FEDERAL REPORTER.
Jers, the men who are interested in the bank-the stockholders, the ,iepositors-ought to be bound by the authorized acts of the offic6rs, or those which appear to be authorized, whether they are or not, and Dy the general mercantile usage of banks. So that, in any view that I can take of this case, it seems to me that the plaintiff cannot maintain its· action; that it must be concluded by the course of the business which has been done. Non constat but tha.t, admitting all that is claimed on the part of the plaintiff, Mr. Sutor may have presumptively made some arrangement justifying his action with his own bank. The natural presumption that would arise in the minds of the officers of the city bank was that Mr. Sutor had made some transactions with the La Crosse bank by which he was authorized to act; and by which the La Crosse bank had assumed the individual debt which Sutor owed to the City National Bank. If the defendant certify to the balance due from the La Crosse insists, the court bank to the city bank, because I hold that these items of a.ccount which are the subject of controversy constitute a valid charge against the La Crosse National Bank. This is a controversy between the creditors of two insolvent banks, and I think the loss occasioned by the wrong of the officers of the La Crosse bank should fall on the creditors of that bank, rather than on those of the Chicago bank.
In 1. ATTOIUiEY AT LAW-DISBARRING.
"6
WALL.
(Circuit Court, S. D. Florida. March,1882.\ An attorney may be disbarred for partlcipation in an unlawful, tumultuous, and riotous gathering, and advising, encouraging thereto, and taking from the jall therewith and hanging a prisoner, although no complaint under oath has been filed against him; and he would be liable for the offense charged against him by indictment in the state court, though no such indictment has as yet becn fonnd. 2. SAME.
An attorney is an officer of the court, admitted to practice under its rules amenable to it, and liable to have such relations sundered upon satisfactory evidence of dishonest professional conduct, habits of general immorality, or any such. single act of crime or vice as may show him unfitted for the trusts and confidence reposed in him as such attorney. S, SAME-NOTICE OF CHARGES.
. While an attorney is entitled to notice of the charges preferred against. him, and an opportunity to answer before being disbarred, sucll is sufficient. if it clearly intimates the misconduct with which he is charged.
IN RE WA.LL.
D. J.. It has been charged that the 'defendant, J. B. an attorney of this court, did, with an unlawful, tumultous, and riotous gathering, he advising and encouraging thereto, take from the jail of this county and hang a man, to the court known only as John. To this charge he has filed an answer, demurring to the action of the court because-First, no complaint under oath has been filed; and, secondly, because he has been charged wIth an indictable offense, of which this court has no jurisdiction before indictment and conviction; and denying that he counseled, advised, encouraged, or incited an unlawful, tumultuous, and riotous gathering or mob to take one John from the jail and cause his death by hanging. The offense in which Mr. Wall is charged to have participated came to the personal knowledge of the court. As the judge was leaving the court-house for dinner, a prisoner was brought into the yard in custody of officers. Upon his return in the afternoon the dead body of the same person hung in a tree directly in front of the court-house door. No legal execution had taken plaee. The evidence shows that a person, whose name has not appeared, was taken from the jail, and, in date vicinity of the court-house, hung to the limb ofa tree; that said J. B. Wall was present, went with several others to the sheriff's house', returned thence to the jail, where they took therefrom the prisoner; that he walked in immediate proximity to him in going to the tree, so along beside him that the witness thinks he had hold of him, and was then lost to sight in the crowd until after the man was hunged'. This is an action to dl'.termine the right of an attorney to retain his position as an officer of this court, and as such is instituted by it for its own protection, and the preservation of its integrity through the characters of its officers, and does not require the intervention of .a third party by or otherwise. No court is bound to await the complaint of a third party before investigating any matter touching misconduct of its officers, when information considered sufficient is received, and the circumstances demand its interposition. !-landaU v. B"ighant, 7 Wall. 540. An attorney is an officer of the oourt admitted to practice under its rules, amenable to it, and liable to have such relations sundered upon satisfactory evidence of dishonest professional conduct, habits of general immorality, or any such single act of crime or vice as may show him unfitted for the trusts and confidence reposed in him as such. PC1'CY'S Case, 36N. Y. 651; Hawk. P. C. 212; Bryant's Case, 24 N. H.155; Exparte Brownsal, 2 Cowper, 829; 12 Geo. 1. c.,29; 4 J:IeJ!ry IV. c. 18; Case of Austin, 5 Rawle, 204; McLaughlin v. Dist. LOCKE,
..
