The morning call., 1892-12-15

Judge Coffey-I was not so successful in
unS"tting you, WAS L?
The witness turned two degrees paler and
said he had acted under the advice Of his
attorneys.
Judge Coffey-Do YOU remember having a
conversation with me?
Mr.. COrbett looked up at the ceiling and
Judge Cnffey arose aud put his hands on the
back OF bis chair. Nit CoIbett couldn't re-
member any former conversation with the
Judge.
Judge Coffey-Do you not remember COM
Ing 10 me and asking me what the attorneys
we're TO 10 for their fee and my telling you
they might fish for fee?
Dir. Corbeit shook his head.
what? You don. remember"
Bat I'm under oath, your Honor"
do yen tell more truth under oath then
when not under it?"
MI. Corbett began TO shift about very un-
easily under this method of examination,
ana finally admitted that he had made a
contract IN writing to paw Sullivan and
hOwalsky 90 per cent of the value OF the
estate recovered bv the LAWYERS.
Judge C0ffey-Now, Mr.. Sullivan / would
be pleased ~ hear from yon."
Mr.. Sullivan told how he thought the ar.
rangement was all right. He had entered
into an agreement with the guardian. the
mother and the boy for contingent fee.
Judge Coffey-With the boy?
MI Sulliyan-l bound him so far as he
was capable of being bound. / bound him
morally.
Judge Cotfey-Oh. you bound him morally.
MIR Sullivan said he believed that Mr..
howalSky had the necessary orders Of
court, and so far as lie was concerned his
acton was simply an lnadvertence. Neither
he nor kowalsky expected to meet with any
dliheulty IN getting an order from the court.
Judge COffey-You. MIR. Sullivan, know
very we'll the rule Of this court-that no
money shall be paid out except by its order.
Mt. Sullivan said he had paid $500 to
Mrs. Ransome, the boys mother, and 5000
TO Mrs. McGregor, his grandmother When
ne took charge OF the case he advanced
$500 out Of his own pocket for expenses.
Lawyers would agree with him that his
proposition was very fair one.
Judge COffey-Do you know of a single
instance where an attorney received any
such amount?
Mr.. Sullivan could net recall any psriieu-
lar instance.
Judge Coffey-Do you not know very
well, Mr.. Sullivan, that the law does not
allow contingent contracts in probate pro-
ceedings?
Mr.. Sullivan said he was acting under his
eXpectatiOns.
Judge Ceffey-Great expectations?
MT Sul'lyan-l didn't think they were
very great and none Of the lawyers In
town will say so.
Judge Coffey-None of the LAWYERS in
court.
Mr.. Sulllvan-I am satisfied this court
Will do me justice and will ratify this con-
tract.
Judge Coffey-You did know, then, that
this contract had no validity?
Mr.. Sulliyan-As much as the parties con-
cerned were capab of giving it.
LAWYER W. u. Cousins, who had rem
dered some legal service for the grand
mother and charged accordingly, next took
"a Ct
stricken condition OF Mrs. MeGrrgor and
Mrs. Rams me. he said thew were not in a
proper DabitatiOn. Their miserable howell
was almost surrounded by water, and was
only approarhahle on a raft.
Judge Coffry-Did YOU visit them on n
raft or swim 10 them?
Mr.. Cousins could not remember, but he
got there and paid them the money given TO
him for them by Mr.. Corbett
Judge Cofiev said h. would have Judge
Levy ana Mr. Napthaly on the witness
stand before he would make any order He
lntimaied that Dir. C0rhett might soon find
some other employment Than acting as
guard liam OF the boy Henry Macdonald. He
had shown himself TO be utterly incom-
petent and entirely destitute of business
capacity. lie had paid no attention to the
boy, as was his duty, and lie had also
praciiced detention on the court
The Judge directed that he file a sworn
statement OF his accounts without further
uelay. lie was growing weary of the antics
OF Jack-legged lawyers, and he would probe
This particular transaction 10 the bottom.
Before adjourning the case until IL o'clock
TO-DAY he told the boy Henry that he de-
sired to see him IN his chambers. and that
he did not want him Swallowed
Henry Macdonald, who is 10 years of age.
sat in front If his mother, Mrs Ransome
Claude Lee. during the investigation, and
when the judge left the bench followed
him into his chambers, where he received
some wholesome advice regarding his legal
~