The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-06-18
CONDEM THE JUSTICES.
Lincoln Post Adopts Severe ResoIu-
lions on Election of a Reporter.

At the meeting of Lincoln Post Sat
urdav night resolutions were adopted
condemning Henry F. Mason, Rosseau
"A. Burch. Adrian /. Greene, Silas Por-
ter and Clark A Smith, justices of the
supreme court for their action in VOt-
ing against B. F. Simpson, an old sol
di =, for the job of supreme court re-
Das ter
The only Justices who escape from the
condemnation are Chief Justice Johns
ton and Justice Graves of Emporia.
Department Commander P. H. Coney
of the Kansas G. A. r. read and ap-
proved the following Lincoln Post
resolutions before they were adopted:
Whereas, The laws of the state of
Kansas, in grateful recognition of the
sacrifices, services and sufferings of the
men who served in the army and navy
Of the United States in the war of the
rebellion and who have been honOrably
discharged therefrom, provided, among
other things that such person shall be
preferred for appointment and employ
ment to positions in every public de-
partment. and upon all public works of
this state, and of the cities and towns
throughout over other persons of equal
qualifications, and the person thus pre-
ferred shall not be disqualified on ac-
count of his a &c. it becomes mandatory
and obligatory on the part of such APP
pointing power to prefer and to appoint
EUcn SOlQIer applicants TO the POSITIONS
sought, and for failure so to do said
law wisely provides that whoever dis
obeys or neglects to obey the provisions
Of said law, shall be deemed guilty of a
noisdemeanOr and subject to impeach-
ment and punishment and shall upon
conviction be adjudged to have forfeit
ed his office. and
Whereas, This law has been upheld
in more than one instance by the su-
preme court of this state as constitu-
tional, wise and salutary, and in har-
nnony with the unbrolxen line Of decis-
ions upon like laws by the supreme
court of this nation.
Whereas. In the face of this law
and Of public policy, legal decisions
and glowing tribute to the men of
whom it has been said They need no
praise, who's deeds are eulogy, five
members Of the supreme court of the
state of Kansas tOwit. Henry F. Ma
son, Rosseau A. Burch. Adrian L.
Green, Silas Porter and Clark A Smith.
who had sworn in the presence Of Al
mighty God that they would faithfully
support and uphold the constitution
and laws Of the state of Kansas did but
few days ago violate in letter and
spirit this law and without sufficient
excuse or justification therefor, failed
TO appoint our beloved comrade. Major
Benjamin F. Simpson, a gallant soldier.
finished literary gentleman, former
member of the supreme court and
Tor the Office Of supreme court reporter
and instead, did appoint an embriotic
and would be lawyer, of doubtful and
equivocal politics, to a position sought
by our comrade being one of the high
est positions Of profit and trust in this
state and all this in open defiance and
violation of the laws of the land, and
Whereas, The platforms of all DO
Htcal parties now seeking political
preferment and especially of the Do
iitical party upon which these men are
to stand and seek reelection, expressly
declare in favor of the enforcement OF
this soldiers preference law to the ut
termost, IN letter and in spirit and
Whereas, Court decisions, however
honestly made. party platforms party
pledges, and the sacredness of the oath
Of office mean nothing to these men. and
BY their WantOn disregard and violation
thereof have evinced their unfitness to
be longer continued in Office by toler-
ant and lawabiding people. who demand
tnat integrity and conscientious observ-
Ance Of oaths and the laws of the land
eaall be the passport to public favor
and sanction and
whereas, This, the last and most un-
kind cut of all. serves notice upon tbs
benedciaries OF this act that their only
refuge lies in supinely yielding away
and disgracefully surrendering theil
rights and legal privileges or fightins
to maintain them while life to US re
mains, and believing that those mel
named merit no praise whose deeds are
lnfarny. therefore be 1t
Resolved. That Lincoln post No. I