The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-03
WEAK JUDGE
IS TRAPPED
Exposed for Extorting Money
From His Appointees
ADMITS HE TOOK MONEY
Ruf Hioinoe II Moo for Tic
But Claims 1t Was for His
Campaign Expenses.

Evansville, Ind. Jan Louis o. Rasch
judge OF the Vanderburg circuit court. se-
knowiedged today that he had been guilty
of extracting money from sppointees in
return for Offices under his jurisdiction.
The acknowledgement came as the cul-
mination OF persistent rumcrs that have
been in circulation for several weeks
Impeachment proceedings are threatened
by prominent citizens OF Evansville and
it is reported that Governor Durbin has
been called upon 10 act in the matter.
The governor has the power to remove
the judge summary.
Immediately after Judge Rasch took
ONCE December l, it was noised about
that he had appointed d court bailiff and
probate commissioner for q considera-
ton These rumors gained dehniteness
and color as the persons appointed and
others approached relative TO the appoint
nents admitted that there had been talk
OF money with regard 10 the appoint
ments
Finally the fact was firmly established
that Judge RaSc-- had received 500 from
John a. Sanders. for the appointment as
court bailif. II was further reported
that the probate commissioner had been
required To pay 500 for reappofntment.
Acting upon these facts committee OF
members of the bar held conference aud
delegated a close friend OF the judge to
interview him Cor the purpose OF first as
pertaining what degree of truth there was
in the rumors and second 10 advise him
that he ought TO relieve himself OF insinu-
atoms by a frank denial if they were
false or 10 explain his dealing in the
transactions.
At the interview the Judge is said TO
have been surprised at the rumors. hut
he acknowledged even then that he had
received S2ao from Bailiff Sanders. Fol
lowing this the judge is said to have re-
turned the money 10 the bailir at once.
Information concerning the transaction
reached the ears OF indianapolis officials,
and they instituted q private investiga-
ton here.
Following the investigation the affair
became so much a matter Of public gossip
that Judge Raschs friends insisted today
that he make a public statement. He
said that he had accepted the 500 from
Bailln Sanders. but that the consideration
had not been for the bailiff. but as
voluntary contribution OF the bailin to
help defray the expenses OF the judges
political campaign. which ended in No
vember. He said further that after one
day he had returned the money. Con-
corning the $50 transaction. with Pro-
bate Commissioner Hawkins. Judge Rasch
said
He and ! We're talking over his ap-
pointment. 1t was agreed that he was 20
have the place. Finally. after we had
talked some time on matters pertaining
10 the procedure of his Office. ! suggested
that / was put TO heavy expense in my
campaign. having spent more than t9.0o.
| said that / did not know II | could de
pend on the appoiutees had in my jurls-
diction to help me pay a part of the ex-
penses Commissioner Hawkins agreed
that IL was just that the appointees
should pay something toward defraying
m ycampaign bill. ! fixed his assessment
at $50 and that of BaTin Sanders at
$3.50. The bailif could rot pay more than
$500 and / accepted that. But as say /
returned that in short time"
Commissioner Hawkins. according 10
Judge Rasch. Gid not pay any part OF
his assessment Judge Rssch is a Repub
lican He Is 80 years old and comes % n
prominent German family in southern IN
diana. His brother. Edward. retired from
the county recorders Office today after
eight years ineumbancy. He is almost
Frustrated over the exposures. His only
justification Is that he was acting in good
faith with his men. and that what he
received from them was In the nature OF
a contribution 10 the campaign fund
II is reported tonight that several Re
publican attorneys have had meeting
end that they are formulating a petition
20 Governor Durbin asking that Judge
Rasch be impeached. George A. Coming
ham the Republican district chairman. il
understood. has been retained by Judge
Rasch Mr.. Cunningham was seen to-
night and refused 70 taE about the mat
ter He admitted. however. that the mat
ter was in the hands Of Governor Dur
bin MI Cunningham Is a close friend
Of Judge Rasch and two years ago ~
held the position % district chairman.
while Judge Rasch was the chairman %
the county central committee.
-1f Aoan0 NcNccat sccEn1t "