University of Nebraska College of Law - Yearbook (Lincoln, NE)

Page 51 text:

AS WE ARE 45 forget the eagerness with which the barbs dug ballots out of the waste basket, or the pained surprise apparent on the faces of the frats when they witnessed the hostile demonstrations of their oppo- nents. For weeks the two factions struggled for possession of the presidential chair. The daily papers of the city teemed with news of the coniiict, and the college publications added their voices to the tumult. Finally the chancellor, fearful that the janitor would some morning find the law room slippery and sloppy with gore, prorogued the club until the end of the semester, and sweet Peace fluttered ljaack from the mountains where she had been sojourning in fear and trembling. ' The course of the Twenty-fifth Nebraska Legislative session was followed with more or less interest. The bookkeeper of the sen- ate was taken from the class, and several alumni of the University held positions either as members or ofEcers of the upper and lower houses. Then, too, our attention was attracted by the large num- ber of fresh bills, which the teeming brains of our legislators brought forth. The anti-fraternity bill, the anti-football bill, and the bill to change the requirements for admission to the bar will probably never be excelled as monumental curiosities. The year has not been remarkable for startling occurrences. But, as the apparently insignificant happenings a1'e cherished longest in the memory and remain to comfort us after more stir- ring events are forgotten, it may be well to recall a few of the little things which have made us laugh during the months just passed. Who of us will ever forget Flaherty's announcement that ua bill of revivor was filed when a former complainant was laboring under death or other disabilityj' the Mother disability, of cour sg being marriage. The reply of Placek to the carefully worded question of J udg 1 Reese as to whether a certain transaction constituted a mortgage or conditional sale will probably never be excelled. Mr. Placek thought the question over and then replied, 't Yes, sir, I think it wouldf, - lVe have all preserved for future use the two little narratives of the Dean in regard to the man who fell out of bed because he slept too close to the place where he got in atf' and the remark-

Page 50 text:

44 THE Drensr first roll-call of his class in Evidence, explained at great length that' he was teaching the most important branch of the law, and that no student could hope to be a bright star in the legal firma- ment unless he firmly grasped the principles about to be eluci- dated. The next day Professor Robbins, in Common Law Plead- ing, fixed us with his eagle eye and told us that no study in the curriculum was half so important as the one we were then be- ginning. Judge VVebster occuiped the instructor's desk on Friday. The Judge carefully wiped his spectacles, smiling be- nignly as he did so. Then he said, MYoung ladies and gentle- men, I but voice the sentiment of all great lawyers when I say that Equity transcends in importance all other departments of juridical learning. I trust you will realize this and give Equity the attention it deserves? We at once felt that grave responsibilties rested on our should- ers and we began our work with great vigor. I-Iow could we feel or act otherwise when We were engaged upon three studies each of which was more important thanany other? After the year was fairly begun we found much to keep us- busy. The presidential campaign was on and was fully as ab- sorbing as the excellent works of Bispham and Stephen. Some of the class and a large part -of the faculty pretended to study law during the day and made political speeches at night whenever and wherever crowds could be found patient enough to lriten to them. The joint debate between the sound money and Bryan clubs of the University attracted its share of attention, since three of the four speakers were from the Law College. Interesting as thecampaign was, its results caused no deaths in the class and thc- vocal organs of the Dean and Professor Robbins and Flaherty gradually returned to their normal condition. With one exception the class elections, which are usually events of great interest, attracted comparatively little attention.. The election at the beginning of the year, when Smith beat Waal- lis for president by the narrow margin of one vote, caused a rip-- ple of excitement but succeeding meetings of the class were very peacable. Should I fail to mention the December election of the Maxwell club the omission would never be forgiven. Few of us will ever

Page 52 text:

46 THE DIGEST able rifle ball that pierced seven feet of solid steel by reason of the unusual powers of concentration. True will always remember the afternoon when he gallantly es- corted Judge Websteris daughter into the equity class and smil- ingly sat down beside her, only to have the Judge read him an extended lecture a few minutes later. If we live a thousand years the picture of the real property class will remain fresh in the galleries of memory. I can shut my eyes now and see the Dean, as from day to day he despairingly looked over the aggregation of hopeless imbecility before him, and strove in vain to detect some evidence of intellect and under- standing in the students who received his explanations of legal principles with vacant and meaningless sta1'es. In years to come the Real Property class of this year will be referred to as a com- pany of flunkers who won their championship through sheer ig- norance and clung to it with a grip like grim death. But enough of these filmy nothings. As the year draws to a close we are beginning to see how valuable the weeks spent here have been to us, and we appreciate, as never before, the eflicient corps of instructors who have labored so faithfully to make some- thing presentable out of the crude material that Providence has thrown in their way. If we donit set the world alire it will not be the fault of the faculty. They have done their duty. It only remains for us to do ours. - 'V' K0 10 9 ' wa S' Q W A