816
Court, 5 Watts & S. 272; Dicken,' Case, 67 Pa. St. 169; Mill's Case, 1 Mich. 392; Potter's Case, H. 26 G. 3 K. B. He has a right to an opportunity to appear and answer in his own behalf before a final judgment against him; but any notice, rule, or summons does not require the technical nicety in its allegations, nor the exactness of proof, of a criminal proceeding. Sanbo'l'n v. Kimball, 64 Me. 140; Leigh's Case, 1 Munf.481It is sufficient if the grounds are so set out as to give him knowl· edge of the matter with which he is charged, so that he may not be misled, and the true facts ascertained upon such investigation may ,be considered and decided upon. Randall v. Brigham, supra. It is true that the English courts have in some instances declined to take summary action against attorneys for indictable offenses unless conviction has first been had, but such practice seems to have been considered as within the discretion of the court at the time and not as a rule. Lord Denman remarks, in 3 Nev. & P. 389: "Would not an indictment for perjury lie upon these facts? Weare not in the habit of interfering in such a case, unless there is something amounting to an admission on the part of the attorney which would render the interposition of a jury unnecessary." Also, in 5 Barn. & Ald. 1088, he remarks: "It is not usual to grant the rule if an indictable offense is charged." Yet, notwithstanding a conviction, the question of guilt or innocence seems to have been deemed within the discretion of the court, as in Dowl. P. C. 110, although verdict had been found against the defendant, the judges still considered there might have been some doubt and refused the rule; and in King v. Southerton, 6 East, 127, nothwithstanding the defense was urged that the defendant had been convicted of an offense not cognizable by law, Lord Ellenborough remarked that "enough appeared to satisfy the court that the defendant wal;l an improper person to remain an attorney." While such may have been the practice in the courts of England, it has not been accepted by American courts; Anon. N. J. Law, 163, being the only case found when judgment has been refused on that ground. On the contrary, in Re Hirst eX Ingersoll, 9 Phila. 216, although the court, in the motion to disbar, say that "the offense charged-subornation of perjury and conspiracy against justice-is within reach of an indictment," they make the rule absolute dismissing one party and suspending the other during the existence of the court.
IN BB WALL.
817
In Smith v. State, 1 Yerger, 228, the information was exhibited by one of the judges of the circuit, and although it was alleged that an indictment had been found in a foreign state. no trial nor oonviction had been had, and the court remarks: "Law. administered in the usual. form, is tardy, and any course short ot special ministration would lose much of its beneficial effects. The mazy round of special pleadings, miscarriages before juries, and delays afford a labyrinth for the wily to take shelter, if not escape; therefore, it is not deemed prudent to allow one so charged the rij;tht to demand forms .of trial directly calculated to defeat the end."
In Fields' Gase, 1 Martin & Y. 168, wheJ;e the power of courts to remove their officers was under consideration, the court says: .. By change of venue and writs of error the criminal could easily have kept off the punishment for two years, and by this means put himself above the
law, if the court had not the poW'er of removal. 'fhe conviction. when duced, would only be evidence of the facts al1eged, and these facts the court have for this purpose as much to inquire into as the jury." "In thiscountry it WQuld most probably be unconstitutional to inflict punishment upon the person of the offender otherwise than by conviction upon' indictment. But tt,e removal frOID office being a civil proceeding not affecting the person, and being no bar to an indictment for the same offense. the findinll of a jury is not necessary to authorize the court to remove."
The supreme court of New Hampshire, in Delano', Gase, 58 N. H. 5, take a similar view of the law by disbarring an attorney for an indictible offense without conviction. In this action against Mr. Wall this court unqnestionably has jurisdiction, but in a criminal prosecution it has none. Can it be argued that it is then compelled to wait in its !lction for the movement of a foreign tribunal, and that it is helpless as against the local inactivity; neglect, or prejudice of the prosecuting officers or jurors of anyone county of the district? Such a view of the law cannot be accepted, and so much of the answer as demurs to this action must be overruled. The only question remaining to decide is whether a person guilty of presence and participation, under the circumstances, and on such an occasion, shall retain his position as attorney of this court or not. II he had been there in any other capacity than either principal, or aider and abettor, it was within his power to show it; but this he has not attempted to do, and the necessary presumption is of his active participation. v.13,no.14-52
818
REPORTER.
