Before he settled down in Madras, Mr. Subramanya Iyer had, even as a Vakil practising in a Mofussil station, made his mark not only as an exceptionally able advocate, an acute and penetrative lawyer, a searching cross examining counsel, but as a member of the Bar who had a high regard for the privileges of his profession and would not abuse them for personal gain. Outside his profession as a member of the Municipal Council of Madura, he had done memorable service in the improvement of the water-supply, sanitation, the amenities of civic life and the aesthetical claims of the capital of a renowned former principality of South India. As a member of the Devasthanam committee he was instrumental in restoring Rs. 40,000 to the Temple Funds which had been misappropriated and he added to the revenues of the Temple by obtaining the co-operation of leading merchants, and more important than these he introduced a standard of honesty and public spirit in the administration of the Temple funds and properties. These labours coupled with his intellectual abilities led to his nomination to the Legislative Council where also he fully utilised his opportunities so far
