Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1903-07-30
ATTORNEY DAVIS SWORN TESTIMONY
ON HIS RELATIONS WITH SUMNER

Seldom have the corridors Of the Ju-
dietary building echoed more earnest
words than were borne in the witness
box in the Supreme Court yesterday
afternoon and rang from the crowded
hall, finding no inattentive ear, holding
all who heard, friend or foe, by thair
very force and eloquence.
Attorney George A. Davis, charged
with infidelity to his client, deceit
professional improprieties and fraud
lduring the afternoon proceedings in
the disbarment case against him, took
the stand in his own defence and told
his story In manner fearless and I'M
sparing, at times restraining an emo
ton that threatened to burst its
bounds, occasionally reducing the pow
err of his speech to a calmness that
conveyed words not less strong. per.
haps the sharper for their mild deliv.
cry.
Once the court found occasion to sug
gest mildness on the part of witness
and Mr.. Davis said that he would en-
deavor TO be more mild"
Side remarks were occasionally in.
dulged In between Attorney General
Andrews and Respondent Davis. but
Davis, in this, expressed more by EN-.
phasls than sentences and Andrews
maintained his good nature through.
out
On numerous occasions Supreme
Court Bailiff Sea had to smartly rap
for order, as a sprinkling of sensation
seekers and court room loungers in
sisted upon giving tongue in mixed
giggles and outlaws every time a par
ticularly earnest assertion was made
by the respondent while he was testify
ing in his own behalf.
Now and then the respectable portion:
of the spectators, attorneys, business
men and others. directly interested
and otherwise. INDUCED in apprecla.
tive demonstration at some clever
thrust between the Territorial advocate
and the attorney defending his profes'
sional reputation. In these instances
the general smile might also be looked
for on the several countenances of the
court.
zones Not Asleep.
A little pantomimic by-play did moi
pass unnoticed by many. Supreme
Court Stenographer J. w. Jones (whC
YIELDS both the pen and the sword ant
Is undecided which is the mightier
had taken his seat opposite the witness
box. while Davis was testifying, VIII
his back to their Honors. Davis mucl
of the time was speaking at the rate o
about $50 words minute. Jones leane,
his head against the rail of the jur
box. Viewed from the bench he nigh
easily have appeared to Be asleep. AS
sociate Justice Perry was gazing Il
Jones' motionless back and reclining
head His Honor beckoned Suprem
Court Clerk Lucas and whispered L
him. Lucas looked surprised, at Jus
tice Perry and then at StenographC
Jones. Then he smiled and approache
Jones. executing a flank movement
- Looking over the stenographer
shoulder he saw the rapidly flying per
ell OF the expert annihilating paper an
recording the fast and forceful speec
OF the eloquent speaker. II there ha
strenuous facts belied II.
When the afternoon session con
menced at 80 o'clock, John X. Sun
ner was still on the stand.
mo, | was not to pay Davis $4,000
he did not get the s4S,025 for me OF
of the bank" said the old gentleman
Summers Attorney.
who was your attorney In TIL
case?"
Davis objected.
Andrews declared the objection al
surd. Evidence concerning a docl
ment the validity of which was que
toned was material. The charge WI
that the respondent had obtaint
money under false pretences.
"Magoon & Peters were my alto
neys." said Sumner.
Davis moved to strike out the ey
dence.
THE prosecution Is making the W
ness perjure himself by contradictil
the documentary evidence he has q
ready acknowledged. He acknowledge
his signature" said Davis.
Majority overruIed.
The Chief Justice announced that
majority Of the court overruled the .
lection.
Sumner, continuing. said: IL to
Davis I'd pay him $500 for his wor
don't know what his authority VS.
Maybe he was employed by Magoo