The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1903-06-27
ATTORNEYS
PROSECUTED
Attorney General
Andrews Files
Report.
Disbarment Proceedings
Against Humphreys
and Thompson.
Charged With Professional Impro-
nrieties Deceit. Malpractice
Charged With Professional Impro-
prieties. Deceit, Malpractice
and lnfidelity.

Attorney General Lorrin Andrews
yesterday morning presented before
the Supreme Court his report on the
conduct of attorneys in the Sumner
trust case. At the outset he states
that he undertook the investigation
by request of the court, which had
been moved to act at the instance Of
A. S. Humphreys, with the acquies-
cence of ]. A. Magoon and George A.
Davis. His conclusions bear serious
charges of malpractice against A. S.
Humphreys, with a demand for ex-
plantations made with regret upon F.
E. Thompson. They carry complete
exonerati ton of ]. A. Magoon and E. M.
Watson, likewise of George A. Davis
SO far as it is thought the investiga-
ton could go.
Annexed TO the report is a formal
complaint of professional misconduct
against Messrs. Humphreys and
Thompson.
Mr.. Humphreys being in court stated
that he was ready for trial. and the
complaint was set for hearing on Mon
day morning at 10 o'clock.
THE INVESTIGATION.
The Attorney General, in relating
the steps he had taken, reported sub
stantially as follows on the replies he
had received to his request of the at
torneys to make statements:
]. A Magoon made specific charges
against A. S. Humphreys and the firm
of Humphreys, Thompson & Watson
George A. Davis detailed the valu-
able services he had rendered his eli
ents in the various causes leading up
to and including the cause mentioned,
and concluded by stating that he had
no charges to make.
Humphreys, Thompson & Watson
stated that they had no time. then,
to present the matter, and asked for
time until after the decision of the
Supreme Court in the Sumner case.
HIS CONCLUSIONS.
The Attorney General refers to the
unpleasant duty given him, relates
somewhat of his mode of investigation
and submits the following conclusions:
1. L find absolutely nothing in the
actions of j. a. Magoon, Esq, upon
which charges could be based before
your Honorable Court.
2. In regard to the case of Geo. A.
Davis, while criticism might be in
dulged in as to his methods, and the
amount of fee charged by him to
Maria S. Davis for his services, yet
these are matters between the attorney
and client, upon which no charges
could be based in the absence of OBJ
lection by the client.
8. In regard to the firm of Hum
phreys, Thompson & Watson, both
from the records in the case, the state
ments of interested parties, and the
personal assurance of Mr.. Watson, L
have come to the conclusion that he
had absolutely nothing to do with the
case in any of its phases, and that 1t
would be unfair and unjust to charge
him before this Honorable Court with
reprehensible conduct as an attorney
ana counselor at law
f. With the greatest reluctance
have further come to the conclusion
that the actions of Frank E. Thomp-
son. ESQ. require an explanation in
several particulars. and make it neces-
sary that formal charges against him
should be filed in this Court. From
Mr. Thompson's well known reputation
for integrity and professional honor, L
trust he will be able TO make an ade-
quate explanation to your Honorable
Court.
5. In regard to the case Of A. 5.
Humphreys. Esq, find there are Sc
rious grounds for making charges of
professional misconduct. and therefore
deem it my duty to file the same in
this Court.
In conclusion would state that, or
course, my proceedings have been eN
parte. as I have not deemed it proper
to pass upon this case as Trial
Judge. but rather that it was nv duty
TO act as a prosecutor, if sufficient
grounds were found wherein TO base
charges of professional misconduct
That it has been the most unpleasant
task which I have undertaken since l
entered the office of Attorney General
and il is only with the profoundest
regret. and because I cannot see my
wav clear to do otherwise. that I hle
the annexed charges against the gen
tIemen named herein