The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-03-11
Written for the True Northerner:

written Tor the True Northerner.
WASHINGTON, March 9Th, 1881.
Very few. perhaps, outside OF the profession
have any idea OF the large fees that some OF the
prominent lawyers receive who practice before
the Supreme Court of the United States. 1t is
not always an easy matter to ascertain what a
lawyer makes out OF a case, But short time
ago Senator Conk!ins appeared before the
Court and argued point IN the A. T. Stewart
will case, which had come up on appeal from a
New York court, for which he received $4,000.
Senator Edmunds, OF Vermont, who ranks
among the very best lawyers Of the country.
recently argued Florida railroad case before
the Court. He was opposed by seven eminent
lawyers, among whom were the late Senator
Carpenter and Hon. Wayne McVeigh. The
Court asked Mr.. Edmunds il he was going to
try the case alone. He remarked that he
thought he was able for it, and the result proved
that he was correct. He was successful, for
which he received very large fee. The actual
amount is not known, but it is said to be in the
thousands. Senator Edmunds is worth about
s300000 which he has made out Of his law
practice. Hon. Jere Black is another prominent
Supreme Court lawyer. He is one, and perhaps
the only one, that dares shake his hand under
the nose OF the Supreme Judges and tell them
just what he thinks. When he gets warmed up
to his subject he will pound bis fist down on
the rail surrounding the judges in very en-
phatic manner. Judge Black is very success
fu' lawyer, and has made a handsome fortune
out Of his profession. He was one OF Mr.. Til
denis lawyers that argued his case before the
Electoral Commission. He has undoubtedly
seen his palmy DAYS, and is rapidly passing into
the sere and yellow leaf" The late Senator
Carpenter was also avery prominent and high
priced lawyer. He has received numerous $5,-
900 and $4,000 fees. He distinguished him
self first in 1868 before the United States Su-
preme Court in the celebrated McArdle CASE
He alse distinguished himself in the Belknap
impeachment case before the Senate. The
House Of Il representatives has just voted
Frank Hurd, Member OF Congress from Ohio,
e3, 900 for defending the Sergeant at Arms Of
the House IN case before the Supreme Court
It appears that one II. Kilburn was imprisoned
for six weeks in the District jail for refusing
to detail the private business OF his firm to an
inquisitoriAl body OF the House. The Supreme
Court will deliver the opinion IN the case this
week. Senator David DAVIS, OF Illinois, tried
a law suit in Chicago during its early days. He
won the case, but his client had no money with
which to pay the fee he had 3 number OF
town-lots, however, and offered one to the SEN
ator for his service. Seeing that there was no
chance OF getting anything better out OF the
case, the lot was reluctantly accepted. The
market value OF the land was then less than
800; it 10 now worth q fortune, and is that
vacant lot or square that lies between the Mich
igan Southern depot and Grand Pacific Hotel,
and the Senator still owns it, Among those
from the South who are deserving Of mention
a. legal luminaries are Senators John Z. Nor
ton, OF Alabama, and Ben. Hill, Of Georgia
The latter, 1t is said on good authority, made
100000 ont OF . single case. There were four
lawyers who recently received $4,000 each out
OF case against the Union Pacific railway
Such is limited glance At some of the princey
fees received by our eminent lawyers.