New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-05-01
THE O'CONOR INQUIRY.
HEARING BEFORE THE TRIBUNAL.


REVIEWS THE CASE.
The tribunal selected by committee OF the
Eew-York Bar Association, at the request OF Charles
OConor TO pass Judgment his professional conduct as
counsel for Mrs. Catharine N. Sinclair In the
well-known Forrest divorce suit, held SEES
SION at Chickering Hall on Saturday, from 10 a. M
till 1890 p. In. OF the members OF the tribunal there
were present ex-Gov. Dix chairman, the Rev. Dr. WIN.
Adams Wilson G.. Hunt, and John X Porter Howard
Potter was unable to attend. The case attracted con-
adorable attention from the public and there were IN
attendance between rs and 100 persons, among whom
were q few ladies, ChiefJustice DAILY, George Tcknor
Curtis and Henry Sedey, the brotherin-law OF MIS-.
Sinclair.
Gen Dix as Chairman, made general call for charges
against Mr. OConor for information on either side OF
the case. Mr. OConor remarked that he had received
letter from lady very often called Mrs Forrest pu' W
whom, at the close Of the trial, he had SAID ~ now
Madam you will be Mrs. Sinclair In tne III
turen This letter. which read by the sec
retary Duane L. Peabody contained Mrs. sinclair
defamation dated April %, OF the invitation TO appear
before the testify She stated that she had
made no charges against Mr. OConor that the orghai
article containing the charges was published with
ont her knowledge and against her wish, ana
even after the promise had been given on
what abe considered responsible authority
that should not appear Her letter closed Win .ne io
lowing: "a" do not therefore, regard mysen as III any
sense party the unpleasant controversy wmch mas
been obtruded upon the public My feelings toward YOU
often warmly expressed have always been those OF pro-
found gratitude for your able and skiful services III my
case but will confess that at the time the Judgment
was paid consequent upon the allowance OF alinony
made to me by the Court, l was Disappointed ana
grieyed being in embarrassed circumstances, that SO
large q part of that judgment should have been con-
sumed by legal expenses and advances and interest
thereon But beyond expressing that disappointment 10
few friends have never, up to the beginning OF TINS
controversy uttered word Of complaint, nor have
ever in consequence of that disappointment suffered
that grateful feeling toward you to bo changed"
Henry sley read short statement addressed to the
tribunal in which he dsclamed haying originated the
statements repealed by Mr.. o'Conor He also dsayoWeu
desire to enter INTO the controversy but asserted that
he had been impeed TO give his version OF the anar
because Mr. OConOr had mentioned the name OF au!'
not responsible the matter and had also maze puoca
private letter Of his Mr. sedleys He Thought MS YER
sion conAicted to some extent with MT OConors state
ment He declined to acknowledge the legitimacy OF the
tribunal as organized by Mr. OConors friends ana
would contribute his testimony TO the case only II he
could be assured that the tribunal would represent ho'h
sides mpartally
Mr. sedey LETT the room, and further call for either
protests or charges having been made and nobody ap
pearing, Mr.. OConor maze IoHg "uuieS'' "'1"'' ."
follows:
AsIfud ~ the gentlemen please, no accusers appear,
ing here-Mr sedey declining TO appear on the GROUND
th9t he considers this proper place. assume that
there is nothing required on my paIt in reference TO him
or his statement and shall say nothing but what may
he anparenty relevant the matters OF inquiry before
Won W. 1P I'm this peculiar state Of the case Now.
have come here, on memorial presented en- yerify
myself to the Bar Association, prepared 10 |eInt
tYery word III il requiring or needing any m ,f
81 verifcaton suppose, there being no alrRa,Ne
roo-no proof offered in support or the truth Oh tuy
Hing that was contained in the article of the 26th OF
Marcht hardly be thought neeesy oT onf IN
reference 10 the various facts contained IN my statement
1t might fairly be considered aecoio occording 70
the rules of reason in other Investigations, tna
the charge as is not answered be assumed to be cor
rect and il il all answered why IL al felaihs
resronse or answer of the accused person. Now II 80
happens that there is sort OF replication ~ DC ~
ASSOCIATION aud has been furnished to the court 10y
gentleman, suppose who protests against teir n,ST
cent what is in the protest that at some other tno or IN
some other place or IN soe oIe sSe tast Of The nar
ties he IS prepared 10 show some errors OF hnsthes Oh
somefhiug in my statement and as far as can Judge the
Sentlema5 he means TO verify his complaint by tie
original statement, although he dscans Sns sP
u % isits bst he never wished to have it published
Well have fothing say about that, but VII say
word about the issues that seem to be pTetented Do M
fact and reason on the part of the gentleman who made
this publication, and who has presented tis %
in print with you. And the FIRST ana mos lnaih SUI
eef of observation u.s. that nobody is to blame put my
self in fact, that it is who nave 1tG az .S
and invited this issue on that We'll II may oe thouenn
little singular that should be charged WITH nakng
trouble and inviting issue, when In couple " PeIs'
Inder annarrntiy substantial and sufficient authority,
he is charged with series OF meannesses ana oi dis
honssy al re VILLAIN imputed to the NewYork ring
or ny o1ber rings have recently heard Of shrink into
gncstion before you, whether there was any NO
laden Of, q P.sDo do % nSt RnoW 1nS@ ans
making il with for nobody who knows about the eircun
stances or who pretends 70 know about dne nae eY
Information himself in any other way any PROOF Oh
the charge and think you viii say mere Sa9 o n nOa
vestraied-the truth OF it TO be determined Now, VINO
snppose Mrs Sinclair and myself are the persons Who
NAV be supposed TO know the most she Las CIV ner
in any charges amy description are concerned shc IN
no way. though served with copy q my sateeh', sup
take it, there was no mlsstateHent III ny ny
made against her for professional services by So Tar
as discover from the press that charge mas peen
abandoned except by that portion or the press tat
chooses to reiterate and continue the charge that
claimed from her $4,000 for collecting ana tst
Is here aud thc'e peated III the hewspalCd. III iat
that charge remains is noS hcc sso bex W
mere before the pubc by Mr. sedey and by
myself These show that the amount c99rgoa ioT $50
wears OF service and this too, while sac was RECEIVING
interest from tbo time OF judgment, and winch she
am sure for believe her to be perfect LADY ana an
honest upright wOman and have always sah so -shd
p,ling up interest in sort Of malicious way
against poor Forrest so that S wer Sod tn, t,e
costs in the period OF eight years. thought could
charge interest $500 Of my lee from me tne II wa,
Recorded i'm her favor aud when she would have pau IL
II she could nave divided the judgment Then rs Is the
usual case the lawyer gets his tees and the @ zee o e
part Now the whole sum charged was slOVOo,
aud there is the interest on that IN sucn =
believe 70 bring It t up so9 @Sse nsen nG
themselves this way. The total amount received ron
Chase S3s,s5o Of this sum there was 1 one a1
interest on 800 other than for those which SloO|
aud THIS WIN Me as brief saeInent , 81 ,h cHarses
were Improper to charge now tLatl collected $0a9Io
I