Lockwood-0068_11

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MY EFFORTS TO BECOME A LAWYER. * 995

been now fourteen years before the bar, in an almost continuous prac-
tice, and my experience has been large, often serious, and many times
amusing. . I have ‘never lacked plenty of good paying work; but,
while I have supported my family well, I have not grown rich. In
business I have been patient, painstaking, and indefatigable. There is
no ‘class of case that comes before the court that I have not ventured to
try, either civil, equitable, or criminal; and my clients have been as
largely men as women. There is a good opening at the bar for the class
of women who have taste and tact for it,
' But neither my ambitions nor my troubles ceased with my admis-
sion to the District bar. On or about the Ist of April, 1874, having
-an important case to file in the Court of Claims, I asked one A. A.
Hosmer, a reputable member of the bar of that court, to move my
admission thereto, having previously filed with the clerk my power of
-attorney in the case, and a certificate from the clerk of the District

- .Courtof my good standing therein, as required by the rule of that court.

At precisely twelve o’clock the five justices of that dignified court
marched in, made their solgmn bows, and sat down. Without ceremony,
after the formal opening of the court by the clerk, and the reading of
the mjputes of the last session, my gracious attorney moved my ad-
mission. There was a painful pause. Every eye in the court-room
was fixed first upon me, and then upon the court ; when Justice Drake,
in measured words, announced, “ Afistress Lockwood, you are a woman,”
For the first time in my life I began to realize that it was a crime to
be a woman; but it was too late to put in a denial, and I at once
pleaded guilty to the charge of the court. Then the chief justice an-
nounced, “This cause will be continued for one week.” I retired in
good order, but my counsel, who had only been employed for that
oceasion, deserted me, and seemed never afterwards to have backbone
enough to keep up the fight.

On the following week, duly as the hand of the clock approached
the hour of twelve, [ again marched into thé court-room, but this time
almost with as much solemnity as the judges, and accompanied by my
husband and several friends. When the case of Lockwood was reached,
and I again stood up before that august body, the solemn tones of
the chicf justice announced, “ Mistress Lockwood, you are a married
woman!” Here was a new and quite unexpected arraignment, that
almost took my breath away for the moment; but I collected myself,
“and responded, with awave of my hand towards my husband, “ Yes,
may it please the court, but I am here with the consent of my hus-
band,” Dr. Lockwood at the same time bowing to the court. My
pleading and distressed look was of no avail. The solemn chief justice
responded, “ This cause will be continued for another week.”

Secing that a fierce contest was imminent, I forthwith employed a
member of this bar, one Charles W. Horner, to appear and plead my
cause. He was a man who loved justice, and who feared neither the
court nor conservatism. He prepared an able argument, presented it to
the court on the following Monday, and, after patient attention, was
allowed to file the same with the clerk, while the cause of “ Lockwood”
was continued for one more week. Next Monday, Judge Peck, who