University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

Page 17 text:

evidences an unusual activity in the field of authorship, and is of itself adequate to secure for Professor Mecbem an honorable place i n the development of legal science. Professor Mechem early showed his interest in education. He was instrumental in the organization of the Detroit College of Law. In 1891 he was called to the University of Michigan to fill the Tappan Professor- ship of Law, and the thousands of students who have since sat under his instruction are hearty in their approval of his choice to follow the calling of a teacher rather than to continue the practice of his profession. For some time he had charge of the Practice Court , that feature of the Michigan Law School which has done so much to fit students for quick success in their chosen profession, but at present he confines his attention to instruction in The Science of Jurisprudence , Damages , Taxa- tion , Partnership and The Administration and Distribution of the Estates of Deceased Persons. No one can be long with Professor Mechem, or see him in familiar intercourse with his students, without being impressed with his person- ality. His easy appreciation of the difficulties which students encounter, his keen sympathy with their ambitions, and his ability to encourage what is best in their ideals, are perhaps the explanation of that strong and helpful influence which he exerts upon the student body. Nor is this influence confined to the Law Department. One who knows the trend of sentiment regarding University matters can not fail to recognize a marked development, during past years, in the direction of a single comprehen- sive university idea broad enough to embrace all departments of the University. This is indicated, among other things, in the joint courses that have been established between the Literary and Professional Depart- ments. Professor Mechem has always stood strongly for this idea and no member of the Law Department has been more ready than he to give thought and counsel for its realization. Another tendency which marks the development of the University, is its effort to adjust instruction to the needs of practical life without destroying the culture and scholarship which a university education ought to bestow. With this tendency, also, Professor Mechem has always identified himself, as is evidenced by the interest he has shown during the past year in the establishment of a course in Higher Commercial Education. There is perhaps no man on the Campus whose attitude of mind more clearly represents the healthful trend of education at the University of Michigan than does that of Professor Mechem.

Page 16 text:

legal practice which came to him in Battle Creek does not seem to have permitted the exercise of that keen power of analysis which has since secured for him an enduring reputation, and it may have been this sense of mental confinement which induced him, in 1887, to remove to Detroit where he established the firm of Mechem Beaumont. The Detroit venture was eminently successful, but this fact is relatively less significant, as bearing upon Professor Mechem ' s subsequent career, than the fact now to be narrated. It was recognized by the bar that no book existed adequate to the needs of the practitioner upon the general question of Agency. Professor Mechem undertook to supply this need, and in 1889 published his work entitled A Treatise on the Law of Agency. It is not common for reviewers of law publications to speak with discrimination, or with more than perfunctory praise, of the books which they review. Professor Mechem ' s Agency , however, met with a different reception. The following is quoted from the Harvard Law Review: The author has very carefully classified the different branches of the law under discussion, and divided and subdivided its topics in a most admirable manner; in fact, one is almost led to believe that the law can be reduced to an exact science after reading Mr. Mechem ' s simple though exhaustive classification of the law of agency. The reception of this work by the American bar encouraged Pro- fessor Mechem to undertake other treatises. In 1890 a second book made its appearance, namely, A Treatise on the Law of Public Offices and Officers. This was an entirely new work and at the time of its appear- ance was the only treatise, English or American, upon this important subject. In 1891 appeared Professor Mechem ' s revision of Hutchins on Carriers. This was more than a revision, for the original treatise was enlarged by one-half. Then followed four publications, compilations of cases, upon The Law of Agency 1893, The Law of Damages 1893 (second edition, 1898), The Law of Succession 1895, and The Law of Partnerships 1896. The ' ' Elements of the Law of Partnership appeared in 1899 and his little book entitled Outline of the Law of Agency , being in the main, Professor Mechem ' s lectures upon that subject before the students of the University, was published in 1901. For several years Professor Mechem has been engaged in the preparation of a comprehensive work upon Sales , a work which, when it appears, will come into competition with Benjamin on Sales, and respecting which his brethren in the profession have high expectations. The above list of titles, which includes none of his numerous contributions to magazines,

Page 18 text:

In bringing- to a close this hasty sketch I can not do better than quote the advice which Professor Mechem recently gave to the students of the Law Department respecting The Study of the Law , for this advice is pertinent not only to the particular class of students whom he addressed, but to all who aim at the attainment of scholarly proficiency in any branch of investigation, or of the highest success in any profes- sional occupation. The nomenclature is special, the principle which speaks through this nomenclature is universal. To recapitulate, I would venture to suggest that the student endeavor: I. To so analyze and classify his work that he may see, as far as possible, the true relation of each subject to the others. II. ' ' To ascertain and make his own, not the mere language of the rules laid down, but the reason of the rule the fundamental idea or principle which gave it birth. III. To so associate each principle with some leading case in which it was applied that the principle itself shall be to him not a mere abstraction but a living force operating upon actual facts in such wise as to at once suggest the manner and the limit of its application.