Detroit College of Law - Forum Yearbook (Detroit, MI)

Page 109 text:

FORUMl THE DETROIT COLLEGE OF LAW 'S H12 incorporation of the Detroit College of l.aw in 1891 came as the 'F ,gf L ' . 5 s culmination of the elgforts of several public-spirited lawyers includin--' T ' u1.4nQ.tC X' 1 the noted text-writer and teacher. Mr. Floyd Xlechem, now deceased, to bring Io those many individuals wishing to acquire some knowledge of the law and having access to the many law offices and courts in the City of Detroit. a systematized prosecution of the study of the law under a select group of the judges and practicing attorneys available in the district. Klr. Rlechem, instrumental in its organization. continued as a teacher at the College, occupying the office of Dean for about a year after the formal opening on the 20th of December. 1891. 1Yhen first organized the College secured quarters in the building occupied by the Detroit College of Medicine at the corner of St. .-Xntoine and Mullett streets. The course, as lirst ottered. required two years' work with recitations three evenings each week for a two-hour period each evening. The course was extended to three years in 1897 and recitations held five evenings each week. Be- coming more and more popular as a law school. the hrst day school was added in 1910. the courses offered being the same in both sections. From 1891 to 1915 the College was privately owned and controlled by Mr. Malcolm McGregor and Mr. XYilliam C. XYetherbee. prominent lawyers in the City, both of whom were responsible for the organization and success of the College. ln 1915 the College passed to the control of the trustees of the Detroit Young Mens Christian Association, at which time the library was turned over to the Detroit Har .Xssociation library, of which it now forms a part. The present library was gathered after the time of this change of control in 1915. It was soon after this that the College was moved to its present quarters adjacent to the Blain Branch of the Young RIen's Christian .Xssociation in Detroit. The conviction of the founders of the Detroit College of Law, that leaders of the bench and bar would be available as members of the newly founded insti- tution, was no error. as is evident when among their number are mentioned such Page One Hundred Fwe

Page 108 text:

- 4' fsfvf. ' A '5 Q 1 '- -Y 'Nik ia 4, . f- '24 1 I - . , My A it w , - . I Ag: '-9 0 ' ' .4 - ' - ' V, Y -E -Y Q I., F' - - fy- 4 19. I 21 , -is 9 d .- ,-, 5.1. J! 1 1, -v, ,w af 1 A . - .fi I 3 - ' , 'T . ' .- 1 -A . .. - - 4 1,9-. 5' ,, rv' f- + H ea qfg- A f - ' 4- 1 ,- 1 Y. V .-45-, . A , , . , ' , ' - J-f ' -' f . 'X -1. 5 N! L , I 3.7 .I 1:4 Tw , 1, , L ' D ' ' ,' E ,' 7 . -1 ,E b-. 2q.- .'A 2

Page 110 text:

1- -FORUM men as justices Charles D. Long, XVilliam L. Carpenter and Flavius L. Brooks, of the Supreme Court of Michigan: Judges Alexis C. jXngell and Arthur bl. Tuttle, of the Cnited States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan: Judges Alfred -I. Murphy, Philip T. Van Zile and Harry bl. Dingeman, and such practitioners as Alfred l.ucking. Frank li. Robson, Fred .-X. llaker, -lohn D. Conely, jasper C. Gates. Elisha A. Fraser, john XY. lleaumont, Clarence T. I.ightner. Seward l,. Merriam, T. A-X. li. XN'eadock, .-Xlfred Russell, Col. john Atkinson, R. A. Parker, Thomas T. Leete. Clarence M. Burton and many others. The later Floyd R. Mechem, Philip T. Yan Zile. John C. Bills, XN'illiam S. Sayres and XYilliam Kirchbaum have held the office of Dean from l89l to date. Mr. Mechem administering such duties until lS92, Judge Yan Zile to l9l5g between 1915 and l9lo john C. Bills acted as Dean. following the death of judge Van Zile, and until the appointment in l9l6 of XYilliam S. Sayres. present acting Master in Chancery in the Cnited States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. who occupied the position until l9l7: since that time Dean Krichbaum has executed the duties of the office. During the last few years several notable changes have been made in the administration, none less important than the increase in the amount of preliminary education necessary before entrance. lt is the intention of the Board of Trustees to raise the present standards so that for the school year of 1930-3l two years of college work will be necessary to admittance, and in 1935 one hundred and twenty hours, or a full college course, will be required for enrollment. lt has always been the policy of the College to keep in line with the accepted and modern ideas in legal education. ln adopting the case system in most courses the College follows the prevailing notion among the leading law schools and teachers in the country. ln some courses the case system accompanied by a text forms a harmonious combination of the two systems. The question as to whether or not a law school of the type of the Detroit College of Law is advisable or successful is best answered by the mere mention of the members of its alumni on the bench and prominent at the bar and in busi- ness circles. VVhile there are in attendance at the College many students who are financially able to attend any law school, the peculiar office of this institution has been to offer a sound legal training to students who are required to support them- Page One Hundred Sir