The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-06-01

in Vermont" said Justice Brewer the
other day in the parlor of his A1assa-
chusetts avenue residence, but as he sat
and chatted informally for a half hour
he was picture Of good preservation.
He entered from the dining room hall
where he had just lunched and whence
the sound of the prattle of several
grandchildren was COMMUNICATIVE
firm step. The shoulders stopped slight
", enough to suggest the student, but
the frame was well shaped and not as
pOrtly as his years would warrant; the
face a little more plump than in earlier
times, but with the distinct delinea-
ments of a wit for which Justice Brewer
mas long been famous The large, ex
preSsiVe mouth; the absence of any
hirsute adornments which, when he first
came to Washington, concealed much Of
the fine facial contour; clear-cut features
and rich, low mOdulated voice were
prominent in the makeup of an interest
ing personality. Gray hairs have not
seriously encroached upon the SYM
metrical head, and the eyes. alert and
keen, but with we'll preserved men often
bearing the earliest indications Of age,
offer, perhaps. the surest outward indica-
ton that Justice Brewer is nearing the
Sixty-fOurth milestone. He has gravity
and dignity of demeanor that COMFORTS
with the high office he holds, but Withal
a readiness to unbend and in CONVERSE
ton and association to put himself upon
a plane with his fellowmen.
For many years / have been getting
up at 4 o'clock in the morning." said
j brewer. W0Gn converse
gave room for an inquiry about his
methods Of work Lately the hour has
been 8 o'clock, for I find I enjoy taking
more sleep My retiring hour at night
is usually about 10 o'clock"
When some surprise was expressed at
this early rising he added: I began
that when 1 lived in Kansas As a
young judge I was very ambitious and
at night I found myself dreaming over
the cases had tried during the preced-
ing day I did not rest well and this
troubled me SO much that I consulted
a physician, an old friend Of mine He
advised me to drop all work in the even
ing. In those days we had dinner at
noon and a light meal, our supper, to-
ward nightfal- was to go out in the
evening with my wife, attend the the
alter. play cards, or go to parties but
forget the law Then I might get up as
early in the morning as pleased.
Il followed his advice and gradually
acquired the habit of rising at o'clock.
I began to sleep sOundly and without
dreaming of anything 50 far as I could
tell. / got up in the morning with a
clear head and was able to do two or
three hours of good work before break
fast have followed that practice ever
since know many people do their best
work in the night. but my best hours
are in the early morning
Economy Of time and system in work
are Indispensable to one who accom-
plishes as much month in and month out
as does Justice Brewer. He works with
remarkable regularity and likewise
swiftly. His long experience as a judge,
covering all branches Of law and prac-
tice, and a very retentive memory aid
him very materially in these regards.
Justice Brewers opinions are written
mostly in his library, where he applies
himself with diligence. having law books
and authorities at hand After argu-
ment Of counsel the cases, it is we'll IN
derstood, are talked over among the
justices in consultation and the opinion
of the court formulated in the rough.
Then one of the justices is designated
to frame the written decision of the
court. supply the legal argument. and
cite the proper authorities
The real hard work - explained Jus
tice Brewer when this subject was men
toned, lis in shaping up the opinion a s
it is TO be written. When that has been
done the rest IS easy. I dictate my