The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1898-01-26
SUSPENDED NINE MONTHS.
Judge Reed Filed His Decision in the
Fairman Disbarment Case Last Friday.

Fairman Dsbarment Case Last Friday.
At the February term OF court, 1897,
a petition was presented TO the Court
to disbar VIM. Fairman, ESQ.,, of PUNK
sutawney, from practicing before the
Jefferson county bar. The case was
continued several times. All the evil
dence was finally given and Judge Reed
heard the arguments in the case a
couple Of weeks ago. Last Friday he
handed down his decision, which is a
lengthy document. The Judge care
fully considered the case, in which were
fifteen specifications. before he reached
the lastly which is as follows:
"The respondent is charged with ex-
hibiting dishonest character in his
professional intercourse. and with hav-
ing bad reputation for honesty. There
were large nimher Of witnesses called
pro and con. But IL Is evident that the
respondent, by his habit Of unnecessarily
abusing and impugning the good name
of Others has called down upon his own
head many OF the remarks derogatory
to his reputation for honesty. The
testimony is neither so clear, nor satis-
factory on these charges that we would
feel justified In meeting out condign
punishment on account Of them.
To thoroughly understand this case a
knowledge of it's environment, and of
the respondent is necessary: The re-
spondent has been member of this
bar for more than twenty years, and en-
joys very large criminal practice.
He is now past sixty-one years of age,
and is dependent on his professional in
come for livelihood. He has long had
the distinction Of being an unique char
acter in the profession. His profession
al career, however, has been marked by a
course of conduct which cannot in its
entirety be commended as worthy of
emulation, but his kindiness of heart,
his genial disposition, and his forgiving
nature atone in some degree, at least,
for many lesser offenses and improprie-
ties which attach to his conduct.
The only ofrense charged, as embodied
in this complaint, which has been com
mitted since we were called to preside
over the courts of this county, relates
to the case OF the Commonwealth VS..
NJ. j. Happeny, ct. al. In this transac-
tiOn the respondent profited nothing by
his attempted settlement of the case, and
the defendants, on their own confession,
were convicted and punished. The mon
ey paid or deposited by them to
secure settlement have been re-
turned to them. But it cannot be gain
said that the respondents conduct in
connection with this case tended to
lessen the respect and weaken the conf
dence of the public in the administers
tion Of justice. Neither can we permit
to pass unnoticed and unpunished the
attempt to change the answer filed in
this case without leave Of the court.
The costs OF this proceeding have
been considerably increased by the max.
ing of stale charges, and charges which
the testimony fails to sustain and we,
therefore, think that u portion OF the
costs should be placed upon the petition
er.
And now, January 2lst, 1893, it is or
dered and directed that the respondent
VIM. M. Fairman, be, and he is hereby
suspended from his Office of attorney
for period OF nine months from the
date OF this order: and it is further or
dered and directed that the said re-
spondent pay three-fourths Of the costs
Of this proceeding, and that the petition
er, w. G. Shaffer, pay the other one
fourth OF said costs.'