The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-02
BOOM FOR BREWER.
Kansas Jurist Subject of Presidential
Gossip at Washington

Washington, Jan. 2.-There is a small
presidential boom on for David ].
Brewer of Kansas, associate justice of
the United States supreme court.
Coupled with this boom, which was
started by Senator Burrows of Michi-
gan, however, is the question as to
whether he is eligible, having been
born in a foreign country.
Speaking of this. Senator Burrows
said:
Il have been thinking what a splen-
did president Associate Justice Brewer
would make. If the convention should
get into a deadlock, and begin to look
around for candidate, what better
course could the delegates pursue than
to turn to him."
Continuing, Senator Burrows said:
He is a great man. He would make
a magnificent campaign, if he once de-
cided to throw his energy into the can
vass and make speeches. He is great
jurist, a great publicist."
Justice Brewer was born in Asia
Minor. His parents were missionaries.
His mother was a sister of the great
Fields, Stephen J., the jurfst; George
W., David Dudley, and Henry M. He
was educated at Yale, and went to
Kansas in the late f1fties.
While the status of the parents de-
eide the citizenship of persons born
abroad, yet it is doubtful If technical
construction of the constitutional pro
vision regarding birth of presidential
candidates would apply in Brewers
case. The same point was raised years
ago in the case of Charles F. Crisp of
Georgia, who was speaker of the house
of representatives, 1879 He was a
most distinguished Democrat, and there
was much talk of him for president
Justice Brewer came into the lime
light some weeks ago by some declara-
lions he made touching presidents play
IL; L. h hn T1raCidannV
He wanted to make them ineligible to
reelection, so there could be no repet1-
ton of the talk there was going on
concerning President Roosevelt and the
third term The president and his
friends interpreted this remark to be
meant with offense to the president,
though Brewer especially disclained 1t.
David J. Brewer has been On the SUI
preme court since 1889, when ne was
appointed by President Harrison. HE
ranks second in point of service, justice
Harlan of Kentucky having served
about thirty years on the court JUS
tice Brewer is also known as one OF the
ablest jurists on the court He Is a
noted dinner speaker and lecturer, as
we'll as jurist.
Justice Brewer began his career as
city attorney of Leavenworth; was
then county attorney, United states
commissioner, probate judge, district
Judge, and finally associate justice OF
the Kansas state supreme court, which
latter position he held until 1884 when
he was appointed by President Arthur
to be Judge of the United States circuit
court for the Eighth circuit, holding
this position until 1889 when he went on
the supreme court. William A. John
ston was attorney general of Kansas in
1884, and succeeded Brewer as associate
Justice of the state supreme court. thus
beginning his long and unparalleled
service on the Kansas court.
Justice Brewer returns to Kansas
about once a year. visiting Leaven-
worth. occasionally Topeka, and other
points. He maintains his keen interest
in Kansas affairs, just the same as he
did forty years and more ago,