The slight difference between the language of the rule and that of the evidence is of no importance in this matter, if the evidence shows ground for judgment. The gist of the action is not the death of a certain individual as described by name, but the conduct of Mr. Wall on an occasion and ina certain matter to wbich I consider his attention has been sufficiently called.' He was in an unlawful gathering, as it was resisting the protestations of the sheriff and mayor, although it may not have been tumultuous. He denies having been encouraging or advising at the time charged. I am too well aware of his influence in this community not to know that his presence would be ample encouragement to others on such an occasion. It is not alone by words that one advises and encourages, and the fact of his presence and action is sufficient not only to find an encouraging thereby, bUG raise a presumption on his doing the same by words. The duty of an attorney is not alone to deport himseh as such In his professional relations, but so to demean himself in all things. For an officer of a court to bear about with him two characters, that of a supporter of the law, as a lawyer, and an open violator and temner of it outside his professional duties, as a man, is utterly inconsistent with the dignity of his position, and of the court that bestows the same upon him. The facts proven show that the transaction was not an ordinary crime, but a combination to lynch a prisoner, and in this, it is presumed, is the only explanation, though it makes a party none the less liable; the legal responsibility is the same, as is well known to any lawyer. It is true that Mr. Wall alone, of the many shown to have been en· gaged, has been called upon to answer, but this has not been that others may not have been fully as culpable, or from personal feel. ing, or inclination, or disinclination. This court claIms no jurisdiction over the crime committed, nor is it seeking to inflict a penalty for its commission; but it is compelled to protect itself against those who appear as open violators, or regardless of the law which it is their duty to support and defend, and he alone of the many has been found amenable to its jurisdiction. Lynch law, stripped of all the sophistries with which it is sur· rounded by the ingenuity of its supporters, is, in its plain, naked self, not only a violation of the law, but an attack upon, and a flaunting insult to, its courts and officers. It is an open expression, by those indulging in its execution, of distrust in the law, and an accusation
IN BE WA.LL.
819
of inefficiency against the sheriffs, jurors, and courts having the criminal and the crime in charge. Are we-is the world-to understand, in this case, that this community distrusts the capacity of the sheriff to keep a criminal in his charge, or the willingness and abili \y of the state attorney to prosecute crimes? Does it impeach the jurors of this county of honesty in dealing with criminals given them to try, and the court of inefficiency in dealing with cases presented to it? Lynch law either does this, or it is simply and undisguisedly a giving way to passion and revenge, and a gratification of those barbaric feelings which, mora or less latent, exist in man, and which are bound to be controlled either by the individual himself or by the law. The injury to a community by such is apparent. It tells of a weakness of legal authority, or a strength of willful passion that no one desires to encounter, much less be surrounded with, and the recklessness of a few ends in the injury of all. Reckless passion in one direction begets l'eckless passion in another, and from a violation of law in taking the life of a prisoner, an easy approach is afforded to a violation of law in taking the life of a neighbor or a friend upon the slightest provocation. Sections of our state are spotted with the graves of citizens sacrificed to this reckless disregard of human life in violation of law. If any possible excuse might be offered for mob or lynch law by 8. layman or ordinary citizen, there can be none for one in the position of an attorney; and while I accept the representation that in whatever was done there was no intentional disrespect to the court, yet the presence of an attorney' at such a time and under such circumstances can only be accounted for upon the theory of either a willful violation or an impulsive forgetfulness of his duty as such. Nothing, in my opinion, could seem more abhorrent to a lawyer, with such a respect for law as his professioushould imply, than the engaging in any such lawless outrage. In the case of Smith v. State, 1 Yerger, 228, where the charge was accepting a challenge and killing an adversary in lit duel, the court use the following language: . "By the laws of God, the laws of England from the days of Edward. by the laws of Kentucky and Tennessee and every land, he is declared to have been guilty of wicked and malicious murder, and a felon escaping justice. ls it possible that any well-balanced mind can for a moment believe that a man whom the law thus condemns is a fit person to be an aider and adviser in the
820
sanctuaries of jnstice. We are told that it is but an honorable homicide. The law knows it to be a wicked and willful murder, and it is our duty to treat it as snch."
