Evening journal., 1913-05-17

acter in this case. and they have been
mlly. and perhaps surprisingly. met.
I'VE do not attach very much inn
portance. as a rule, TO the matter OF
restitution because that may depend
more upon financial ability or other
fayoring circumstances than repent
ance or reformation A thoroughly
had man may make restitution, II he is
able, in order to rehablitate himself
and regain his position In the com.
munity; and a thoroughly good man
may be unable to make any restitution
at all. Repayment of the money
wrongfully withheld is emnently
proper, and especially so If done from
a good motive, but Il does not absolve
the crime, or, in ITSELF prove that the
offender is inherently a better man.
/ The facts that impress ms as OF
most importance in such cases are
these: that the wrong doer has been
severely and adequately punished;
( that he has sincerely repented OF his
crime; that he has lived such life
for considerable period Of years
since his disbarrment that lawyers and
laymen alike are satisfied ne is an
honest aud upright citizen, )f clean
habits and good character, and likely
to be in the future. IL given a chance,
a useful and honest member of the
Bar and Society
From the evidence and informa-
tion before Court, upon which alone
our decision must be based), we are
constrained to believe these facts
have been fully established. The Court
have carefully read and considered
the report and recommendation of the
Kent County Bar Association. II ap-
pears from their resolution filed in
the case that the Association have
carefully and thoroughly investigated
the life of Mr. Hawkins since his dis
barrment and found IL satisfactory.
Indeed the members OF the Associa-
tiOn we're so we'll satisfied with the
result of their investigation that they
unanimously and earnestly recon-
mended the applicants reinstatement
We have no other evidence or inform
alton upon which to act and basine
our opinion upon the report and re.
commentator of the Bar, and assum-
, ing that they have fairly and con-
scientiously endeavored to assist the
court in the performance OF this delic-
ate and embarrassing duty, We have
concluded that Mr. Ha ykins should
> be re-instated upon the roll of at
torneys from which his name was
stricken dhirteen years ago upon his
own motion following his conviction
and sentence and following also tho
petition of the Bar Association asking
for his dsbarrment.
"In saying tiis we wish TO eXpresi
, the hope that the Court and Bar ma.
: not be deceived respecting Mr. Haw
kins' true character. and that none o
us may ever have reason to regre
4 the action now taken.
"lt is very common practice 4
e cur criminal courts to give the wrong
doer another chance to make good 4
life Such a practice is sanctione
by good people everywhere today
and is certainly within the spirit AM
I policy OF the law. In giving Nh
| Hawkins another chance to be a law
yer and man. we cannot too strong
| iy impress upon him the fact that h
will be for some time at least in
sense, on trial; his course and con
duct Will be closely watched, an
any deviation on his part from tn
straight line of professional integ
rity and improprioty may result in
revocation OF the order made in hi
favor today If II shall appear in tn
future. at any time. that the Cour
were mistaken IN their opinion OF hi
presen character. and wrong In thei
judgment respecting his fitness {
practice law. they will not hesitat
to annul the order they now con
scientiously make
"In concluding these remarks "
desire to say a few words about th
effect of our decision I'm this case, be