, 1879-02-02


The first witness called to the stand was Mr.
4. l.. Rose, au accountant, Who testified that
the request of the Committee OF the Bar Asso
Mr. Hibbard, Register in Bankruptcy, to asver
tain the amount Of fees and emolumcnts earned
or received BY him for the years ending June 80
1915, 1876, and 1877, in such cases onv as hae
been referred to him during those years.
Mr. Trumbull-1 do not see the legality o]
this. The jury did not pass upon it.
The Chairmau-We would like to know the
! facts in regard to that matter. We wish to know
precisely how the fact was, and whether it was
called to the attention Of the &7raud jury what
ever the fact Was.
The witness stated that he had with him a
copy Of the report which he made to the Com
mittce, which he had verified and found correct.
For the year ending June 80, 1875, Mr.. Hibbard
reported receipts for cases brought before him
during that year, $9,6S7.S7; number Of cases,
160; the deposit fees amounted to IS, OBJ o. and
Air. uibbard reported deposit fees to the amount
OF st, 49,. 50 for that year. Witness found the
number Of cases that we're actually referred to
Mr.. Hibbard during that year by reference to
bis docket. In ascertaining the amount Of fees
received or earned in these cases, witness took
the deposits in each case made with tho Register
By the Clerk of the District Court, when the
case was commenced and referred to him. For
the year ending June 30, 1876, be found 275 eases
he ascertained that the deposits amounted to
S14,294. 4.40; Mr. Hibbard reported S9,GS7.S7, U
discrepancy Of 81, ,606.53, his receipts being un-
dcrstatcd to that extent. This statement did
not include any fees earned or received by
Mir. Hibbard in any cases TINT had been referred
to him previous to that year. For the year end
ing June 30, 1877, there we're 254 cases, argre-
eating in receipts $13, 1896; Mr.. Hibbard re-
ported SO, 225.50, discrepancy OF $4,6l9.55.
This amount Of receipts included nothing for
fees or emoluments earned or received in eases
commenced previous to that year. Witness was
subpunacd aud testified before the United
States Grand Jury IN October last, and gave
substantially the same testimony as he now
gave to This Committee.
The Chatrmau-Was the District-Attorney
present when you testified before the Grand
Jury' W.. s,r. 1nax. n,..
The witness further said tll:lt the items that
be obtained from Mr.. Hibbard's fee-hooks, in
or received in these three Tears respectively, in
cluded no fees charged or received by Mr.
Hibbard for the proof of creditors' claims,
from the fact that Mr. Hibbard kept no
record Of such fees. Witness did not take such
fees into consideration because he could not
ascertain them. he asked Atr. Ribbard for in
formation on the subject OF such fees, Stating
that he would like tn get the amount OF fees for
proofs Of claims, and Mr.. Hibhard promised to |
make out list; but witness never could get it, |
because Mr.. Hibbard said be had not had time |
to do it. Witness obtained some information |
On the subject, however, from the Assgnees' |
accounts in some special cases; but none Of |
them entered into his computation, nor did be |
include ANYTHING for examination Of debtors OF
other parties, nor anything pnt what appeared |
IN the Registers Textbook. There was nothing /
IN the fee-hook for the taking OF testimony.
The computation included nothing for fees