Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-01
to- ExPE[ CHoAJE.
Petition Before American
Bar Association.
Serious, Charges Against Our
Former, Ambassador,
Said to navs Violated Confidence
0tsHis Clients, Etc.

Chattanooga. Tenn, Aug. CLAW
yers in attendance on the meeting of
the American Bar Association here
we're astonished at the publication in
an afternoon newspaper of the report
that sensational charges had been pre-
ferred in the association against Jo-
sepi M. Choate OF New York. former
ambassador to Great Briatin.
All agree that the charges have been
made NJ least twice before in meetings
OF the association, but most Of the del
egates we're in Ignorance Of their pre-
sentat;on at today's session..
George NJ. Chamlee of Tennessee on
the floor of the convention today an
nounced that he had petition to Of
fer. The Chair 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.
Tho extent to which the matter was
carried and the contents of the petition
were not known until read by the
members in the. afternoon paper.
The charges have not been present
ed to the grievance committee. which
has had no meeting here. The only two
members of te committee present have
heard nothing of the alleged charges.
The members present are Fred Leh-
mann of St. Louis and George X. Peck
Of Chicago.
President Libbey was asked tonight
for a statement in regard to the mat
ter He replied:
There is no reason for my discus
sing this affair as there is no such
question before tine association "
Had the charges been referred to the
grievance committee no action could
be taken within a year.
Chattanooga. Tenn. Aug. 81
Charges that Joseph H. Choate Of
New York. former ambassador from
the United State to Great Britain.
has been guilty of the violation of
the constitution of the American Bar
Association in a failure to uphold the
honor of the profession of the law and
a petition that he be expelled were
presented to the American Bar Asso-
citation today and rferred to the COM
mittee on grievances. These charges
were filed by James X. Watts OF New
York. through his attorney. George w.
Chamlee of this city. member of the
Bar Association.
The charges allege that Mr.. Choate
has violated the confidence of his
clients. James r. Watts and wife; that
ne has violated the canons and ethics
Of the American Bar Association. has
been guilty of divers and many Of
fences. in violation OF good morals.
fair dealings and has brought dis
honor and disgrace upon the American
Bar Association of the United States
of America
The first charge has to do with GER
tain litigation entrusted to Mr.. Choate
and his associates in the firm of
E,verts. Choate & Beaman of New
York City and i'm an associate part
nership with Treadwell Cleveland. In
1885. Watts engaged the firm of Everts.
Chcate and Beaman to bring suit
against Walter Weston and Alfred
Weston for ss50.O00 damages This
suit was filed. The petition alleges
that not long afterward ne was In the
Office of Mr.. Choate and an attorney
In which this attorney. representing
Weston Brothers. offered to Treadwell
Cleveland, Choates trial attorney.
the sum Of $4,000 to compromise the
case Mr.. Watts now says in his pc
tition to the bar association that he
believes his law suit was sold out or
thrown away" Only nominal dam
ages were granted. the sum. in faSt,
being six cents.
Other charges relate to an alleged
wrongful appropriation Of $3.50 collect
ed by the firm of Everts. Choate and
Beaman for Mrs. James r. Watts and
the alleged wrongful retention OF notes
for $1,000 against solvent parties placed
in the hands of Mr.. Choate's law firm
for collection in 1891: and the failure
OF Mr.. Choate's firm to bring suit for
$4,000 alleged to have been wrong
fully In the possession Of Walter Wes-
ton in 1885.
Mr.. Choate is also taxed with the al
legged failure of his firm to account for
about $1,000 collected by a receiver for the
sale of certain business.
The last charge is with reference to "A
suit in 1887 of Watts VS.. Samuel B. Al
ger in the New York supreme count for
connecting certain claims amounting to
have lost part of his money because Of
the alleged negligence of the firm of
which Choate was the head.
The American Bar Association today
adopted the report of the committee on
uniform state laws. approved the draft of
the transfer of stock act. adopted the bill
of lading act. and recommended these
acts to the various states for enactment
into laws The report of the committee
on commercial law was received and its
various recommendations concurred in.
A gross valuation of the estate of
the late Grover Cleveland in New York
will be filed Thursday with the sur