The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1895-05-17
CHANDLER NOT GUILTY.
Attorney General Maynard Does No
Believe the Charges.

Attorney General Maynard Does No
Believe the Charges.
Early in January charges were filed
against A. l.. Chandler accusing him OF
malpractice, unprotessional conduct and at
tempting to prevent the attainment of JUS
tice In cases then in issue in the circui,
court. Five witnesses swore that he had
attempted to bride witnesses. Judge Wis
ner thought himself not qualified to hear
the case and referred it to the supreme
court which has now acquitted him, having
examined the testimony In full. The
opinion of the attorney general in the case
and the supreme court findings are given
below:
OPINION OF THE SUPREME COURT.
In the matter of Albert l.. Chandler,
| filed May Z, 1885. Per curtain. The re-
| spondent is an attorney licensed TO practice
In this court, and the present proceeding is
based upon information furnished to the
Judge OF the circuit court for the county OF
Shiawassee. The nature of the char
ges were such that the circuit Judge
could not have done less than to direct an
examination into the facts alleged. This
has been had. The case was referred to
circuit court commissioner of Shiawassee
county to take testimony, and on the COM
ing in of the report the attoyney-general
states that after an examination of the case
he Is satisfied that the charges are not sus-
tanned by the proofs.
We have, however, deemed 1t due both
to the court and to Mr.. Chandler that the
testimony should be examined by the court.
The reputation of an attorney for integrity
and fidelity to the interests of his client con-
stitutes his capital in business, and where
such reputation Is assaulted, it Is his right
that an authoritative determination of the
question Of fact be made by the court
After careful examination Of the testi-
mony we are convinced that Mr.. Chandler
should be fully acquitted of the charges.
The proceedings will be dismissed.
THE REPORT.
1 respectfully report to the court that l
have made careful examination of the
testimony so returned. 1 heard most of
the testimony given by the witnesses who
were named in the Petition and who were
called to sustain the charges brought against
Mr.. Chandler. l respectfully give 1t as my
opinion that because the witnesses them
selves were lacking in character and their
no proof whatever has been given to sus-
tain the charges brought against Mr..
Chandler.
l cannot consistently with proper re-
spect for myself and the duties of my office
stand before the court and maintain that
any of the charges brought against Mr.
Chandler have been proven by the teSt-
mony in the case. l think, on the con-
trary, that there is an utter lacking of
proof.
l have conferred with the prosecuting
attorney, and have asked him If he so de-
sired-as he was entirely familiar with all
the witnesses and all the facts and circum-
stances of the case, and all the testimony
offered-to present the case to the court,
but he has declined to do so on the ground
that he cOncurred with me in the conclu-
sion that the charges were not sustained.
have also requested said prosecuting at
torney to communicate with Judge Wisner
upon whose Petition these proceedings
were commenced and to inform him of the
fact that the testimony had all been written
out and is now on file In the Office of the
clerk of this court, and that, in case he de-
sired so to do, he could have an opportunity
to appear before the court and make the
claim, IL he felt he could do so, that the
charges were sustained by the proof offered
in the case. This information was given
to Judge Wisner by Mr.. Watson, the pros
ecuting attorney, and he (Mr. Watson) has
informed me that the judge does not desire
to do any thing more in the case.
The testimony is on file and can be ex-
amined by this court. L know that justice
demands that the proceedings should be
disposed Of in one way or another as soon
as possibe; that the charges are of a serious
nature, and seriously affect the integrity
and honor of lawyer of this state and a
member of our bar. And, il such charges
are not sustained by testimony of credit
able character, the respondent should be
relieved from the burden as soon as posi-
BILE. l am of the opinion, as have stated,
that no proof worthy to be called proof has
been offered in the case; that no one of the
charges against Mr.. Chandler has been sus-
tanned, and that an order to that effect
should at once be entered.
FRED A. MAYNARD,
Attorney General.
Dated, April 30, 1895.