The Washington herald., 1914-12-12
HISTORY BUILDERS.
A Fee Big Enough to Retire On.
CWrtIcn E1I--sIy for The Herald,
BY DIR. r. J. EDWARDS.

A year or two after the death OF Com
| mOdore Vanderbilt an attempt was made
by one who WAS near OF kin to break the
will. This lawsuit attracted a great deal
Of public interest. At the time Of the
commodOre's death he was estimated to
be the richest man in the United States.
and he undoubtedly was. He beqUea thed
large sums to his hcirs-a' law and the
bulk OF his property. estimated at $50.
100000. he left 10 his son. William II.
Vanderbilt. In business circles It was
commonly understood that this beQuest
which at the time was the largest one
that had been made by any citizen of
the United States-waS made in favor OF
William H. Vanderbilt chiefly for the
purpose OF enabling the latter to main
tain control OF the vast Vanderbilt sys-
tenn of railroads
Distinguished counsel was, Of course.
retained in the proceedings which were
brought before the probate court. VIII
liam II. Vanderbilt retained as chief
counsel Henry l.. Clinton, who was at
that time numbered among the leaders
Of the New York bar and who had
gained national prominence.
1t was my duty to attend the sessions
Of the probate court and l was especially
attracted by the personal appearance Of
Mr.. Vanderbilt. He was distinguished
side whiskers TO bc found on the face
OF any man in New York. excepting a
tailor. Mr.. Vanderbilt was very fond
Of these so-Callcd Dundreary whiskers
and he stroked them fOndly and con-
stantIy while he was in the courtroom.
lie sat beside his counsel, Mr.. ClinN)n.
who appeared to pay little heed to him.
Mr. Clinton was man OF fine physical
presence. somewhat nervous and sup
courtroom. although he was a most
charming companion in social life.
Whether it was due to Mr.. ClintOn's
advice or for some other reason. II was
deemed best to offer a compromise and
If that 'were accepted then to end the
case. Among lawyers it was always the
impression that Mr.. Clinton feared that
IL the case were pressed there might be
some revelations upon the witness stand
which, while in no sense OF dishon-
orable character. nevertheless might
embarrass the family in its conduct or
the Vanderbilt railroad system. What
ever the reason was, a compromise was
reached and the sensational Vanderbilt
will contest was ended.
After the matter was settled Mr.. Van
derbilt asked Mr.. Clinton for his bill for
professional services. Thereupon Mr..
Clinton sent a bill for nearly 500 OO0.
Mr.. Vanderbilt protested. regarding the
sum as altogether dispropOrtiOnate to
the service rendered, but he wrote Mr..
Clinton, saying that If the amount was
insisted upon he would pay the bill, but
Of course would never again employ Mr..
Clinton professionally. In reply Mr..
Clinton said-as quoted to me by a dis
tinguished lawyer OF New YOrk-that he
should insist upon payment Of the bill
as rendered. for when he received pay
ment he expected to retire from the
practice of his profession, so that It
would not he possible for Mr.. Wander
bilt to retain him again even If he
wished to do so. The bill was paid and
Mr.. Clinton did retire. 1t was said at
the time that it was the largest single
fee ever paid to any New York lawyer
(Copyright, 1914 ny f. J. Edwards. All
rights reserYed)