The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-04
LAW FIRM DIVIDED BY DUTIES.
ERWIN AND DU BIGNON RETIRE
FROM PLANT SYSTEMS COUNSEL.

The Firm of Erwin, duBignon, CHS
holm & Clay Dissolved by imita-
ton and in the Future Messrs.
Chisholm and Clay VIII Look AZ
ter the Legal Interests of the sys-
tenn as General CounseI-Mr. Err
wins Duties as President of the
System and Mr.. duBignOn's as Gem
eraI Counsel for the Southern Ex-
press Company Have Caused Their
Retirement From the Firm.
The law firm of Erwin, duBignon CHS
holm & Clay, general counsel for the
Plant System, has been dissolved by lin
itation The two senior members Of
the firm retire and Messrs. Chisholm aud
Clay will in the future look after the legal
interests of the system as general coun-
sci.
A Morning News reporter called at the
Office of Messrs. Erwin, duBignon, CHS
holm g.. Clay and asked if it were true
that the firm had dissolved, and the cause
Of the dissolution. He was informed that
the firm expired by Limitation Jan. l, and
that Mr. Erwin, having been elected pres
ident of the Plant System, had decided he
could not continue the co-partnership.
The greater part of Mr.. duBignon's time
is taken up with the business of the
Southern Express Company, which will
prevent him from taking active part in
all litigated cases in which the Plant Rail
way System is concerned. For this rea-
son he hos been appointed special counsel
of the Plant System, Mr.. Erwin stating
that it was desired by the Plant System
to avail of Mr.. duBignon's services as far
as the latter's engagements as general
counsel of the Southern Express Com
pany would permit. Messrs. w. S. CHS
holm and w. l.. Clay, Mr.. Erwin stated,
have been appointed the general counsel
of the railway system.
1t is understood that the contempt a ted
dissolution of the firm has had something
to do with Mr.. Erwin's presence in Sa-
Vannah at the present time, and that dur
ing his stay here the business of the firm
has been practically wound up.
In explanation of the dissolution, II may
be further stated that for the last two
years Mr.. duBignon has been individual
ly general counsel for the Southern Elk
press Company. He has found ii impossi-
bic to look after the large interests of this
corporation from a legal standpoint and
at the same time devote any reasonable
share of his time to the litigated Disagree
ments of The Plant System of Railways
with individuals and other corporations.
Mr.. Erwins retirement from the firm of
general counsel had been expected. His
duties as executive head of the great sys-
tenn of railways, which he assumed after
the death of MIR. Plant, demand oil of his
time and attention, and he could spare
but little of either for the consideration
of legal problems. His duties, too, keep
him in New York and prevent anything
approaching frequent consulta ton with
the members of his firm. His withdrawal,
therefore, is in line with the generally
expressed opinion as to the course he
would follow in the premises.
Mr.. duBignon stated last night that the
report that has lately been industriously
circulated, that he would remove TO At
| lanta is a mistake. His office and resi-
dence will continue in Savannah. In con-
| nection with the dissolution of his firm
| there are rumors of other changes In the
| personnel of the legal department of the
| Plant System. involving the retrem mt
| from its service of one or more of it's di-
| vision counsel in this and other cities Of
| the state
The firm of Erwin, duBignon. Chisholm
| &, Clay has been one of the most prom
| uent at the bar of Savannah. Cotnmenc-
ing as Chisholm & Erwin, Hon. F. G. du-
Bignon, Mr. W. S. Chisholm and Mr.. w
| l.. Clay have been successfully admitted
! TO its membership. It's firm acme chang
| ed with the death of Judge w. S. CHS
holm, its senior member, when it was first
organized. and has changed several time s
since, with the admission Of new members.
1t has continued throughout as general
counsel for the Plant System and has
waged legal war for that corporation in
| The courts Of every state through which
| the lines of the various roads run, and in
| the courts of the United States having
| jurisdiction over the same territory.