The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-07-07
A Close Range Study of the
Man
Whom the Democrats Propose
to Run
FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
Sketch of His Interesting Career
by Creelman.
Methods OF Work and Play =
Farms at EsOpus.
OR THE PRESIDENCY.

James Creelman, the famous special
correspondent. recently prepared for
the New York World the following
close range personal study of Judge
Alton Brooks Parker, whom the Demo-
Gratis propose shall make the race
against Roosevelt.
While the country is calling for in
formation about Chief Judge Parker.
to whom millions of Democrats are
turning for safe leadership in the
struggle for control of the nation. the
politicians of both parties who swarm
over the hill on which the capitol of
New York stands, the agents of cor
ruption, rascals in and out of office,
leaders of the bar and noisy petit
foggers, all have daily sight of him as
he strides through the streets of Al
bany between the Hotel Ten Eyck, in
which he lives. and the court of ap-
peals. over which he pTesides-
Even in this center of political ana
legislative intrigue. where the weak
nesses and selfish ambitions OF puonc
men are so soon searched out, TINS
strong. brave, modest man has not an
enemy At the top of the Albany hill
he sits. black robed. on the bench. At
the foot of il is the law office from
which David B. Hill is directing the
campaign to make him president of
the United States Yet men of all
parties. including his associates on the
bench. bear witness that Judge Par
ker. in the face of exceptional fiat
terry and against the pressure of
thousand influences. has maintained
the highest traditions of his great ju-
dicial office by his consistent aloOf-il
ness from politics. his simple, unpre-
tending dignity and his devotion to
his public duties
1t is not that he is colorless or
without ambition. There is no more |
warm blooded or aggressive man in
the country And he is known to be |
T,Te 81
lence is the result of self discipline |
and conception of judicial propriety |
which nothing can shake 1t is not a /
political posture, but a deliberate line
of conduct, which he has followed for /
nineteen years.
The kindly looks turned upon him |
in the streets. the Difference paid to I
him wherever he moves. without re- !
spect to party. and the frank admira- |
ton expressed when his name comes
up in private conversation in this cyni- /
cal and suspicious neigh borhood show 1
how fully his sincerity, breadth of
mind and modest independence have 4
impressed themselves upon those who
have him under daily scrutiny
Kindness of heart. drmness of will. /
cahrity in the Judgment of others, |
constancy in friendships. love of work |
for its own sake. neighborliness. a !
quiet scOrn for demagogy, self right /
eous attitudes or spectacular methods |
these are his recognized traits. He /
humor will not permit him to be
pompous. It would be hard to find |
man of more simple and wholesome /
cultivated jurist who has
always been and still is a successful /
practical farmer.
\ Man of Giant Strength.
Judge Parker is six feet tall and a |
man of giant strength His shoulders |
are broad and his chest deep. His |
developed by hard work on |
. "a nd nv Ia Ia, r -
ing, are the muscles OF an athlete. He /
slopes perfectly as a man should. from /
his shoulders to his feet, and in spite |
of his nearly fifty-twO years and his 1
light as a boys. and he can vault into /
the saddle with ease.
His face is that of a country bred /
man, strong and full of color. The /
eyes are large and of an agreeable /
brown; lionlike eyes but for the kindly /
expression One notices the eyes first |
and then the immense jaws and for /
midable round chin The lower part of |
has a powerful line and outward /
thrust that suggest tremendous will !
power The mouth is large and mas
culine. with a thick lower lip. The
upper teeth are big, fiat and white.
The lower teeth are smaller The
coarse. tawny mustache goes well with
the brilliant brown eyes and the red
dish brown hair.
The judges nose is aquiline. He
has high cheek bones. but the char
acteristic is not marked. His high.
broad forehead slopes back without a
bump 1t is a Singularly symmetrical /
brow. showing penetration, observa-
ton. ambition and energy The block
head is not large and is somewhat
straight. so that it does not balance
with the great jaws and the lighting
chin.
Nowhere in the face or head is there
a suggestion of craft. Nor is there
anything sidewise or sly in the eyes
They look at you straight The prac-
teal and logical dominate the imagi-
native Qualities-impulse is a slave TO
will. The lack of wrinkles between
the eyebrows and the smooth fore
head indicates a man who can con-
centrate his mind without the great
effort which contracts the facial
muscles
Judge Parker dresses we'll and al
ways in dark colors. usually grays
His ordinary attire is a cutaway coat
Of rough gray cloth and gray trousers
He wears a standing collar and a sim
pie black cravat, held by small pearl
Few men are more decOrouS or care
full in their dress. In spite Of his pas
sion for work and his many pressing
duties he usually dresses three times
a day-for riding, for business and
for dinner. And his clothes fit him.