justify it, which ought always to be avoided, except as a last resort to prevent imposition and fraud. 45. In fixing fees, the following elements should be considered: 1st. The time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, and the skill requisite properly to conduct the cause. 2d. Whether the particular case will debar the attorney's appearance for others in cases likely to arise out of the transaction, and in which there is a reasonable expectation that the attorney would otherwise be employed; and herein of the loss of other business while employed in the particular case, and the antagonism with other clients growing out of the employment. 3d. The cus tomary charges of the Bar for similar services. 4th. The real amount involved, and the benefit resulting from the service. 5th. Whether the compensation was contingent or assured. 6th. Is the client a regular one, retaining the attorney in all his business? No one of these considerations is in itself controlling. They are mere guides in ascertaining what the service was really worth; and, in fixing the amount, it should never be forgotten that the profession is a branch of the administration of justice, and not a mere money-getting trade. 46. Contingent fees may be contracted for; but they lead to many abuses, and certain compensation is to be preferred. 47. Casual and slight services should be rendered without charge by one attorney to another in his personal cause; but when the service goes beyond this, an attorney may be charged as other clients. Ordinary advice and services to the family of a deceased attorney should be rendered without charge in most instances, and where the circumstances make it proper to charge, the fees should generally be less than in case of other clients. 48. Witnesses and suitors should be treated with fairness and kindness. When essential to the ends of justice to arraign their conduct or testimony, it should be done without villification or unnecessary harshness. Fierceness of manner and uncivil behaviour can add nothing to the truthful dissection of a false witness's testimony, and often rob deserved strictures of proper weight. 49. It is the duty of the court and its officers to provide for the comfort of jurors. Displaying special concern for their comfort, and volunteering to ask favors for them while they are present-such as frequent motions to adjourn trials, or take recess, solely on the ground of the jury's fatigue or hunger, the uncomfortableness of their seats or the courtroom, and the like, should be avoided. Such intervention of attorneys, when proper, ought to be had privately with the court, whereby there will be no appearance of fawning upon the jury, nor ground for ill-feeling of the jury toward court or opposite counsel, if such requests are denied. For like reason, one attorney should never ask another, in the presence of the jury, to consent to its discharge or dispersion; and when such a request is made by the court, the attorneys, without indicating their preference, should ask to be heard after the jury withdraws. And all propositions from counsel to dispense with argument should be made and discussed out of the hearing of the jury. 50. An attorney ought never to converse privately with jurors about the case; and must avoid all unnecessary communication; even as to matters foreign to the cause, both before and during the trial. Any other course, no matter how blameless the attorney's motives, gives color for imputing evil designs, and often leads to scandal in the administration of justice. 51. An attorney assigned as counsel for an indigent prisoner ought not to ask to be excused for any light cause, and should always be a friend to the defenseless and oppressed. __Dallas. Wilkesboro. Twelfth District_ __ __ O. F. MASON__ STANDING COMMITTEES. ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP: Trenton Tarboro. First District.WILEY C. RODMAN, Sec-Washington. Tenth District---- J. REESE Blair_. Eleventh District__S. PORTER GRAVES. Wilmington. __Goldsboro. Whiteville. -Carthage. _Durham. Troy. Twelfth District__.A. L. BULWINKLE_ Mt. Airy. _Dallas. Thirteenth District. W. W. BARBER__ .____ Wilkesboro. Fourteenth District.L. L. WITHERSPOON. Fifteenth District..T. S. ROLLINS. Sixteenth District M. W. BELL _Newton. Asheville. _Murphy. |