The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-07-30

Testimony affecting all the disbar-
ment cases was given by 5. NJ. Ballou
and McCants Stewart this morning in
the Supreme Court on the subject of
fees. Ballou testified in answer to
George A. Davis that the firm of Kin
ney, Ballou & McClanahan had received
a fee of $1,500 from Sumner several
years ago and the court allowed him to
explain what it was for. Ballou went
into a long list of actions and in an
swer to Justice Perry stated that there
were four or five separate suits, con-
tinuing over a year and possibly two
years or more. Another contribution
to the fee question was given by Nc
Cants Stewart who said that United
States Attorney General Knox had
once demanded a $4,000 retainer and
$1OO, 900 if he won certain case.
THE big fee was asked in the hope
that it would prevent his being re-
tained, was it not?" asked Frear.
Stewart said that it was and added
that Knox took the case, received the
$40, 900 and won the case by brief APP
pearance in court, earning the 100000.
Stewart began to tell about another
big fee he had heard Of but the court
didn't want any more. On motion of
Attorney General Andrews the whole
testimony was stricken out as merely
hearsay. Stewards testimony that he
considered the fee George A. Davis got
from Summer very reasonable, was
| allowed.
The George A. Davis disbarment case
began very quietly today, F. M.
Hatch being called as first witness, but
there were soon some very lively rns-
sages over efforts to secure Hatch's
opinion as to Davis reputation for
honesty and integrity.
Andrews objected and made remark
which called forth a lively retort from
Davis who apologized when the court
called for order, using the term chief
in addressing Chief Justice Frear.
Don't address the senior member of
the court again." said Frear, address
the court"
Davis remarked that his use of the
! term had been in haste
Hatch testified that he had known
Davis a number of years and that his
reputation as an honorable practitioner
was good. He had never heard his
|
to have the evidence stricken out and a
majority of the court allowed it to
stay in.
Former Attorney General f. P. Dole
was sworn and gave a high testimonial
| to Davis character. His peculiar
temperament makes him widely dis
cussed," said Dole. Il have heard
many discussions of his character and
while his peculiarities have been cen
sured and his erratic traits have caused
him to do things a man of different
temperament might not do, in all have
heard said I never heard the opinion
that he was not professionally honest
and I would have heard such remarks
if there had been any"
S. NJ. Ballou said practically the same
to Davis question: You are a subject
of much discussion in the community
and among members of the bar l have
never heard anything at all against
your honesty as member of the bal
and if there had been l should have
heard it,"
Andrews sought to break the force OF
this by questions which indicated g
| broadening of the suit into a general
inquiry into Davis character as shown
by other suits
Did you ever hear Mr.. Davis ac-
tions in the Nobregga case or the case
of the Hawaiian Hardware Company
VS.. the Kamalo Sugar Co., discussed"
asked Andrews.
Davis objected, unless Andrews was
going to follow by trying to prove he
had done something wrong. The obs
lection was Overruled and Davis said
he was willing to go into both cases.
BaNou replied that he had never heard
! of either matters.
Davis brought out that Ballou's firm
had received a fee of $1,5OO and Ballou
explained what it was for. His firm
settled Summers troubles of several
years ago, breaking several deeds and
other documents.