Can language more fitting to the case under consideration be found? I believe it the duty of every good citizen, and especially of the courts and all officers of the law, to denounce and condemn such acts of lawlessness until they cease, and everyone feels that legitimate power is sufficieut for protection. For the honor of this court and the profession, as well as for Mr. Wall's sake, I would gladly declare that there had not been found against him reason for enforcing an order of court, but the proofs of a presence and participation in this act of lawless violence are too direct and positive to be ignored. This court cannot shield itself behind a defense of minor technicalities, either of allegation or evidence, without proving recreant to the trusts reposed in it, and it is ordered that J. B. Wall be prohi,bited from practicing aUhe bar of this court uutil further order herein. NOTE. SUSPENSION ANn l)[SBAR:lIENT OF ATTORNEY. The power of the court to admit an attorney implies the power to strike off his name from the roll, (People v. Goodrich, 79 Ill. 148;) and the court may either suspend or expel. (Ex parte Burr, 2 Cranch, C. C. 379.) Such power, in a summary manner, should be exercised with great caution. Rioe v. Com. 18 B. Mon. 472. Undel' the Illil1bis statute the circuit court can only suspend; the power to disbar is vested in the supreme court. Winkelman v. People, 50 Ill. 449. An attorney is an officer of the court, and may be removed for misconduct after opportunity to be heard. Penobsr;Qt Bar v. Kimball, 64 Me. 140. Any court of record having jurisdiction may suspend an attorney for causes specified in the statute. Mattler v. Schaffner, 53 Ind. 245. Where the statute prescribes the causes, courts cannot debar for causes not thei'ein specified. (Exparte Smith, 28 Ind. 47; see Redman v. State, Id, 205;) but in Michigan the court may suspeml or remove attorneys for other causes than those specified in the statute. (.l:fatter of Mills, 1 Mich. 392,) The application to the name of an attorney from the rolls shonld be denied where the evidence is conflicting as to whether he received the information which he disclosed, and which was alleged as misconduct. People v. &hu,feldt. 56 m. 299. An order to suspend or remove for contempt should ,not be made unless the offense is of a gross or serious nature. (Watsonv. Citizens' Sav.Bank; 5 S. C. 159;) and the matter. must be established before the rule is issued, (State v. Ki1'k, 12 Fla.,278;) anrl the rule must be served on the party, (Id.) The precise cause mllst appear in the order for suspension. State v. Watkins, 3 Mo. 338. An order of a t l'ritorialsupreme COlwt cannot be vacated by mandamus from the United States supreml1 court. Expart'e Secombe; 19 How. 9. 'rhe authority of the supreme com't will not be exercised unless the conduct of the court below was irregular or flagrantly improper. .Ex parte Burr; 9 Wheat. 529... ThedistFict court
IN BE WALL.
