The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-01
ASKED TO EXPEL
JOSEPH \. CH0ATE
Serious Charges Pre-
ferred Before Ameri-
can Bar Association
FORMER CLIENT
OVERHEARD OFFER
lanes r. Watts Declares Wife's
Money Was Withheld-Ac-
cuses Distinguished Lawyer
and Diplomat Of Yiolat-
ing Ethics of Profession.
Members Surprised.

I Chattan ooga, Tenn, August 31.-Layv-
yerx In attendance ON the meeting OF
the American Bar Association here
were antonished at the publication In
I'M afternoon paper OF the report that
.ensntional charges hndbeen preferred
III the association against Joseph H.
Choate, OF New York, former a,nbassa-
dor to Great Britain.
All agree that the charges have been
mnde at least twice before In meetings
OF the association, but most Of the dei-
egates were In Ignorance OF their pre-
sentntion at to-day's session.
George w. Chamlee, of Tennessee, on
the floor of the convention, to-dny nn-
nouuced that he had a "pctition' to
offer. President Libby replied that tha
petition would be received. This "peti-,
ton, which was not read In the con-
vention. contained the charges against
Mr.. Choatc, prepared by James II.
Watts, ofe New York.
There can be no action on the charges
within year, even shoud they be
taken up by the grievance committee,
which In Its present status is hardly
probable.
Charges Against Mr.. Choate.
Chattanooga. Tenn, August 31.-
Charges that Joseph H.Choate. of New
York, former ambassador from the
United states to Great Britain, has
been guilty of the violation Of the con-
stitut'on of the American Bar Associa-
tion In failure to uphold the honor
of the profession OF law, and petition
that he be expelled from the bar asso-
citation were presented to American
Bar Association to-day and referred
to the committee on grievances.
These charges were filed by James
r. 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 con-
tdants, James r Watts and Wife; that
he has violated the canons and ethics
OF the an eTican Bar Association; has
been guilty of divers apG many OF
lenses, in violation OF good morals. fair
dealings, and has brought dishonor and
disgrace upon the American Bar As
sociation OF the United States Of
America
The first charge has to do With cer-
tain litigation intrusted to Mr.. Choate
and his associates in the firm of Evarts,
Choate & Beaman, of New York City,
and in an associate partnership with
Treadwell Cleveland.
Sold Out, Says Watts.
In 1885 Watts engaged the firm OF
Evarts Choate & Beaman to bring
suit against Walter Weston and Alfred
Weston for s350,O00 damages. This
suit was filed.
The petition alleges that not long
afterward he was In the office of Mr..
Choate and overheard, by accident a
conversation between Mr.. Choate and
an attorney. In which this attorney,
yuno or
to Treadwell Cleveland. Choate's trial
attorney. the sum OF $4,000 to COM
promise 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 were
granted. the sum. In fact, being cents.
Other Funds Withheld.
Other charges relate to an alleged
wrongful appropriation Of $3.50 col-
lected by the firm of Eyarts. Choate
L. Beaman for Mrs. James r. Watts,
and the alleged wrongful retention OF
notes for $4,000 against solvent parties
placed in the hands Of Mr.. Choates
law firm for collection in 1891; and
the failure of Mr.. Choate's firm to
bring suit for $4,000 alleged to have
been wrongfully in the possession of
Walter Weston in 1885.
Mr.. Choate is also taxed with the
alleged failure of his firm to account
for about $1,000 collected by a re-
ceiver for the sale OF certain business.
Tho last charge is with reference
to suit in 1887 OF Watts VS.. Samuel
B. Alder in the New York Supreme
Court for collecting certain claims,
amounting to about $4,000. in which
Mr.. Watts claims to have lost a part
of his money because of the alleged
negligence of the firm Of which Choate
was the head.