The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-10
HAVANA LAWYERS DEFY GENER
Four Discredited Judges HOnOred by
the HaP AssOClQtfOU.

| HAVANA Dec. 9.-The Havana Bar AS
ISOLATION today elected Senore5 Quintana,
Maigagap, Guiral, and Iglesias members
| of it's executive committee. Senior Quin-
| tana was formerly Judge of the Supreme
Court while the others were judges OF the
audiencia. All were dismissed on Sep
TENDER II by an order which was printed
in the Gazette" with a preamble accus-
ing them either of gross dishonesty or
incapacity. They never appealed to Cen
eral Wood against their dismissal. but
several prominent lawyers, at their re-
quest. after claiming to have carefully
examined into the case, declared that
they had acted rightly, and that Senior
Gener. Secretary of Justice, was wrong
In recommending their dismissal.
1t was generally known this week that
the Bar Association, which consists Of
nearly all the lawyers OF Havana. thought
Of electing these ex-judges members Of
the executive committee. The 'Lucha."
which represents Secretary Gener, threat
ened the association with a severance of
official connection with the Government.
as was done In Porto Rico. The associa-
tion has the right to charge for putting
It's seal on powers of attorney. and its
members also decided between clients and
lawyers regarding the amount of the lat
ters fees. From these and other sources
the association enjoys certain revenue
which 1t would lose IL the Government re-
fused to recognize it.
The "Patria,' which voiced the opinion
OF majority of the lawyers, replied that
the association did not care whether the
Government recognized it or not. 1t add
indpnpDdput
OF the Government and was determined
to elect the dismissed judges as members
OF the committee to protest against Senior
Gener. who. 1t is said, had removed them
without giving them a trial.
Prominent lawyers admit that the cir
cumstance of the ex-judges never having
appealed for trial is suspicious, but they
say they did not appeal because their dis
missal was in accord with the course
followed under the Spanish regime. They
had no confidence in the Supreme Court.
which they declare would have decided
against the judges through fear OF dis
missal by Secretary Gener. The same
lawyers admit that this assertion accuses
the Supreme Court either of gross dis
honesty or cOwardice.
Before the election of the ex-judges
Senior Sofa read letter from Governor
General Wood saying that he wished 70
inform the association of the attitude Of
the government These ex-judges. he
added. after they had been dismissed for
the reasons given in the Gazette of Sep
TENDER Il, had never. by themselves or
through representatives. appealed to him
for trial. and that II they wished to APP
peal they should have tried the Supreme
Court. the decision of which would have |
been final. He said. in conclusion. that no
refusal to hear an appeal had been made. |
After reading the letter Senior Sofa said |
the matter was grave. but the association |!
was free to act as it chose.
Ex-Fiscal Mora said that trial should |
come before. not after. dismissal. The |
question was then put to vote. and the !
ex-iudges were elected almost unanimous |
ly. President Sofa called a meeting Tor |
next Sunday to discuss the question Of |
trial OF the ex-judges.
Estes G. Rathbone. ex-director of posts. !
says he is glad the report in his case has |
been published. and that he is preparing |
an answer.
The Discussion" says that the consti-
tutional convention will finish its work by
the end of January.