Norwich bulletin., 1918-08-03

The application of Amos s. Burdick to be admitted to take the poor debtors oath, is the first of it's kind brought to the Third District court, and according to the rulings of Judge Oliver H. Williams, the travel is over road of legal obstruction, and has not yet been decided When the appn cation first came to the court a month ago. and after a weeks consideration, Judge Williams declared that he could see no reason why Burdick should not he permitted to take the poor debtors oath. but that he would reserve final decision for a week, so that legal formalities might be complied with, and that he held in reservation his right 10 change his opinion if circum- stances in the meantime warra nted. Later. when Judge Herbert W. Rath- bun, counsel for Burdick, appeared in court in behalf of the application. he was told that before the application could be granted formal assignment must be made and an assignee nam ed while the counsel was Of impression that these things were to be done after favorable action was taken on the ap- plication.
 At the hearing evidence was intro-
  teamster and iitnev driver. held n3 equity in the property he possessed as t was nortra9ed for considerably more than it's value. Deputy Sheriff Frederick T. Mitchell was named as assignee but the court objected to the appointment of a court official. and the sheriff objected personally. The case was continued.
 At Fridays session of the court. after the reading of the docket, and the continuation of cases thereon, the application of BurdiclI was called. Judge Rathbun presented a written assignment. in which Burdick assign cd all his property, real and personal 10 George Champlin, as assigned Judge Williams stated the assignment was lacking as the property was not enumerated. Judge Rathbun de- clared the assignment was drawn in the language of the statute. and that Rurdick had no property to enumer ate.
 Judge Williams declared that Bur dick admitted that he had property in his posrs s@sion and that the as- siCnment presented was not what the law expected and required Burdick should come into court with an as- signment that would state just what
 
 done and is not acting in good faith.
 Judge Rathbun said that so far as the matter under consideration was concerned his client had acted under the advice of his attorney. and surely there was no intention oact in bad faith with the court
 judre Williams declared that ht would not allow Burdick or an--ant elsr to trifo with the court. Wher Judge Rathl'un attempted 10 explain the court Interrupted, and said that tht attorney for BUrdick had always treat ed the court with courtesy anI respect but that the client had abused tho good wiz of the attorney, and did all go abuse the court. He Is not acting ir good faith. and the court wants hin to set forth in the assignment just what property he possesses. and just exactly what he assigns Burdicl has the right to take the pcor debtors oath 10 protect himself, but he must come 10 the court in good faith. He has not placed himself before the court as in good faith.
 Continuing, Judge Williams said that while George Champlin. named as assignee, was a competent man for the place, he was closely connected in a business way with Burdick. The as-