Los Angeles herald., 1892-08-30
A SENSATIONAL AFFAIR.
THE q. s. COURT WITHOUT A MAS
TER IN CHANCERY.
Charles L. Batcheller Steps Down and
Out-statements About the Causes
Which Lead to this A ction.
Several Candidates.

A sensational resignation took place
yesterday morning before Judge Rose,
United States district judge. Shortly
after court convened Charles L. Batch
eller, master in chancery and examiner,
addressed the court, and saying that
some persons had presented complaints
that he had made overcharges for
services performed in his official capacity,
he rendered his resignation, although
he did not know whether it would be
accepted at once, owing to pending
business. Judge Ross briefly replied
that the resignation had been accepted
and was on file. This closed the most
sensational episode, although it seemed
the most commonplace, that has occur
red in the federal court in this district
since ite organization in 1886. g.
Mr.. Batcheller went into the Office
not long after the court was organized,
being the original appointee, and has
continued in it up to the present time.
The position of master in chancery ana
examiner is an exceedingly lucrative
one, although but few persons are aware
of the fact The master has the exami
nation of witnesses in the big equity
cases, and gives his conclusions of law
upon the testimony, to be reviewed by
the Judge. He receives fees for his SER
vices, the taking and transcribing of
testimony, and it is an open secret, al
though Judge Ross declines to talk
about the matter, that by the system
pursued by Mr.. Batcheller he is thought
to have made the Office worth from $1,000
to 900 per annum. 1t is position
held during good behavior, and is vir-
tually life place for any one who con-
ducts it properly.
There are some very queer stories
aioat relative to the true inwardness of
Mr. Bstcheller's resignation. 1t is
claimed that about a month ago COM
plants were made to Judge Ross about
tie way the master in chancery was
conducting his office, and an investiga-
tion was instituted, which resulted in
Mr.. Batcheller having stormy inter
view with the Judge, and that the
former betrayed great emotion at the
statements made about him. ~f
The complaints, in brief-for, accord
ing to the HERALD's informants, the
system has extended over period OF
several years past--are that Mr.. Batch
eller has been in the habit of pfotarct-
! ing the examination OF witnesses by
irrelevant questions, for the sake OF
making larger bill OF expenses, and
charging $40 per day for stenographic
| reporter, while the stenographer only
received half that amount, and in vari-
GUS ways so handling the office as to in
crease the costs greatly over what they
| should be.
The complaints, without going into
greater detail at this time, are that Mr..
Batcheller has allowed no grass to grow
under his feet, and has worked the Office
for all that it is worth.
1t is understood that Mr.. Batcheller
was allowed to resign and no formal al
legations, were lodged against him. SO
that it is impossible to give detailed
statement of all the various cases in
which he is said to have made expense
charges that were exorbitant.
There are already several candidates
for the position made vacant by the
abrupt retirement of the master in
chancery, among them. it is understood,
being, @. W. Pendleton, II. S. Rollins
and s. O. Houghton, jr. The appoint.
ment will be by United States Circuit
Judge McKenna, who was warm
friend of Mr.. Batcheler's father.