The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-07

Announcement of Justice Coie-Dr'
Charles u. Cocks Petition for Care
of the Giri-An Attorney Makes
Charges Against Register of wills
Justice Cole, after hearing testimony
concerning the matter. yesterday stated
that tomorrow afternoon, at l o'clock ne
viii announce his decision relative to the
appointment of q guardian of Flora Hal
lowell the fifteen-year-old daughter OF
tho late Joel HaHuweli. The matter came
up on the petition of DR.. Charles b. Cock.
who asked to be named guardian for the
girl Hallowen died February last. and
a few days later Mrs. A. a. Maxim was,
at the solicitation of the girl, appointed
her guardian. DIR. Cock stated in his
petition that the girl was influenced by
Mrs. Maxim to aequiesce in her appoint
ment.
Miss IIallowen left Mrs. M2xim and
went to the home of DIR. Cock WcdneS-
day. At the instance of Mrs. Maxim she
was removed from there by the police.
At the time the girl was given the choice
of returning to Mrs. Maxim on going to
the House of Detention, and she chose
the latter course. 1t was then that DR..
Cock filed a petition asking to be APP
pointed guardian for the girl, stating that
it was not alone the desire of the girl,
bit, had also been that of her father,
who, a few days before his death, Cock
claimed, placed money in his care for the
use of the child.
Mrs. Maxim stated to the court that
she did not think DIR. Cock a proper per-
son to be named as guardian for the
child, because she alleged he tried to en-
..II.
her that he had received letters from
spirit land from her dead father, inform
ing him that the deceased parent wished
him to care for Miss Hallowell. Several
persons whose names were suggested to
the court We're called to testify in rela-
ton to DR.. Cocks moral character. None
of them knew anything against it.
At her own request Justice Cole allowed
Mrs. Maxim to make a statement, but
said that as what she desired to say was
not in response to the question at issue,
her testimony must be brief The court
also informed Mrs Maxim that no charge
had been made against her in her ca
pacity as guardian of the girl. Flora
Hallowell, Justice Cole stated to Mrs.
Maxim, was over fourteen years of age,
and according to law has the privilege of
asking for the appointment of any person
she may select as her guardian.
In disposng of the matter Justice Cole,
while he did not state that he will name
DIR. Cock as guardian for the child, an
nounced that he will appoint some person
other than Mrs. Maxim.
Attorney Andrew Y. Bradley, who rep
resented DIR. Cock, at the close of the
hearing called Justice Coles attention to
an incident which occurred in the office
of the Register of Wills Wednesday when
he desired to have certain papers in con-
nection with the case served as quickly
as possible. Mr.. Bradley stated TO the
court that he had reason TO believe that
an effort would have been made TO re-
move Flora Hallowell from the jurisdic-
ton of the court. To expedite matters
he said, he had prepared q copy of the
papers he wished TO be served so as to
avoid delay.
of the clerks in the office of the Register
of Wills, he said, explaining his reason
for doing so, and asked that II be COM
pared with the original Mr.. Bradley
stated that this accommodation was re-
fused him at first, but after a wait of
perhaps twenty minutes was granted. He
said he looked upon this action as a dis
courtesy almost bordering upon contempt
of court.
Justice Cole stated that he has no con-
troll over the matter; that the Register
of Wills has power TO make rules in rela-
ton to the management of the affairs of
his office, provided that he does not make
regulations which conflict with those of
the Supreme Court of the District. Mr..
Bradley stated that he had heard other
members of the District bar complain of
the treatment they received in the Regis
ter of wis office. Justice Cole said that
of Wills desired that the affairs OF his
office should be properly conducted and
that his employees should be courteous TO
everyone.