The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-09-01
Former ambassador to England
Accused Before American
Bar Association.
ALLEGED TO HAVE "S0LD"
SUIT OF ONE CLIENT
His Expulsion From Society Is
Asked; Noted Lawyer De-
clines to Talk.

CHATTANOOGA. Tenn. Aug 81
Lawyers attending the American Bar as
sociation meeting here were astonished
at the publication In an afternoon news
paper OF the report that sensational
charges mad been preferred in the asso-
citation against Joseph III. Choate or New
York, former ambassador TO Great Brit
ain.
All agree that the charges have been
made at least twice before in meetings
OF the association, but most of the dele
gates We're in ignorance of their pre-
sentatton at todays session.
George w. Chamlee OF Tennessee on
the floor Of the convention today an
nounced that he had petition To offer.
President Libbey replied that the petit
ton would be received. This petition,
which was received without being read in
the convention. contained the charges
against Mr.. Choate. prepared by james
r.. Watts of New York City.
Not Before Committee.
The charges have not been presented
TO the grievance committee. in fact. the
grievance committee has had no meeting
here. as there were no grievances to
come before them, But two members
of The committee are present. and they
have heard nothing of the alleged
charges The members present are Fred
Lehman OF ST. Louis and George b.
Peck OF Chicago.
President Libbey was asked tonight for
statement In regard 10 the matter He
replied:
There is no reason for me discussing
this affair. as there is no such question
before the association.
Had the charges been referred to the
grievance committee, no action could
have been taken within year
The charges are that Mr. Choate has
violated the confidence of his clients.
James r. Watts and wife, that he vio-
lated canons of ethics OF the American
Bar association; has been guilty OF div
aff In toll NJ
good morals. fair dealings and has
brought dishonor and disgrace upon the
American Bar association of the United
States OF @Amcrica.
Details of Charges.
The first charge has TO do with GER
tain litigation entrusted to Mr.. Choate
and his assistants In the firm or Evarts.
Choate and Beaman OF New York City
and In an associate partnership with
TreadweIl OF Cleveland.
In 1885 Watts engaged the firm OF
Evarts. Choate Beaman to bring suit
against Walter Weston and Alfred Wes-
ton. former business associates, for
s250,00O damages This suit was filed.
The petition alleges that not long after
ward Mr.. Watts was in the office OF
Mr.. Choate and overheard by accident q
conversation between MI Choate and an
attorney, in which this attorney, repre-
senting Weston Brothers, offered TO
Treadwell Cleveland, Choate's trial at
torney" the sum OF $50, 900 to compromise
the case. Mr., Watts now says in his
petition TO the Bar association that he
believes his law suit was ''sold OUT or
thrown away" only nominal damages
being granted, the sum in fact being 6
cents.
other charges relate TO an alleged
wrongful appropriation of 500 collected
by the firm OF Evarts. Choate s. Beaman
for Mrs. James Watts and the alleged
wrongful retention OF notes for $4,000
against solvent parties placed in the
hands Of Mr.. Choate's law firm for col
lection In 1891; and the failure OF Mr..
Choate's firm 10 bring suit for $4,000 al
legged 10 have been wroDgfully In the
possession OF Walter Weston in 1885
Mr. Choate is also taxed with the al
legged failure of his firm to account for
about $1,000 collected by receiver for
the sale Of certain business,
STOCK RRIDGE Mass Auo II -