The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-02-15
CHARACTER SKETCH OF
;. Dolphin NJ. DEL MAS -


man. His suave speech, rounded ges-
lures and measured periods, all franz
ed in fine English" impressed those
who saw him at the Thaw trial last
week. Californians said they had
helped 10 make him famous on the
Pacific coast.
The law seems to be a consuming
passion Of his life. Next to that he is
a shrewd f1nancier. His love of re-
tirement has been emphasized in re-
cent years, since personal episode
In his life made public in San Fran
cisco. He delights in books. and is an
omnivorous reader. Political position
has no allurements for him. He is
In demand as speech maker at ban
quets and other public functions. On
these occasions, however, his attitude
Is distinctly dignified and courtly
one.
To his skill in the examination of
witnesses he is said to add the gift
OF eloquent argument, in which in
cisive analysis of evidence is mingled
with oratory of sort that appeals
to the emotions. He belongs to the
old school of orators, as distinguished
from the strenuous, the casual and
the colloquial speakers in the more
modern fashion. Yet, as one of his
acquafntances said last week: "When
Delmas wants to be sarcastic his
words are like vitriol in a cup of
honey"
His Fees.
At first Mr.. Delmas took cases of
every sort. In recent years his posi-
ton in California has resembled that
of an English barrister-a lawyer re-
tanned for consultations and trials by
solicitors who do all the work of &C.
tive preparation. Most of the cases
were submitted to him for opinions.
Such was his recognized abilities,
Californians said last week, that he
was not infrequently called upon even
by the judges of the courts to prepare
opinions in difficult or doubtful cases.
Such a practice and an occasional
appearance as the trial lawyer in
suits of the first Importance soon
brought Mr.. Delmas fortune. His
fee in the Fair will case was various
ly estimated at from $4,000 to $780,
900, and he earned $4,000 defending
the Spreckels libel suit.
The San francisco earthquake
changed the course of Mr.. Delmas'
life. Before the disaster he had no
thought of coming to New York. Part
of his fortune, however, was shaken
down by the quake, and burned in
the fire that followed. Life in San
Francisco was so chaotic that he de-
cided to travel in the east.
His retention in the Thaw case Of
fers an unusual example of a single
trial leading man to form a law
partnership and take up his residence
permanently in New York, as Mr.. Del
mas has decided to do. Last summer
the Thaws cast about for great law
yer-the greatest in the country, if
need be-to save Harry X. Thaw.
John G. Johnson, noted attorney of
Philadelphia, was mentioned, but de-
clined. Partly at Mr.. Johnson's sug-
gestion. partly through the influence
of Justice McKenna of the supreme
court of the United States, and a
coterie of Californians, Mr.. Delmas
was retained. He was approached
through Henry c. McPike, an attorney
of standing in San Francisco and an :
ex-United States attorney for northern
California.
A detailed recapitulatio nof all that
had been done in the Thaw case was
prepared and submitted to Mr.. Del
mas. The latter came to New York
last September. After consultations
with Thaw, his mother and his coun-
sci, Mr.. Delmas finally accepted the
case on Nov. IL last. A few days
before he had been admitted to prac-
tice, on the motion of ex-Judge Angus
tus J. Van Wyck, in the appellate
division of the supreme court. His
fee, according to the estimates of
eastern lawyers who know Mr.. Del
mas abilities, cannot be far short of
100000.