Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-10-29
JUDGE Fife PAYS
FINE RATHER THAN
GO To THE TOWER
Friends in Cherokee Circuit
Made Up $500 by SubScrip-
ton and Fine Was Paid Mon
day Morning


Judge A W. Fife. Of the Cherokee cir
cult. has paid the fine OF $500 assessed
against him by the court of appeals
for contempt of that tribunal, but re-
marks made by him Monday afternoon
indicate that his attitude toward the
court Of appeals is unchanged.
The fine was paid to Clerk Logan
Bleckley. of the court Of appeals. by
Judge George F. GOber. one of Judge
Fite's attorneys in the contempt pro-
ceedings. He was accompanied to the
clerks office in the capitol by DR.. r. B.
Harris, of Cartersyille. close personal
friend of Judge Fite. who raised the
$500 for the fine by circulating sub
scriptions in the various counties of
the Cherokee circuit.
Five crisp 500 bills were handed over
to Clerk Bleckley. who receipted for
them and immediately turned the money
into the state treasury.
JUDGE AT CAPITOL
Although Judge Fife was in the capi-
toll when the fine was paid. he did
not go TO Clerk Bleckley's Office. but re-
NAMED in the ofice of State Treasurer
w. J. speer.
Monday was the last day in which
Judge Fife had to decide whether he
would pay the fine or serve ten-day
sentence in the Fulton county jail 1t
was generally believed that he would
pay the fine. although some OF his
friends. knowing how bitterly Judge
Fite felt concerning the action of the
court of appeals. thought he might re-
sist payment.
Attorneys for Judge Fite and other
learned lawyers are said to have ad-
vised him that there was nothing left
for him to do but pay the fine or go
to jail. They pointed out it is said,
that no appeal could be taken from the
courts sentence.
Judge Fite was fined by the court Of
appeals for having written newspaper
cards severely critIcising the court The
Judge took exception to the courts re-.
versal of his Judgment in the case OF
Jerry Mccullough, a negro. who was SEN
fenced to twenty years for attempted
assault The reversal was based upon
certain alleged errors committed By the
lower court.
ars- WHAT HE SAYS.
Commenting upon his hne to the news
paper men Judge Fite said:
Yes. some of the good people of the
Cherokee circuit have paid my fine, and
no doubt many others would have con-
tributed thereto. if they had known Of
the movement, and had an opportunity
to do SO.
AT first, I protested against their
payment of the fine, but finally consented
for them to pay it, feeling that it was
my duty to them as well as to myself
to do so. as it shows their approval OF
what have done.
II may not know much law, but do
know that am no more in contempt Of
court than you are. Mr.. Reporter.
However. my case is now in the
the hands of the good people of Georgia.
and they viii take care of me and my
reputation"
Judge Fife says that one of his enthu-
siastic friends sent him ten dollars to be
applied to the fine and announced in the
letter which accompanied the contribu-
ton that he stood, ready to subscribe tc
a campaign fund for the judge to run
for governor.
Monday afternoon Judge Fite win leave
Atlanta for Macon. where he goes to at.
tend the Masonic grand lodge