The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-13
CHARLES O'CONOR.
The Charges Against Him Pro-
nounced Malicious.
OPINIONS OF PROMINENT LAWYERS.
His Defence Of Mrs. Forrest Thought to be Kind,
Generous and Chiyalrous.


Mr.. Charles 0'conors reply to the charges made
against him in connection with his action counsel
FOR Mrs Edvin Forrest in the celebrated Forrest
divorce suit, which published in full in the HER.
AID naturally formed principal topic OF conversation
throughout all circles yesterday. II among law
ycrs that the subject was fully discussed
As samples OF the general opinion hold by the most
eminent lawyers OF this city interviews published
which had with Chief Justice C. r. DAILY ex-
Judge Fullerton and Henry !. Clinton. Appended
also viii be found the statements OF both Mr. Henry
sedey and Mrs Sinclair forrest in which 1t will be
found they maintain the charges to be true
Wih regard to tho assertion that has been made that
IT was with view to support herself that Mrs Forrest
went on the stage contrary opinion expressed
yesterday TO the writer. Indeed of her former
friends, occupying prominent positions in the
munity. state in most positive language that
the very fact OF her appearance the stage
furnishes tho proof that shc always expected
10 pay Mr. O'conor for his services. She repeatedly
they say, stated that It was order to obtain money
pay him his that she intended appear before
he public Her debut against the express wish Of
her counsel and others interested in her. for it
thought such proceeding could but tend to prejudice
her case
JuDGE C. p. pALy's VIEWS.
In n conversation with Hon. Charles +. Daily Chief
Justice OF The Court Of Common Pleas that gentleman
stated that he thought the reply OF Mr. oConor the
charges that had been made against him hardly
CURED, for believed IN their truth. He, as a
lawyer, did not imagine that Mr.. orc, nor ever in
tended to have the idea conveyed that he had
entered the suit as counsel, without expectation OF III
nma,ely recovering his costs. These ex-
ceedingy small Tor the magnitude Of The the
iengsh OF time In which he engaged IN asserting
Mrs Forests rights. lie thought Mr.. O'Couor had
behaved most ma u mO usly Tho case was N most
Intricate ana complicated one, and but Tow law
ycrs could have carried It through to such q
successful issue The idea that Mr.. O'Conor
had probably gotten abroad from the TACT
that u was known that his client mad money ex
pend, and that no, in order 10 win the battle was
obliged pay large from own pocket but
that he iclt sure oil ultimately winning victory and
rs 4 consequences, the settlement OF his ices.
Al the time he (Judge Daly) made the presentation
to Mr. OConor on behalf OF the ladies' lie had conceived
no idea either then before that that
been acting sraiuiiousy II was not SO understood
Tar he knew by o the subscribers the present.
or by the profession generally. Mr. OConor he
always looked upon as most upright
and cultured gentleman, whose honor could be
inpeachcd. The charges, he thought were wiifuy
malicious as well as frivolous. lie had had Time
he SAID, TO read Mr.. OConor's reply presented TO
the Bar Association. ana was, therefore, unable TO talk
upon that point
HENRY L. cLixrox's OPINION
In answer 10 questions put to hun yesterday by tho
writer, Mr. Henry L. Clinton said substantially US FOL
o'CoEor, think them simply absurd. They were
thought when they were rst published, and there
WAS no necessity Tor Mr.. O'Conor to notice
them in any way; yet, for all that, think his
course has been II only example younger
members OF the Bar In respect to the charges made
by Mr.. O'Conor ia his bill ot costs think they have
were rdiculously low IN fact the amount he
all was by means FAIR remuneration Tor his SER
vices. The suit lasted nineteen years. That he
ever intended that il should be considered
that he acting counsel gratuously
l do not Tor one instant believe. lie simply,
in the nrst place. had that tho legal proceedings
would spread over 20 long period. and IN the next
not doubling his finally securing verdict Of
Mrs. Forrest, he
our or PURE KISDnEARTEDxEss,
generosity and sympathy Tor woman situated as
Ms. Forrest was, was content to help her
and trust TO the future for his reward The
seit was u costly one. and Mr. O'Conor
advanced large sums 10 carry II on and IL proba
lily from this act becoming known that the mpr ssion
got abroad that lie was acting without fee think,
however, such supposiion would be prcposterous,
Tor could like Mr. O'Conor afford To give 50
many years OF his time Tor nohing As IL turned out
| fancy he would have been better without
having had anything 10 do with the whatever
or alter all, figure out that he was. ut the time of
.hc settlement several thousand dollars cash worse
,I than when he went INTO the case taking con
sidersilon the loan he made OF $3.50 10 one
party and smaller sums TO others The charges wcro
published cel certain IN order that private
might be gained, and am the more convinced Of that
elntr reading Mr. OCouors statement, tor, In his
marks he makes illusions To several iacls which, con
ridcrcd IN conjunction, are very Significant MI
u'Conor's action throughout, think, most kind
generous and chivalrc