Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-19
R. H. JOHNSTON A CANDIDATE.
Authoritative Announcement From C. C.
Dickey, Esq.-Why He, a Republican,
Supports This Aspiring Democrat

Authoritative Announcement From c. c.
Dickey, Esq.-Why He, n Republican.
Supports This Aspiring Democrat
No sooner have the local Republicans
settled upon their candidate for District At
torney-Arch Reward, Esq.-though, Of
course, the formality of nomination is yet
to come, than his Democratic opponent is
practically settled upon. That opponent, it
appears, will be R. II. Johnston, Esq. His
Republican friend, G. G. Dickey, Esq,
gives the announcement as follows, in an
interview, together with his reasons for
supporting Mr.. Johnston and expecting him
10 run well:
Mr. R. H. Johnston will be a candidate for
the Democratic nomination. have the best
of authority for it. 1 can say he is man de-
sired by, and will have the practical support
of the bar for the position. For the last eight
years we have had most competent man for
District Attorney-W. D. Porter Esq. The
bar desires to have worthy successor to Mr..
Porter During Mr.. Porters last two years
his health has been very. feeble, and
he has had to be away from home a
great deal, especially in the winter
having to seek Southern climate
During all that time, and in fact while here
he has called upon Mr.. Johnston for assistance
During Mr. Porter's absence Mr.. Johnston has
conducted the entire business of the Criminal
Court. For a portion of the time while Mr..
Porter was at home, there have been two
Judges sitting in the court and Mr.. Johnston
has taken charge of the business before
one of the Judges thus.relieving MIR. Porter of
Johnston has been so employed with the appro-
baton of the six Judges of the Court and he is
invariably called in by them when additional
help is needed to complete the business OF the
court.
Mr.. Johnston's qualifications for the office
are shown by the fact that as good
lawyer as Mr.. Porter, and our Judges
have selected him out OF 4OO
Mr.. Porter's absence. In performing the,
duties of his Office he has tried some of the
heaviest cases in the county, and been almost
universally successful. He has given satisfac'
tion to the Judges, to the Bar, and to the pub
lie having business in the courts. The Bar
has yet to hear the first complaint against his
integrity and fairness.
The Office of District Attorney is regarded in
the profession as quasi judicial Office, and
next in Importance, of all the county Offices, to
that of Judge. To administer 1t properly re-
quires as high talent as any employed in the
lawyer of experience, good Judgment and equal
dispositions; thorough bearing and integrity.
All these qualities Mr.. Johnston admittedly
possesses
His legal learning extends to the civil side of
the law as well. He was the master in the
Hite Natural Gas Company's appeal, a leading
case in limited partnership, where the Court of
Common Pleas reversed him, but the Supreme
Court, reversing the court below, reinstated
his report, and accepted his view of the law.
He has, however, made special study of
criminal law and practice, and probably has
the largest practice in the Court of Quarter
possibly. the Dean of the
Bar, Thomas NJ. Marshall, Esq.
He is the son of William F. Johnston, for
merly Whig Governor of the State, and, al
= 4ha,,rr -, hos hoo1a nef
fair and non-p partisan in his conduct
of the office as MI. Porter's assistant.