in
tense feeling among Indiana attor-
neys to eliminate the old rule. which
has been the cause OF untold ridicule
FOR this state The Shame of Indi-
ana" is the way other states refer to
the present order of things.
The requirements at present for
lawyers prae,ioinE in Indiana are that
they be voters OF good moral charae
ter-nothing else. Such a lose ruIe
allows a large number OF "Jack-leg"
lawyers to practice the profession. Il
is hardship on other lawyers who
have completed their university train
ing, but it is greater hardship on
the citizens OF the state. who have no
assurance that they are hiring a good
lawyer II they are unacquainted with
the man whom they employ.
It is said that the reason for the
lax requirements is that in 1852. when
the constitution OF the state wa
drawn. there were . large number OF
quack doctors IN the state, and tha'
the passage in the constitution was
Joker passed for the purpose o.
counteracting a movement against
them
Attorney Henry G. Cleveland. can
didate FOR City Judge. said to d Times
reporter few days ago: This
amendment is Of trerls rdous import
ance 10 the people OF this state. and
should be thoroughly explained an.
discussed II is for the benefit o.
everyone that the extreme necessity
os this change in requirements be
known The neV passage will al
low for the fixing OF tho requirements
Of lawyers rracticing in this state by
the legislature
Expressions OF opinion from other
attorneys show that il is the desir,
Of the profession TO keep it on a.
high a plane as possible c. B
Tinkham said today. Indiana is the
only state to allow these disgraceful
conditions to exist in one of the lead
ing professions. II not only reflects
on the intelligence of the people. but
it is real danger 70 the public to al
low any man, with no legal learning
to set himself up as the equal Of those
who have devoted years OF study to
one Of the greatest subjects. 1t direct
~ affects the people"
Joe W. Todd. vice president OF the
Indiana Bar Association. said this:
Indiana should have law on tho
statute books providing for the quail
feations OF attorneys. I believe that
they should have high school cdu-
cation. or its equivalent, with two
more years Of study in a law office or
some law school Of good standing.
believe this is the only way to elm
mate a lot Of rin-ran in the profes-
sion. ] also believe that a practicing
lawyer should be a citizen of the
United States and should have lived
in this country 1T least ten years. un-
less he comes from an English speak
ing country"
J. NJ Stinson. in speaking oc the Sth
amendment, summed UP the opinions
Of score Of others when he said, y
am in favor of ths amendment requir-
ing qualifications for lawyers-absol-
utcly"
The daw for voting on the amend
nents Is September sth It IS the
general opinion that some definite ac-
ton will be taken in the meeting to-
morrow morning 10 pass the one re-
gardihg the practice OF law It is
not necessary to vote for all of the
amendments N ordsr to pass one Tney
will be voted on separately.