Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1876-04-20
O.CONOR.


The good name of every citizen who
has made himself a great name should
be dear to us all. The revelations of
the last few months have sickened us
all. The great lawyer, whose name
heads this paragraph, was a short time
since, in an elaborate article in the New
York Times, charged with the grossest
unprofessional conduct in connection
with the Forrest divorce case, and we
are pleased to see that he has indig-
nantly denied the charge and has de-
manded an investigation at the hands
of the New York "Bar Association"
The New York Herald, in which jour-
nal MIR. O'Conor's letter of vindication
appears, considers that gentleman's
simple denial q sufficient refutation of
the charge. Mr.. O'Conor himself does
not so think. He takes the broad
ground that the Bar Association is
bound 10 protect its W honor by
such an investigation and judgment as
will rid it of unworthy members and
relieve the worthy Of unjust imputa-
tons. In his letter to the Association
he says:
Il am guilty Of what is charged in
either aspect OF the article, or any part
OF it, l ought to be ex spelled from mem
bsrship in your association, and from
the Bar itself, as a disgrace 10 both. l
should also be refused a place in any
reputable organization. This would
plainly be so the victim of the
imputed fraud q man OF unbounded
wealth; the fact that the sufferer was a
woman without can OF any protec
tor would greatly intensity the disgust
thereat of all honest men
I am counselor-at-law of more than
dty years standing. This, with my
long practice in the metropolis of
America, If there be no other contribu-
tory circumstance, renders my rela-
tons to society, to your association and
to.the Bar, somewhat conspicuous. And
certainly, if l am guilty of the profes
sinnal misconduct alleged, or any part
of it, or in any phase of the accusation,
I am q tit subject for whatever punish
ment your association or the cominu.
nifty can inflict. Forthis reason I have
c~onsidcrod it proper TO demand, al
your hands, an Investigation of this
whole subject, and to declare my readi-
ness and desire to appear al once before
my peers or before any other fair tri-
bunal and to repel the charges
made or insinuated.
The Bar Association, in considering
the memorial, expressed a determine
ton to ignore the charges as unde-
serving of consideration, but to this
course Mr.. O'Conor strongly objected.
At the Bar meeting, in enforcing his
demand, he said-and the reporter
represents q tone of sadness in the
voice of the great lawyer
~ don't wish it TO be understood
that / come here for the purpose of
~vindicating my reputation or of saving
It from attack. l have no object
whether my reputation be good or bad.
/ have no material interest in it. /
have pretty much passed all interest
OF human life. l am concerned in no
public matter that renders reputation a
thing of any consequence to me what
/ am concerned in no private
business which would make it desira-
BILE for me to extend or secure a gener-
ally favorable opinion. / have no
at all that those who actually
know me and have observed my
course OF life and conduct hardly de-
sire even SO much as a denial in refer
ence to any imputation upon my pro-
fessional or personal conduct. And
for the outside world, for those whom
i don't know, with whom l do not
come in contact, / have only to say
that as TO them, whilst / do not covet
their i'll opinion, l wish to protect my
self against any possible influence it
might have.
/ do not ask even my dear friends to
stand up and say one word for me. /
could stand against the wide world
upon that capital, and would rather
scorn the aid which would come up to
attempt to vindicate my character
against the crowd who know me not.
know well the feelings of the two
who have addressed yon.
They are Of the kindest possible de-
scription, but I can not for these rea-
sons concur with them. l have asked
for an investigation. That is not the
form Of my prayer at this time.
/ have to ask for an investigation, to
be sure, but l have asked that a COM
be appointed to consider this
and 10 act thereon promptly,
- it may seem to require. And my
reasons are for the honor of the pro-
which Injuries itself by per-
hitting charges Of this description to
be circulated unanswered against one
Of its members who happens to be
and well known. The
honor of the profession as q body is
assailed, and II is moi by sitting down
and saying: ave are satisfied with the
Integrity Of our member" that this So
ciety can protect the honor Of the pro-
against assault.
The committee appointed by the Bar
will shortly report and we have every
in the ~vindication of the
honor of . great and good man who,
n the course Of nature, must shortly
from his sphere of usefulness.
The Brazilian Emperor's suit con-
lists Of four servants. Five years ago
A. Maiastv travelled all over Europe