has no authority to disbar an attorney admitted in the supreme court; and mnndamus will issue to restore him. People v. Turne'r, 1 Cal. 190. See People v. Justices, 1 John!'!. Cas. 181. In Indiana lin appeal is given by statute,
but such appeal will not authorize the attorney to do anything which he is forlJiddeu to do by such judgment. Walls v. Palmer, 64 Ind. 493. The appellate court should not refuse to review the decision, although it will not reverse unless a plain case is shown. Matter of Wool, 36 Mich. 299. GnOL'"NDS FOR DISBARRING. An attorney may be suspended or disbarred for any matter showing his uufitness to practice in the courts, whether' it be a criminal offense or creates a civil liability or not. Ex pnrte Oole, 1 McCrary, 405. The circuit court has inherent power to disbar an attorney for an assault upon the judge thereof, on notice to such attorney, and opportunity to be heard in his defense. Beene v. State, 22 Ark. 149; Ex pa1'te Heyfron, 8 Miss. 127;· Saxton v. Stowell, 11 PaIge, 526. Unprofessional or disrespectful to contempt, will not justify disbarring him, conduct, though (Withers v. State. 36 Ala. 252;) but an attorney who obtains a change of venue by means of nn affidavit forged by him may be disbarred, (Ex pa1'te Walls, 64 Ind.-461.) So for violation of his official oath by not COilducting himself in. his office with lidelity to his client. St1'OUt v. P1'oct01', 71 Me. 288. Collision by a husband's attorney with the wife, to manufacture deceptive evidence to enable the husband to procure a divorce, isprufessional misconduct. In re Gale, 75 N, Y.526. Advertising to procure divorces without compliance with the requisites of the law is a ground for striking his name off the roll. (People v. GOijdrich\ 79 Ill, 148;) so where the attoruey substituted the name of his client for his own ill an affidav.it to procure alimony, his name was stricken from the roll, (Pel,jple v. Lear!!, 84 Ill. HJO.) Taking legal papers from' the files of the court must be stated with sufficient particularity to enable accused to make his defense. People v. 68 Ill. 151. Erasing the word" not" in a letter from a judge ad vising another judge to allow bail for one indicted for murder is it gruund, (Baker v. Oom. 10 Bush, 502;) so for withholding: from his client and his client's administrator money collected. by him, (People v. Cole, 84 Ill. 327 ; Kepler v. Klingensmith, 50 Ind, 434; S. C.41 Ind. 341;) or for refusal to pay over money to client, (People v. Palmer, 61 Ill. 255.) The institution of proceedings by one attorney from improper motives, and without jnst grollnds to disbar anoiher is misconduct. Matter of Kelly, 62 N. Y. 198. On being convicted of a felony an attorney loses his right, to practice in court without an order of the supreme conrt removing him, Matter of Niles, 5 Daly, 465. lIe may be disbarreu for the bribery of a witness., (Walker v. State, 4, W. Va. 749;) or. for a false oath taken, or .any unprofessional statement .made without a prior conviction for perjury, (P6n'Y v. State. i)' 10\\"a,.5:;U;) or for any frauuulent conduct. although not so gross as to be criminal; (U.. B. v. Porter, 2 Cranch, C. C. 60;) or for obtaining money by false pretenses in matters intrusted to him, (Peuple v. Ford, 54 lll,520.) The offense need not be such as to subject him to indictment, but its must be such as shows him unfit to be intrusted with the powers of the profession. Baker v. Com. 10 Bush, 592. Discreditable Mts, if not COllnected with his duties, will not give the cour,t jurisdiction, (Dwkens' GaM, 67 ra. St. 169:) .as attemptinK to make an oppositeattorlley drunk, (Id.) y
822
FEDERAL REPORTER,
Indulgence in vices not affecting his personal or professional integrity is not sufficient ground. Baker v; Dom.1D Bush, 592. So, ignorance of the law is not a good cause. Bryanf!s Case, 24 N. H. 149. An attorney cannot be disbarred for refusing in presence of the court to make answer in writing to a rule, upon the ground of punishing the refusal as a contempt. Ex paTte Robinson, 19 Wall. 505. Contempt of process and refusal to appear before an examiner is not sufficient ground, (Com. v. Newton, 1 Grant, Cas. 453;) but a threat of personal chastisement, made to a judge out of court, is ground for striking his name off the rolls, (Bradley v. Fisher, 13 Wall. 335.) ContelUpt and gross misbehavior in office generally are distinct offenses. Ex parte Bmd· ley, 7 Wall. 364. PROCEEDINGS TO DISBAR. Proceedings to disbar for commission of a criminal act may precede criminal prosecution therefor. Ex pa1·te Walls, 64 Ind. 461. Watson v. Oitizens' Sav. Bank, 5 S. C.159. The North Carolina statute requires a prior conviction upon an indictment and verdict, and it takes away the common-law power to strike from the rolls. Kane v. Haywood, 66 N. C. 1. See Ex parte Schenck, 65 N. C. 358. Such proceedings are designed to afford a remedy to the creditor to collect the money from the attorney. Matter of