The San Francisco call., 1896-05-08
Three Superior Judges Called 10
Testify About Frank
Schilling.
ARE QUESTIONING HIS SANITY.
Judge Coffey Makes Some Caustic Re.
marks to the Erratic
Attorney.

Frank Schilling, who has been prepar-
ing contempt proceedings for himself by
writing contemptuous letters to and about
Judge Coffey, was before Judge Slack yes
terday on an order to show cause why he
should not be removed from the guard
ianship of Peter Owen Matthews, over
which position the whole fight has been
going on.
Francis Pope, who asked for the cita-
tion and who was appointed attorney to
assist the guardian, was present, and he
asked that Judge Coffey and Judge Heb
bard be called. Mr.. Schilling, not to be
outdone, asked that Judge Hunt be asked
to attend. Messengers were sent for their
honors, and pretty soon the Judges ar
rived.
Judge Coffey was first examined. He
told how he had appointed Mr.. Schilling
as guardian of the estate of Peter Owen
Matthews, an incompetent, on the request
of Matthews him mself. Judge Coffey was
then asked what he thought of Schilling
as a guardian, and he said he thought
him eccentric-very eccentric Schilllng's
presence in the courtroom was disgusting
| to him, but he had always tried to treat
him properly.
what do you think of his knowledge OF
| the law2' asked Pope.
81 do not like to lmpugn the judgment
| of the Supreme Court" answered the
| Judge. HE was passed there. But | will
say ne often, before me, greatly embar-
rassed the actions of the court"
After more questions as to Schil.ing's
method of conducting case, Judge Cotfey
was asked what he thought of the attor-
neys sanity. He said he did not know.
He had not examined an insane person for
years, and so was hardly able to Judge.
He thought Schilling eccentric, however,
and would not reappoint him as guardian
of any estate.
Mr.. Schilling then took hand and COM
menced to cross-examine.
'Do you base your opinion of me on
that Ietter?' he began.
Partly" replied the Judge. "That let
ter was reprehensible effusion, grossly
personal and elaborately false"
Ibid you not break your promise to me
as your brother attorney in not being in
Judge Hebbard's court, where you said
you would meet me?"
You are not my brother attorney in the
first place. said his Honor quietly. IT
was in Judge Hebbard's court waiting
fully ten minutes, and then l had to go
back to attend to my own business"
"Could you tell what ten minutes it was
ten minutes to 2-2o' 'clock?"
II have made my statement, Mr.. Schil-
ling"
81 have made my statement, Mr.. Schil-
ling" repeated the Judge with some en-
phasis, "and if you say anything else it is
false II you are sworn and then make
any different statement you will be COM
mitting perjury"
Schilling made a short apology for
writing the letter which caused all the
trouble, and Judge Coffey gave place to
Judge Hebbard.
II Judge Hebbard was called as an expert
on insanity, for every second month the
insanity commission meets before him.
Judge Hebbard described Schilling's ac-
tions while trying case before him. He
said Schilling was excited. Judge Hunt
was also called in for an opinion by Schill-
ing and then followed a number of the
attorney s friends.
The case was taken under advisement.