The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-02

preme bench when the January term
opens next Tuesday.
The commission given Justice Atkin-
son by Governor Bailey will hold good
until after the next general election
next fall. Judge Pollock was elected a
year ago for a term OF six years, but
when a vacancy occurs the governor
fills it by appointment only until the
next general election. Consequently the
.coming Republican state convention will
kAave to make nomination to fill the
vacancy. Then if Justice Atkinson is
reelected he will hold the office until
five years from this month or January,
1903.
While the new justice has not a wide
acquaintance over the state, he is pop
ular where he is known, as is evidenced
by the enthusiastic support which he
received at his home at Parsons and in
the adjoining counties. The loyalty Of
this support had much to do with Sc
curing him the appointment
In making the appointment Governor
Bailey said.
1T was an exceedingly difficult mat
ter to make choice in this matter. In
appointing Mr.. Atkinson 1 make no re-
Election uDon any other candidates.
only regret that : could not recognize
the worth and qualifications of each of
four or five of them by giving them
EdCn d DlcCe. DQC II Is one OF those
things where / had to make a choice
and could appoint only one
I have gone to great deal of
trouble on my own part to satisfy nv
self as to the ability and standing of
each of the candidates. This is why
the appointment has been delayed. l
considered it nv duty to be careful in
the matter and not hurry it. particu-
Iarly as the new Justice could not sit
until the January term of court meets
After CanVaSGinor the Sit
believe Mr.. Atkinson the peer or
equal of any other candidate I believe
it the strongest appointment [ could
make. that part of the state had a
strong claim to the place. and I there
fore have appointed Mr.. Atkinson.
realize that the other candidates have
strong recommendations and ouaIifca-
t1onS for the place. and I regret that
have only one place to bestoW and
therefore had to make a choice be-
tween them"
SKETCH OF THE NEW JUSTICE.
William DeBoice Atkinson was borr
IN Dubuque county. Iowa, on March 20
1861, the son of John and Perm ella At
kinson, now deceased, and the third OF
a family of five children When youna
William was three years of age. he
moved with his parents to Jones coun-
ty, Iowa, where his early life was spent
in hard work on a farm, attending dis
trtct school during the winter months
At the age of IS, he taught the home
district school, and the following yeal
entered the State Agricultural college
at Ames, Iowa, where he graduated ir
the class of 1882 with the degree of B
S. He worked his own way through
school. and taught district schoo
through the winter vacations His par.
entS In the meantime had moved tc
Kansas, settling on farm in Neoshc
county. In the fall of 1888 he came te
Kansas. taught school. and in the fol.
lowing spring entered the law office Of
Walter l. Simons, of Parsons. Kan.
now judge of the Sixth judicial district
was admitted to the bar on December
6, 1886, and has since been engaged il
the practice of law at Parsons.
On October 13, 1892, he was married
to Miss Fannie Cooper, who was at the
time principal of the high school a
Parsons, and had been admitted to The
Labette county bar, short time befor.
the marriage. She is a bright, intelIi
gent, domestic woman, and while SHE
has never entered the practice of law
she has been of valuable assistance Il
her husband. One son was born t,
them, who died in infancy
Mr.. Atkinson has been a hard, clos,
student, and has built up a large ans
lucrative law practice and accumulateG