Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 01.pdf/175

The theory of the course has regularly the Law Committee, all of whom were highly been to give the classes an outline of the | reputable lawyers, some of them having whole domain of municipal law. Of course, I a national reputation. Among them were Hamilton Fish, Mr. Justice Blatchford, Alex in two years only a mere outline was possi ble. In the early history of the institution, ander W. Bradford, formerly Surrogate and it was quite difficult to hold the students for a distinguished lawyer, George T. Strong, that time, since by the rules of court, as and at a later date, Stephen P. Nash. Legislation of this kind was not new, but already stated, no time whatever was re quired. Here were two parallel methods then existed in favor of several Law Schools offered to each aspirant for legal honors. in the State; among others, one at Albany, One was offered in this manner: attend the still in operation. The Law Committee for Law School, remain two years, and then a number of years acted under this law, per upon an examination be admitted to the bar. sonally attending public examinations at a great personal sacrifice, and passing upon The friends of the other method remon strated : why attend any lectures? go up to the fitness of the applicant for admission to your examination when you please, trust to the bar, as well as for the bestowment upon your good fortune and the leniency of the them by the Trustees of the degree of examiners; you will readily attain your Bachelor of Laws. The " pass " examination to which candidates for graduation were re end. It was determined at an early day that it quired to submit covered the whole range of was wise to confine the attention of the stu their studies. This method was adopted to dents mainly to the principles of the law, secure greater familiarity with the subjects paying comparatively little attention to the in which they had been instructed, every details of local practice. There was, how effort being made to avoid cramming. This ever, a formidable obstacle in the way of this system is still continued. It has resulted in course. The examiners appointed by the great thoroughness of study and close ac court practically paid no attention to legal quaintance with the subject. The better principles, although there was but one ex students have their resources at immediate amination for admission for both attorneys command. Ground that has been so thor and counsellors. Besides, as new examiners oughly traversed does not need to be were appointed four times a year, there was traversed again. These "pass " examinations no established or prevailing method of pro have been mainly oral. If the candidate is unsuccessful, another trial is conceded upon ceeding in that respect. If one Board fa vored theoretical study, the next adopted a written papers. It is by such a variety of different view, and confined all their inquiries modes that the knowledge or want of knowl to trivial and useless details. Taking all edge of every student, both day by day and things together, the outlook for the success finally, can be ascertained. Mr. Pollock has of a regular and systematic course of study recently given expression to the principle : was unpromising and discouraging. "Viva voce questioning and discussion . . . This state of things led to an application and whatever may bring the order of exami to the legislature to allow the graduates to nation into contact with real life and make be admitted to the bar on a certificate from it less of a routine apart, should, so far as pos the College that they had attended the sible, be introduced and encouraged" (Nine lectures for two years, and had passed a teenth Century, February, 1889, p. 300). satisfactory examination before its Law The first class graduated in the year 1860. Committee. This Committee consisted of the A motion was made to that branch of the Professors in the Law School and the mem Supreme Court holding its terms in the City bers of the Board of Trustees belonging to of New York for the admission of the grad