In re Knott

The Couet. This is a proceeding to disbar the respondent for making what is claimed to have been a false affidavit in a proceeding to obtain a patent at Washington.

Apparently the affidavit was one which the respondent' may have believed to have been literally and technically true, but which was morally false, and was, in effect, an imposition upon the secretary, with whom it was filed.

We have before had occasion to condemn the practice which is too common, of making affidavits to what the affiant may claim to be the legal effect of facts not stated. They are often simply impositions upon the court. In this case the respondent was at the time young and inexperienced, and relied upon the assurance of an older and more experienced lawyer, that he could properly make the affidavit.

It was not really an act as an attorney in our jurisdiction, and could probably only be considered as affecting the moral character of the respondent. The accuser desires to have the proceeding dismissed, saying that he made the accusation under the influence of anger. We do not recognize the right of an accuser to have such a proceeding dismissed; but having examined the evidence, we are inclined, in view of all the circumstances, to attribute the fault, though a grave one, to youth, inexperience, and ignorance.

The proceeding is therefore dismissed.