B1'owne, 2 Col. T. 553. An attorney's license cannot be suspended except on accusation and notice and a day in court. State v. Start, 7 Iowa, 499. An ordel' to show cause is the improved mode of procedure. In re Percy, 36 N. Y.651. In a summary proceeding for malpractice the fact must be known to the court by having :>ccurred in its presence. Walker v. Com. 8 Bush, 86. In case of malpractice out of the presence of the court, the proceeding is by complaint or information made on oath. Walker v. Com. 8 Bush, 86. For any other misconduct than contempt he can only be held 01). specific charges, and he is entitled to a full defense and an appeal. Dickenson v .]Justin, 21 Mich. 561; Matter ofMills, 1 Mich. 392. The court must order an information against bim and inflict the punishment, on the plea of guilty, found on such information. Fisher's Case, 6 Leigh, 619. An order to show cause why he. should not be struck from the rolls may be based on a decree against him on a charge of fraud or gross abuse of confidence, or it may be incorporated in the decree itself. Matter of Wool, 36 Mich.299; In re Percy,36 N. Y. 651. In analogy to the limitation of prosecutions for misdemeanors there must be a limit to the time for filing informations against attorneys. People v. Allison, 68 Ill. 151. In proceedings to disbar on the ground of fraudulently procuring admission, defendant is entitled to a change of venue if the jUdge is prejudiced. Matter of Peyton, 12 Kan. 398. A proceeding upon charges preferred by a private prosecutor is a special proceeding, wherein a change of venue for prejudice of the jUdge may be granted. State v. Cla1'ke, 46 Iowa, 155. Proceedings to strike an attorney from the roll for alleged fraud is a quasi criminal case and no appeal lies from the judgment, (State v. Tunstall, 51 Tex. 81;) but an appeal lies from a summary order, issued without compliance with the statute, (Ex parte T1'ippe, 66 Ind. 531; see Thomas v. State, 58 Ala. 365.) The charge should be clearly supported by the evidence. Matter of , 1 Hun, 321. The grounds of complaint must be brought to the notice of the supreme court at general term, in the first instance, which will direct an investigation and a motion if deemed proper. Matter of Brewster, 19 N. Y.
CAR STAIRS V.,MECHANLCS'
&;
TRADERS' INS. CO.
823
Supr. Ct. 109. :For malpractice the case should be free from doubt. People v. Ik,)'vey, 41 Ill. 277. Notice of grounds of complaint and an opportunity to be heard must be given to the accused. Ex parte Robinson, 19 Wall. 505. Where motion is made to suspend and issue joined, defendant is entitled to a trial by.jury. Reilly v. Oavanaugh, 32 Ind. 214. In such proceedings, where the charges are denied, the common-law rules of evidence apply. In re Eldridge, 82 N. Y. 161. For fraudulently misleading his client, there must be proof of the fraud tending to mislead. Barker's Case, 49 N. H. 195.-rED·
'JARSTAIRS
and others v.
MEOHANIOS'
& TRADERS' INs. Co.
01' NEW
YORK.
(Circuit COU1·t, D. Maryland. October 13, 1882.) SERVICE 011' PROCESS ON FOREIGN INsURANCE COHPANY.
The Maryland legislature having requir every foreign insurance, company d doing business in that state to execute a power of attorney appointing an agent upon whom might be served, to have the same effect as if served on the company, and by the act defining" process" to be any writ iSSUed upon any action by any court, held, that a foreign insurance company, having executlld such a power of attorney, has agreed to be "found" in the state as fully as if it were a domestic corporation; and that service of process of the United States circuit court on such an agent is valid, notwithstanding the suit may be upon a cause of action of which the state courts could not take jurisdiction, because of an act of the legislature restricting their jUrisdiction, in suits against foreign corporations, to cases where the plaintiff is a citizen, or the cause of action lias arisen within the state.
John H. Thomas, for plaintiffs. John S. Tyson, for defendant. MORRIS, D. J. The defendant moves the court to dismiss this suit service of process, because the defendant, at the time of the was not found in this district, and becalilse the service of process on Henry Tolle was not a lawful service on the defendant corporation. The plaintiffs are citizens and residents of Pennsylvania, and the defendant is a corporation of the state of New York, and the policy of insurance, which is the cause of action, was not executed or delivered in Maryland. Before the issuing of the policy sued on, the defendant corporation, for the purpose of being authorized under the laws of Maryland to take risks and transact the business of insurance in this state, executed and filed with the insurance commissioner of Maryland a power of attorney to Henry Tolle, a citizen and resident of Maryland, in compliance with provisions of article 42, § 4, of the Maryland Revised Code, regulating insurance companies.· This