The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-22
JUDGE KICKS EXPLAINS.
Basis of the Charge that He Wrong
fully Retained Clerk Fees.

WASHINGTON, Jan. H.-Judge Kicks of
Cleveland. accompanied by his counsel, has
arrived in Washington to appear before the
committee of the House of Representatives
to answer the charges preferred against
him by the Central Labor Union of Cleve-
land. In answer to questions Judge Kicks
to-day said.
The substance Of the charge made is that
! have retained fees claimed by me by viz
tue of my former clerkship, which l should
have paid over to the United States There
- absolutely no truth in this charge The
whole accusation embraces three items. ag-
gregating some SIG, and in my reports as
clerk tor the year 1888 and the first half of
1889 charged myself with this very amount
as part of my compensation as clerk the
charge being made on account of records
n n what s,,, - known as the Brdsall cases.
offices - always many months behind the
disposal or cases, and in this way 1t hap
penec that the records in these cases, in
which had sc charged myself with SIG be-
fore actually receiving the same were not
completed until after my appointment as
to me, they amounting to $1,72015 For this
amount forwarded to the proper depart
ment OF the government full statement
and account. which account was SO reported
by me as follows:
"A. J. Kicks. late clerk United States
Circuit Court, Northern district of Ohio 70
United States debtor, to the amount re-
ceived for making final record in eighty
Birdsall cases, as per statements, 81, 7a0. Is.
emoluments for first half of 1883. the sum
of $3.50. By amount reported in last half of
1ssS: sum Of SIS, $2s452; by amount reported in
total sum reported s76s.79. BY amount paid
Miss Lillis per voucher. $500; by amount
paid Short & Forman per voucher, S4S rs.
total credits being $l115.54 BY draft for
balance due the United States, $6Oi61.'
In this account, as above shown, + re-
tanned only that which had then been
charged TO me and the actual expense of
making the records, which expense was al
lowed me by law. Having thus fully ac-
counted and responded to every duty of the
government in this respect. cannot but
regard the prosecuting of the charge as not
only unwarranted. but as actuated by mali
ctouS motives by those who have taken of-
tense at rulings made by me a judge of
the United States courts. am here at the
suggestion of the committee, and am glad
OF the opportunity to meet them face 10
face. have nothing to conceal in this mat
ter. and the facts entitie me to complete
generation. which | am confident will he
given me by any body of men investiga ting
the subject and becoming familiar with the
In concluding their brief, which will be
submitted tomorrow to the committee
Judge Rickss counsel says:
Gentlemen of the Committee-There is
no argument in crlticisng the source from
which the accusations come but il is a fact
well known in this circuit that fearless
duct and the destruction OF Interstate com
merce melted against the Judge of this DIS
trict the imp!acable hostility of certain
class OF citizens. Hts attitude howeyar
and his utterance on the bench have ret tn
approval or reviewing courts and Learned
legal authors. II IS the first t,r1e in the
history of the judiciary of the United States
that the discharge OF duty by Judge has
oeen made the occasion for an inquisitiou
into his business methods prior to his APP
only should the committee acauit Judge
Kicks of the charges presented in the me-
mortal. but should take pleasure in saying