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

Page 33 text:

Probably encouraged somewhat by the apparent success of that class, and at the suggestion of Messrs. T. S. Allen and VV. F. Schwind, Mr. Wfilliam Henry Smith, who had lately come to Lin- coln from Philadelphia, organized, in the fall of 1889, a law class which he called Central Law College. Good quarters were secured in the Burr block. The printed announcement contained the names of a very long list of lecturers including some of the most promi- nent lawyers in the state. Some of these gentlemen, and notably Judge XVebster and Mr. Wfilson, did deliver systematic courses of lectures. In the number and variety of her courts, the extent and char- acter of her libraries, the number and importance of her educa- tional institutions, and in her central location, Lincoln possessed decided advantages for the establishment of a law school, to which these earlier efforts served to attract attention. Members of the Lancaster county bar saw the opportunity and broached the sub- ject to members of the general faculty of the State University and board of regents. f ' In April, '91, a committee of the faculty consisting of Pro- fessors Howard, Kingsley, Caldwell, Nicholson, and McMillan re- ported in favor of the expediency of establishing a law department, not neglecting to add that the favorable inliuence of the b-ar will doubtless prove a new source of strength to the University. Pro- fessor Howard presented the report to the board of regents. Judge I. R. VVebster addressed the board in favor of the proposed school. The Lancaster County Bar association passed favorable resolutions and appointed a committee to confer with the Chancellor and regents. At the june meeting, 1891, the board of regents authorized the Chancellor to confer with the bar committee upon the organization of the school. At later meetings it provided for the salaries of a dean and four lecturers, employed VVilliam Henry Smith as Dean, appointed a large corps of lecturers, and authorized the Chancellor to assign to the Law College the use of such rooms Nas might be secured without interference with regular University work, and to have printed a small, extra sheet for the present catalogue. The 'flaw facultyf, until otherwise ordered,'1 consisted of: 'William H. Smith, Dean, james M. Wfoolworth, science of jurisprudence: Joseph R. Wfebster, equity jurisprudenceg John C. Cowin, constitutional law: Manoah B. Reese, real and personal propertyg Samuel Maxwell, pleadings: Wfilliam H. Munger, private '27

Page 32 text:

,... X Le'--M4-T' L ' -, , X lt T , . .ill iw. K . . . ,.m,x - - my s -M , ' ' a- 'ff if-11 f f'f -l - s 3' ' 1 ' is i l ' QF' 'VHS T 1 li til T lt 155 . ' fi T , T Flat? fl e iii -.i ' wi via itil -' V - X, Q3 . is ill .ll 11 ll lit! 'lk iss him- --+-M --- ' Lfxa- S-1 iii flfmlrlliin. tl ,atcliln M--M'-'rf mm'- -t'--r - . ,y p, f ,QM The history of the College of Law is so ably told by Professor Charles A. Robbins in the Law Digest of 1897 that for the period prior to that year we give it in his words: Tn the fall of 1888, some two dozen young men, who were reading law in the offices of Lincoln lawyers, organized a class for more systematic study and the trial of moot cases. This class inet for a few weeks in the law offices' ot Lamb, Ricketts 6k Wfilson, over the old Lancaster County bank, on Ioth street. Soon after the or- ganization of the class the writer accepted an invitation to become its leader and instructor. The place of meeting was changed to the rooms of the Lincoln Business College, The class met two even- ings in each week. Readings were assigned in some standard text- book, and the regular class work was limited to a quiz upon the subject matter of the reading. The work of the class as a whole was not satisfactory. All the advantages of law office study, so much vaunted by some lawyers who know nothing of the better methods, were possessed by these young men, supplemented by the regular assignment and discussion of readingsg but their average progress was discouragingly slow and uncertain. Class organization was too lax, recitations were too tewg the study of the assigned readings could not be made compul- sory. It ought to be said that a number of the young men appeared to apply themselves diligently to the work and made satisfactory progress. VVith the coming of summer heat -the work was sus- pended. 26

Page 34 text:

rights and obligations g Genio M. Lambertson, criminal law, Henry H. Wilson, evidence. VV ith the exception of Mr. Cowin, the gentlemen accepted the appointments. Mr. Munger lectured on the do-mestic relations and Mr. Lambertson on interstate commerce. Mr. john C. Wfatson was subsequently appointed lecturer on criminal law. The following gentlemen were also invited to deliver lectures at such times and upon such subjects as might be determined upon, but without compensation 2 eg - ,R f - V fl? f-' - '- fi zsefrie '-rrif A E 3 i .,.,.X:.-., .,. .. - ' f-v -P.-.gf ,ag .-.rf --.::'.a7 zz, - ' ,, - - f - N ,:v.. ... :JI 11,31 -Ng! , - ,.w-ttf urfi :f 5533: : Q, : ?F.:g- f:?-:,-- ,-L gi.: 2 ,- LL: A 1 a f-41255 - N' ' ' vfqg: wx: - ,L 535: -I sg.: 1 ,fr--52 in-, ,gig .... 35 'S ' -L- -if E ,EES ff i clfr 'a aa- :rr - 2 :um 2111- an-.-- as: - - 1:2 i . -T A-35,5 gag .:,,,- . gg.: ...na :ggi za: u:::: FE Q i - :- E -5 - . 2 '5 1 F - g el 'r - E51-:. i - '1...-..,.,.::..... lll!!'1 'llWll HI'uf-mm-.u:.::,:Lnmv11 Iwlulllll lfllfvgglu. jryggl , .vrl:n!sFy15l1nr T f f 'VI-UD L 'ml 'CZ-i'T-H W 'ls ,0 TY T' F ' T2-'X fa- M ill if F I I Z Q' f1'H'5'p.N 'l:, ,. X f ' i . W 4 A. fqff- K 1 -ff ,:.T' if ' .' ' .gf ff' wz , -h xx Ap' I '-:asain , rw.. -i I 'wx ' is - 1 i1F-i-. wv.Z'-'z,u1llh-::gfg.ss::. s l l a:!if195e,.q 5!fG5-gifs: vs' N an 4 Y F 1 1' 5- X , if 1 , or - 'fl N -:- f - Q i 1' - , .---51.4 : lf- i 12. ,mn .,Fgw..l, --..- I ...I f i '?P A.. ' I uf' f Q55 x x . x 2 1 II lllllllllllllmruilmf 11 ff In XM ,: HS. I. Tuttle, S. B. Pound, N. S. Harwood, C. O. VVhedon, T. M. Marquett, S. L. Geisthardt, A. R. Talbot, W. I. Bryan, all of Lincoln, Eleazer W'akeley, john M. Thurston, W. R. Kelly, H. I. Davis, all of Omaha, judge Broady, of Beatrice, S. W. Osborne, of Blair, John B. Cessna, of Hastings, judge Post, of Columbus, Judge VV. H. Morris, of Crete. A number of these gentlemen delivered lectures before the school. 28