The morning call., 1892-12-17
THE COFFEY MILL.
Where Rapacious Lawyers
Are PulveriZed.
SOME EXoRBITANT CHARGES.
Ex-Chief of Police Burke Appointed
Guardian of Henry Macdonald.
BodfisIi and Mckinne.

Judge Coffey held another seance yester-
day at the expense OF attorneys who bad
incurred his diSpleasure because of their
methods IN phleb0tomizing clients In pro-
bate proceedings.
The courtroom was thronged during the
day with lawyers and others drawn thither
In pursuit of relief. reproof or entertain
ment When the gas WAS lighted several
attorneys. who had bided their time all day
to obtain hearing, had to depart disap-
pointed because they had not been heard.
A new guardian was appointed for Henry
Macdonald in the person of Martin j. Burke
of Madison & Burke, and formerly Chief
of Police of this city. Judge Coffey re-
marked that that kind Of man was needed
TO take care of boy like Henry. he was
So years of age. and. besides having brought
up children of his Own, had already acted
as a guardian for boys. When MIR. Burke
accepted the trust, he informed the Judge
that during the lifetime of c. Z. S. Mac
donald he had charge of his real estate and
affairs Judge Coffey remarked: Il had
forgotten that. 1t is a felcitous coincidence
that you are now his sons guardian"
Before the boy had told the Judge he
would be satisfied with any action he should
take in his behalf he was asked whether
anybody had talked to him about the case
since he left the stand on Thursday. Henry
replied that LAWYER w. III. Cousins had
spoken to him, telling him that he knew the
court would not appoint Billy Jordan as his
guardian and had also asked him what had
occurred between Judge Coffey and him in
his chambers. "Did he ask any other I'M
pertinent questions? inquired the Judge.
mo, sir" was the reply.
MIR. Corbetts report as administrator,
with his handbook and vouchers. was
passed up to the bench later in the day.
Judge Coffey, upon looking at the bank
book, found that on that day for the first
time was written in red ink on the cover,
the words, Subject to the order of court"
de became very indignant, and asked why
ii had not been written at the time the order
was made. The circumstance that money
had been drawn out on the very day that he
had forbidden Mr.. Corbett paying money
out on account of the estate without an
order Of the court made him still angrier.
He directed all the parties to be in court to-
day, by which time Mr. Burke's attorney
would have had an opportunity to examine
Mr.. CoIbetts accounts.
Attorney w. Ii. BOdfish was severely re-
buked by Judge Coffey for trying to collect
too large fee from q widow named Mrs.
Bsne.
An order had been made granting her an
allowance from her husbands estate OF
5000 for her support computed at the rate
Of $40 month. The poor woman informed
the court that Bodfsh wanted her TO pay
him $500, or half the amount
What does he want?" said the Judge.
Half the estate or half the fee?"
Mrs. Bane said ne wanted half her allow
ance.
'Is be member of your family ?" asked
Judge Coffey.
BOdfish said he had q contracr with Mrs.
BRne and relied on her paying him withou.
coming into court.
What kind of contract-dual or du-
pleX?" asked the Judge
''She agreed TO pay me one-half after de-
Quoting the expenses of administration"
We'll. the contract is off" said Judge
Cofey. casting blighting look at the as
toulshed attorney, who was further told TO
bring in his bill and il would be allowed on
the basis OF what his services were worth.
The next expose of legal talent was made
when the estate of John darcy was called
Attorney Charles s. Cushing objected to the
settlement OF her account as Administrative
because it failed 10 show that $3.50 had been
paid 10 her counsel, Horace w. Philbrook.
Mrs. d. Arcy said she had settled with her
attorney because she had been advised by
Majsr McKinne that If the court had fix ed
the fee an enormous compensation would be
allowed. The major, she said. bad told her
OF a case wherein lie had been allowed a fee
OF $500 out of an estate worth only $500.
which was more than he would have
charged.
Judge Coffey drew a long breath and then
said. Well, that's the first time ever heard
Of Mckinne getting more than he thought
he was entitled TO"
During recess Judge Coffey had the
records examined bearing upon every case
In which Mckinne had been paid fee for
services rendered in his court and McKinne
was on the stand the entire afternoon ex.
planning that he had never made such a
statement to Mrs. Darcy and that she had
misunderstood what he had told her.
When the account was finally passed I'D
Judge COffey looked at the paper and then
at his watch. From the paper he discovered
that the Philbrook fee was not. Que Of the
items and from his watch that three hours
had been consumed in the consideration of
nothing that was before the court. 1t was
at this iuncture that the gas was lighted
and the other attorneys in waiting gathered
up their papers and fed.