New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-28
JUDGE RICKS EX1MINED.
SHARPLY QUESTIONED BY REPRESENTA-
TIVE BAILEY.
THE SUBCOMMITTEE or CONGRESS INvEsTI>
eating CHARGES OF MIsAPPROPRIA-
TON OF FEES


TON OF FEES.
Cleveland. Nov 27.-Under a most searching
cross-examination by Chairman Bailey. of the
Congressional Subcommittee, Judge \. J. Kicks
hestated this afternoon and finally pleaded
the force of custom regarding collection OF
fees. with the misrepresentation Of which he
is charged There conformation among the
six corporation lawyers who defending the
Judge ard lively tilt between M Bailey ard
Judge Stevenson Burke followed. in which the lat
ter came second best. The hearing was re
sumed at M with the courtroom crowded TO
the doors. Miss Minnie Lillis who employed
by Judge Kicks to make the record in the Brjse
cases. questioned by Mr.. Bailey. She testified
that she had signed voucher for SEQ for work
done by herself in making the records of the Bird
sell cases when. as a matter Of fact. she had re-
ceved s153 for the work. She received SOFA month
from Judge Kicks and work on the Birdsel cases
occupied about five months. This was after Judge
Kicks had been elevated to the bench ana after the
time he was allowed by law to collect fees as clerk
Virgil T. Kline. Of counsel for the defence. tried TO
confuse the witness.
Judge Kicks, NAV take the witncss-chair.
said Mr. Bailey "Will you please state to me your
understanding of the law regulating your compensa-
ton clerk?
"The law authorizes the retention by the clerk OF
Sc 800 year and office expenses the rest of the fees
collected going to the Government" answered Judge
Kicks.
Under what theory Judge Kicks. asked Mr.
Bailey. weighing every word and looking at the Wiz
ness sterny. could man earn & fee as clerk AFTER
he had been made judge?
The question had more the form OF a direct ac-
cusation than query. it embodied the exact
charges against the Judge.
Judge Kicks answered in a voice scarcely audible
that A judge could only collect fees that he had
earned as clerk.
But" interrupted MI Bailey, here we nave
case where a fee ordered or collected whie YOU
were Clerk. The testimony that has been submitted
20 the committee shows that the records for which
YOU received fees in these various cases were made
after you became Judge. go It'll, ,,
II simply charged myself with fees while clerk
which | collected as Judge said Judge Ricks.
How could you charge yourself with lees not
earned . , 49, , ,.,. 40,
collected" protested Judge Kicks.
"Ycs. bu: here YOU were in the anomalous positl"i
Of collecting as judge fees that YOU had not edrnc
as clerk. The Ohio statutes are very Gear as 10
the ccrk's fees in these cases They state thdt no
fees may be charged for final record until the ""IK
is actually performed , 49,.
1T is the custom to collect fees in such cases
after leaving the Office" said Judge Kicks ana !
custom makes Law Your Honor" suggested
Judge Burke. -, .,
Not when the custom is contrary 70 the stat
utes." reiorted Mr. BAILEY. -, -,.
Thc evidence all being In at O'Clock. the commit
tee adjourned. after allowing fifteen days 10 judge
Kicls's attorneys i'm which 10 file explanations anu
briefs with the committee in Washington.