Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 Excerpt: ... on his profession, and trusts him accordingly. Knowing the law, he knows its imperfectness, and when, and where,. and in what manner, the exigencies of business, and the advance of civilization require new laws to be made, or old ones modified, amended or repealed. This knowledge belongs to the public, and should be utilized for its benefit. Every citizen owes to the community or State, that quality of service that he, better than others, is qualified to render. If the lawyer understands the necessity of any reform in the law, and the means by which such reform can be effected better than other citizens whose knowledge and skill lie in other directions, he owes a corresponding duty to the public to bring about the needed reform. Public measures looking towards reforms, can only be carried by combination and cooperation. By unity of purpose and unity of action among many, or as "our constitution expresses it, by cherishing a spirit of brotherhood. But it is well to remember that the domain of a brotherhood which seeks to confer public benefits, lies outside of and beyond the central world of self. The spirit of such brotherhood may well recognize that measure of selfishness by and through which each one provides for his own; but it reaches out beyond this, and spins golden threads which reach from one self to another self, and still on, and on, until a large number of men, with like tastes, or pursuits, or interests, are united in the cherished bonds of brotherhood. This is the spirit which this Association has sought to invoke among the lawyers of Illinois. It has sought to bring them together to discuss the reason and philosophy of the law, and compare notes as to its practical operation in the administration of justice. It has sought to lead the way...