The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-12-17
ASKING FOR THOSE BOOKS.
4 CURIOUS SCENE IN CLERK GUMBLE-
TONS OFFICE.
The Bar AssociatIon's Committee ing
Formal Demands, to witch Deputy Clerk
McLauChlia Returns Guarded Answers.

Formal Demands, to which Deputy Clerk
McLauChlia Returns Guarded Answers.
BY order OF Judge Davis County Clork
Gumblcton was to have appeared In the Su-
premo Court Chambers yesterday afternoon to
show cause why he should not exhibit certain
books Of accounts in his Office to the Committee
appointed by the Bar Association TO investigate
the charge that illegal fees have been cxacted.
In tho morning. however. ]. Adrance Bush
tho attorney OF record Of tho Committee was
served with an order granted by Judge Davis
postponing the hearing until tomorrow after
noon. The second order was given on the
petition OF =. II. Meade. who averred that no
was associated with William A. Beach as Mr.
Gumblcton's counsel, and that Mr.. Beach. who
had gone out OF the city. was not expected to ro-
turn until tomorrow. He would require time
TO make an examination Of tho case.
The Committee. followed by a stonographor
entered the County Clerks oflco in the after
noon, having resolved to make a second formal
demand to SEQ the books. Artemas II. Holmes
Henry +. Knox. George Dc Forest Lord. Charles
+. MacLean. andJ. Adriance Bush com pose tho
Committee They were told. on inquiry. that
Mr.. Gumbleton was not In the office. The Com
mittee asked Deputy County Clerk McLaugh-
lin TO permit them to examine the books. lie
replied that the matter was now in the hands OF
Mr.. Gumbleton's lawyers. He then wrote a
note to Mr.. Meade. Tho Committee remained
in his Office until tho answer arrived. After
he had read 1t. Mr. Bush asked him II he was
ready 10 give an answer. He repeated tho
statement that tho affair was now in tho hands
Of Mr. Gumbleton's lawyers Mr.. Lord then
read to Mr.. Mclaughlin the following de-
mands:
We hereby demand leave to inspect and nm opportu.
Hty % examine such book Or books as are kept BY The
entries Of all or any fees omoluments or pctquistcs
Sy hin of HI. I Ia S 3 w6
or rrsns TO- meehsnss ens e said city and county IN
We hereby demand leave To- inspect and opportunity
of the CITY aud County OF New York cantsinnF The ac
count 81 an lees perqm,iics. and enoumcnts actually
all any services done by him or hi. assistants in his Or
Law. Of isiT chapter asa section e P'o''''O"' u
Somewhat similar demands had been made 10
the Deputy County Clerk on Saturday. and no
had given. "a one OF the reas ons for refusing TO
comply with them. that the books were in use.
Tho Committee had. therefore. limited their re-
quest 10y demanding TO SEQ the records Of those
fees only that had been received during tho
month of November, Aner, Mr.. Lord had
his desk and slowly wrote and aiterward read
the following question:
:" Do tho i've gentlemen. Mcssrs. Lord Knox.
MacLean. Bush and Holmes. now present. aB-
ply for tho inspection Of tho books mentioned
In their demand. as persons or individuals. or
y" In both capacities" Mr. Lord replied and
the stenographer. who had noted tho question.
also lOttcd down the answer.
Again Mr.. MCLAUGHLIN wrote: " In your ca
pacity as persons or individuals | should think
you have right. under proper legal restric-
tons to examine said records. As n Committee
81 tho Bar Association my opinion is that your
right Is predetermined; but the County Clerk has
directed me 10 say that he has placed the matter
in the hands OF his lawyers and that he must
follow Their directions.
Mr. Lord then said the stenographer care
fully noting his words: We request To 20 on
with tho Inspection OF tho books referred Co.
which YOU say We are entitled in your opinion
10 inspect. under legal restrictions, leaving you
TO determine in which capacity we are entitled
to such examinations.
|" Ny former reply Mr. Mclaughlin wrote. is
an answer to Mr.. Lords demand"
IS Tho only one you will give - Mr.. Lord
asked. when Mr.. Mclaughlin had read his
p" And that IL the answer" Mr.. Mclaughlin
continued. adding 10 the sentence he had Just
written. that am authorized to give tho by
County Ciork. Mr.. Gumbleton.'
MIR. Lord said that the Committee had waited
more than bali an hour Tor an Opportunity to
ucd. To- call attention 10 the fact that you have
| not yet furnished tho books We have asked for.
Unless YOU express willingness To do So We
shaii consider mat YOU decline 10 furnish these
| books Tor examination"
Mr. n. LauEhlin asain took hts pen In hand
and added to his manuscript rs follows: |
| now request said gentlemen TO confer with
| Messrs, William A. Beach aud Edwin H. Meade.
counsel 81 the County Clerk in the matter in
When he had read this to tho Committee he
said In addition; As lar as my power goes, l
| have given YOU full answer
Mr. Lord took a letter out OF his pocket and
| hnndedtt 20 Mr.; Mclaughlin. II was on that
! Mr.. GumOleton had written 10 tn Committee ut
| o'clock on saturday. in nccordance with a
| promise he Ind made on Friday. II was not
! received until Saturday evening. The Commit
| tae. not having received this promised letter 90
| explanation, had on saturday aftcrOOn, got the
! order requiring Mr. Gumhleton 10 show cause.
Il suppose" Mr.. Lord said, you are ac-
| quainted with the contents OF this letter"
| Mr.. VI Laughlin read the letter slowly and
then said: This letter In itself would have been
| sum rient warrant for mo to furnish you the
| books mentioned II you had brought i 10 me 81
have brought i 20 You now" Mr.. Lord
| said. LIT us see the booAs.'
| 9" No, was the reply because something u d
| happened hetween the time Of writing this letter
| anu now. Tho matter has gone into the hands
| OF counsel. 1T you should bring me such "A Lett
| ter a. this. written by MI. Gumbleton since the
new turn the matter has taken. should show
| you the books"
The Committee then retired. Lawyers remark
| that II Judge Davis should grant an ordcr 'om-
| polling Mr.. Gumbleton % exhibit his bo...- 10
| the COMMITTEES. Mr.. Gumbleton would. as County
| Clerk. have 10 sign IL.