The times., 1899-10-01
FORTUNES In LEGAL Fees
Magnificent Rewards Received for
Pleading Big Cases.
some Famous TrfnIs which Brought
Prfncefy Compensation to the
Counselors EmPfoyed-Washfn
Members of the Bar Not Far he
hind Those OF other Big Cities.

A great deal has been printed in the
newspapers and magazines concerning the
aecumuIators Of wealth, and much space
has been devoted 10 informing the reading
public OF the ways and means employed TO
gather fortunes in business and pro.es-
sional work. Interesting tales have been
told OF how miners have struck it lucky,
and. following the vein OF fortune, piled
millions 0p0n millions The names OF rail-
road nagnates and h2Rkers, on account OF
their fabulous wealth. have become by
words IL the mouths OF people OF every
condition. Even when s stock broker
makes 9 big deal resulting in immense
gain OF account of the fUctuating market,
or some brash speculator makes corner
in some staple product and wins, his name
is heraiaed from one side OF the continent
to the other and even beyond.
There is. however, another class of max
ers OF millions concerning which little is
heard, but which goes on from year to
year piling the dollars upon each other
These are the lawyers, who, as a class, are
said TO be great takers. but, be i known,
they seldom. II ever, talk of what they
earn. And In this connection 1t may be
stated with safety that contrary to the
general belief that they make their living
by talking IN most cases where unusually
large fees are received, there has been lit
tie or no talking done for the compensa-
Iion.
Another thing which should be taken into
consideration. in comparing the accumula-
tion Of wealth by lawyers 10 the fortunes
OF ether classes Of money multipliers. is
that, as rule, the others risk heavily TO
gain in their different kinds Of business.
The lawyer. or the other hand, has little
capital invested except his brain, and Often
for an hours work OF a simple expression
OF opinion. earns what even in these days
might rightly be considered a fortune Nor
is this fortune making in a minute restrict
ed to any one class Of practitioners, for
when it comes 10 & recognition Of ability,
the equity lawyer, counsel for corporations,
and the practitioner IN the criminal courts
ali share alike, the magnitude Of the fee
being limited only by the size OF the eli
ent's purse
Legal Fees i'm Washington.
In the matter Of attorneys fees, Wash
ington, making allowance for its smaller
population, compares fayorably with all Of
the large cities in the country The larg-
est fee ever pald TO a single law firm,
il is said, was that received by Rob-
inEon, Bright & Scribner, Of New York, for
the work in connection with the franchise
OF the Broadway Railroad. The sum paid
Is said TO have been 5000. 900, which, If di-
divided equally among the members of the
firm, would net them $l00. 600 each. While
z great many members Of the legal pro-
fesEion maintain that the promoting OF
syndicates is much more lucrative than
any other branch OF practice, still il can
not be denied that the patent attorneys
come IN for their full share OF fees for
services rendered. The late ]. ]. Starrow,
OF Boston, who was the counsel for the
American Bell Telephone Company, receiv-
ed an annual retainer Of S500 and an
additional fee OF $500 per day whenever
he was engaged il the courts upon business
connected with the company.
The general counsel OF the Edison Elec-
trical Company is also said 10 receive an
annual salary OF $50, 600 There is another
patent attorney in New York who receives
annual retainers amounting TO $4,000
and who. in addition, is allowed $3.50
per day and expenses whenever attending
20 business for any one OF his clients As
q general thing. there is no agreement as
TO any particular fee TO be paid a patent
attorney when engaged by client, the
custom being 10 pay from $50 TO s10o per
Day for 7his services and q percentage on
the value OF the patent secured.
The late Anthony Pollok is said to have
aid the foundation OF his magnificent for
1une by his connection with the original
Bell Telephone cases. among the crimi-
nal lawyers OF note in the country was
francis l.. Wellman, who gained great no
toriety by his conviction OF Carlisle Har-
ms Dr. Buchanan and DR.. Miles who were
charged with murders by poisoning in New
York. Mr.. Wellman also gained consid-
cradle reputation for defending the Hyams
twins in Canada. charged with murder,
both OF whom were acquitted
Elihu Root, the present Secretary Of War,
was also connected, while practising at
sorney in New York, with some very i'm
portant cases He was the author Of the
so-called Astoria Gas Grab BILL" for
which he is said 10 have received $50, GOO.
James c. Carter, who appeared before the
Paris tribunal in connection with the seal
controversy, is said TO have been paid $780,
600 for his services, and Austin c. Fox.
and Daniel Lawrence are also said 10 have
received $50. coo each for legal services.
The star Route Cases.
In Washington, while the fees do no;
sznge SO high as in New York and perhaps
some other large cities, the earnings oi
.ocsl attorneys il many instances compare
iayorably with those obtained by lawyers
elsewhere One OF the most famous trials
Ia the District courts, was that OF the Stal
Route cases. Many eminent lawyers were
engaged among whom may be mentioned
the late Robert G. IngersoIl, Jere NJ. vii.
son, G. G. Cole, at present one Of the asso
ciate justices In the Supreme Court of thu
District Attorney General Brewster, Rich
ard T. Merrick. George Bliss, OF New York
Ind ". W. Kerr. OF Philadelphia
ii is said that Ingersoil received a fe
of S25. .00t, and that the other attorneys 70
the defendants received amounts nearly q
.arge Another famous case tried in tn
District courts was that Of Sam Stron
against the District Of Columbia for tn
collection of $500, goo alleged TO have bse
due on a contract for building the norther
sewer from Sixteenth Street 10 the East
srn Branch. He was represented by Ben
lamin r. Butler. who was 10 have receive
s75. Gee, and the District by Henry E. Da
Wis who has just resigned the Office c
United States Attorney for the District {
Columbia.
Three hearings OF the case were had tn
Enal amount allowed being ST 000, which
il is said Mr. Butler held as part Of hi
fee. The firm Of Edward & Barnard ar
also said 70 have realized large amount i
the settlement Of the estate of Samuel Nor
rnent who was President OF the Centra
National Bank The personal property c
the estate was estimated al about $3.50 00f
and the fee allowed in such cases varie
from I'VE TO ten per cent OF the amount in
yolFed.
The personal estate OF the late w. v
CorcOran. which exceeded over s.. .000, OF
In value was managed by Charles \
Matthews and Anthony Hyde as executor
both OF whom are dead. The estate is no
managed by William Corcoran Hill. Or
al the most famous criminal cases eve
tried in the District was that OF Daniel