Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-23
CALLED TO ACCOUNT
Judge Kimball Objected to Lawyer Jones
Public Speech.
Took Mr.. Jones to Task In Court-An
Apology Not Forthcoming
Amicable Ending.

Thomas L. Jones, a colored lawyer, came
near being disbarred from practice before
Judge Kimball today for remarks he made
concerning the court at the indignation
meetings recently held for the purpose of
denouncing the killing of Reuben Foster
by Policeman Green. When the lawyer
made his appearance in case and said not
guilty for his clients, Judge kimball called
a halt in the proceedings and called the
lawyer to account for what he had said at
the meetings. The judge said he had read
the speeches in the newspapers, and had
been thinking over the matter. He had
not heard of any denial Of what was print
ed, and as the lawyer had attacked the
dignity and justice of the court without
any excuse or justification, he had con-
cluded that unless he made an apology or
disclaimed what was attributed to him, he
could not practice before him. The mat
ter, the judge said, came out in such
form that he felt it his duty to take some
action. So far as he was personally con-
cerned, he said, he cared nothing for the
lawyers individual opinion. but when he
attempted to assail the court, it was anolh-
er matter.
Lawyer Jones said he did not feel that
he should apologize for what he had said
He had made the speeches, and by way of
Illustration had cited several Senteno eS
winch mad been imposed by the court, but
he had not mentioned the name of the
judge, for reasons best known 10 himself
Judge Kimball said Mr. Jones had not COW
cred the whole ground, and called the law
yer's attention to one statement to the eff
feet that he had charged the court with
prejudice and with conyicting negroes with
out evidence.
Mr.. Jones said he had only passed such
criticism as he would pass on the President
10 tcn1 nf rra1 1,.,,-
ing made use of the language attributed
to him, and said:
81 don't think it my duty here to apollo
gize. I'm afraid of nothing 1 have said,
and if the court differs with me it's only
one individual differing with another
He added that he. would look into the
matter and If he saw any reason for
changing his mind he would, of course, be
only too glad to do it,;
Judge KimEaI said he did not mean to
say that persons could not express opin-
ions or criticisms concerning the courts
actions, but he said the criticisms must be
just.
Resumng, Lawyer Jones told the Judge
that others had made speeches and had
used the judges name as he had, but"
he said, IF am to be made the martyr
1 am willing to accept the position
Under the circumstances the judge said
he could not treat the lawyer with the
Difference and respect due to his position.
The judge also said that in dispensing JUS
all alike. He was still under the impress
sion that Mr.. Jones' remarks were not in
the line of proper or just criticism.
Il see no necessity for an apology" NJ.
Jones said, land if 1 thought 1 had to
make an apology merely for the purpose of
being permitted to practice in this court
would certainly refuse. Under no circum-
stances will 1 surrender my manhood. An
apology would make me less than a man."
Following this the lawyer went on to tell
just what he meant to convey when he
made the speeches. He said he had eX-
planned that the court had been imposed
upon by witnesses, especially policemen,
and cited one case in which he said a po-
liceman who drinks whisky had used pro-
family in the court building.
IF that was your meaning" said the
court, mo apology is necessa ry."
The lawyer, continuing, said that his re-
marks were made for the purpose of Illus
trating some point and he had also spoken
of the judges temperance views figuring in
sentences.
After further explanations Judge Kimball
said that if the speaker had impugned the
honor or Justice of the court he would have
gone beyond the bounds of proper criticism.
but his explanation was satisfactory and
the matter ended:
Lawyer Jones then defended his clients.