The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-21

in the federal court, attained an en-
viable reputation in the United States.
He seldom has been reversed by the
United States courts superior TO the one
over which he presided. Judge Foster
presided in the trial of some of the most
famous cases in the history of Ameri-
can Jurisprudence. He was noted for
his fairness and integrity He was con-
scientious and honorable. He was a
Sympathizer with the unfortunate and
despised deception. These principles
often caused incidents bordering on the
sensational in his court The tricks OF
the profession were detected by him i'm
mediateIy and the lawyer who had
taken occasion to depart from the pre-
scribed rules of practice and decorum
was usually given such a scathing
lecture that he never attempted to re-
peat the offenSe.
Judge Foster was firm in his convic-
tions. He was an ardent student and
hard worker at all times. He did not
glance at authorities and then render a
decision. He studied the case; ransack-
ed the reports of similar cases; weighed
the evidence; investigated the cOndi-
ton; inquired into the circumstances
and rose above prejudice and environ
ments in his decisions. 1t was this
principle which made him the respected
judge he was. Judge Foster was in
clined to be a stern man. He was ex-
ceedingly firm and once his conclusions
reached nothing could stir him. He was
always conscientious in his official and
private life. He has the universal re-
spect of the lawyers and that is saying
a great deal for the judge of a court,
especially where so much litigation
takes place as is found in the tribunal
in Topeka, representing as it does the
whole state. Sessions of the court at
Leavenworth, Fort Scott and Wichita
only strengthened Judge Foster.
Wherever he presided he made new
friends, although he was modest man
and retiring in his habits and disposi-
ton.
Fosters life He was a man of deep
sympathies and the social fabric under
M m You'd ha8e 6ad it, Ths eN ea b
labor was being oppressed by the aggres-
ear OF Ge bee%ed ha he pooFeT m 5T
classes of people We're compelled 20 suffer
He believed in reforms about which
theorists talk and political parties evade.
an independent man in poitics, simply
because he at times chose to criticise
rather than follow the working out of
IDEAS of which he did not approve For
these reasons he was not recently called
into the councils of the party to which he
Judge Fosters habits of economy did
means. He was liberal in his allowances
to his family and enjoyed the pleasures
business dealings which he had the ut
most care was exercised Before com
property in Atchison. He now owns the
building occupied by Rowley & Snow and
He also owns anothers house on the west
side of the avenue near Sixth street in
addition to his handsome home and other
property in the city Personal attention to
the details of his business affairs and the
exercise of careful judgment in business
the same as in law accomplished these
things for him
In Topeka Judge Foster originated. or
ganized and perpetuated the Foster HUI
name society In this movement ne was
the principal spirit He conceived the
possibility of extendingi this noble work
in the west and his first effort was here.
Much good was accomplished and Judge
Foster manifested his interest by deciding
side of Kansas avenue Opposite the Cope
lang 1s MOTEL. fb Ihe deed for this property is
Judge Foster is dead. but the good he
and the wisdom of his judicial mind will
be impaired to the coming generati
through the decisions which occupy many
important places in the court repOrtS of
the United States; No greater or better
monument could be devised