New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-21
JOHNSTON IN HIS OWN DEFENCE.
HE FILES HIS ANSWER TO THE CHARGES
MADE AGAINST HIM.

II. Digby Johnston. the lawyer for whose dis
barment an application was made to the Appellate
Division of the Supreme Court on Tuesday yes
terday afternoon filed with the court his answer
to the charges against him which were published
In yesterday mornings Tribune The charges arc
made by Hugh Coleman and Hugh o. Pentecost
practising lawyers in New-York City. They alege
that he improperly admitted to the bar on
false afidavits. Mr.. Johnstons answer to the
charges is In the shape of long affidavit In
which he tells the story Of his life He says that
he Is sixty years old, and that he was born In
England. He went to college there and began the
practice OF law
He says that In 1894 there a FIRE In his apart
ments and all his papers, including the work Of his
life. destroyed. The papers included also his
diplomas and his certificates from various places
He says that the statement In the papers that he
concealed the place Of his residence in this city
is mistake He stated that he lived at No. %
Orange-st.. and he believed that that was the num-
Der. 1t should have been No. So. but the houses
have their front doors close together. and he made
the mistake. He denies statements that he had
trouble with his wife, and hopes the court will
disregard the letter purporting to come from Dean
Hart. in Denver. He says that when he left the
Dean they were the best or friends and ne mas
no reason to suppose that they are anything else
Coming down to the occurrences in New-York. he
says that he was advised by one OF the judges In
the General Sessions to take up the practice OF
criminal law and he did so. He soon discovered
state Of things among the lawyers that was appall-
ing. The scramble for clients was disgraceful He
deposes that one man for whom he appeared
showed him the cards Of seventeen lawyers who
had been to him and asked him to allow them TO
act as his counsel He says that in December
Recorder Golf made a special charge to the Grand
Jury about the matter. directing II to investi-
gate thoroughly. He asked by the Assist
ant Dlstrict-Attorney who had the matter in charge
to appear before the Grand Jury and tell all that
he knew. and he did He also subpoenaed
to appear. He said that he gave testimony In the
Of one who was charged with receiving
IS from two for defending them and who
then Immediately deserted them. On investigate ton
the fact disclosed that this man not a
lawyer. and he indicted for larceny. Then
Mr.. Johnston summoned to give testimony In
the general examination. He describes alleged
conversation with Hugh O. Pentecost and another
with Hugh Coleman Mr.. Johnston says that the
attack against him and his character is made
wholly out Of revenge and so that the newspapers
would publish something that would hurt him; He
says that when ne first came to New York he
went to Mr. Pentecost. as he had known OF bis
brother. He told Pentecost the history OF his life.
and he believes that the lawyer used the facts
which he thus obtained to get the information
which he has laid before the court. and which s
wholly false.
The Appellate Court has the question Of Mr..
Johnstons dsbarment under Amusement.