The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-01
PORTER ON GOLF.
Brilliant Classic on the Classic Game
by Supreme Court Justice.

A new orator has arisen on the
Kansas horizon, and what is more he
is a philosopher, a Rosseau as well as
a Burke. Silas Porter, justice of the
supreme court, in his address at the
banquet of the Saturday Night club
last night, on the noble Scotch game
of golf. made one of the distinct
hits OF the evening, his wit, eloQuence
through and over every opposition.
Indeed. the club members finally sat
quiet and allowed the brilliant young
justice to proceed unmo1ested. And
this is an achievement rev, very few
of the best speakers in Kansas have
been able to place to their record.
The following is Justice Porter'S ad-
dress in full:
I suppose that I am warranted in
assuming that my selection to respond
to this sentiment is not because am
an enthusiast on the subject of golf,
but really in recognition of the fact
that I have undertaken, with Mr..
Taft and some others, to make the
game Of golf popular as a recreation
for American gentlemen everywhere.
For this opportunity to exploit my
latest hobby am thankful to our
amiab1e host and those who have
exercised such taste and judgment in
arranging the programme. A word of
personal explanation, however, is
necessary in order that you may
appreciate how much I appreciate the
honor of presenting the golfers side
of the question. 1t is only within the
past four or five months that L have
had any experience as golfer. Prev
ious to that time had never seen the
game played and never held a stick
in my hands. Sometimes, strangers
who see me play now assume that
they are witnessing my first efforts.
I am, I confess, but a novice: I may
say a mere novice; so much a novice
that the governors of the club to
which I have the honor to belong
have not as yet seen fit to give me an
that distinction, however, by next
spring.
The advantages of golf as a recrea-
ton are not merely that it affords
billiards, in bowling, or in basket or
volIey ball, but these are indoor
sports, and golf takes one outdoors in
the open air and sunshine. A bust
ness man may get outdoor exercise by
taking long walks and be vastly
benefited. Too often, however, when
he walks his mind reverts to the prob
lem that bothered him at his desk and
the task that he tried to leave at his
office he still finds with him. His
his mind gets no. recreation. 1t is
different in golf. From the time
don my red vest and other clothing
suitable for the sport and take my
until 1 turn my face towards town 1
am in another world. far removed
from the problem of business and the
dull, corrod1ng cares that vex a mans
business hours. world where
thoughts of overdrafts and un-
answered letters. and debts and cred
it's never intrude. The modern bust
ness man has wandered far from the
conditions which surrounded primitive
man. So much of his life when he
is not asleep or at his meals is
artificial He takes a car down town
he takes an elevator up to his cell"
he comes to desk covered with work
in a room artffcially heated steam
heated, overheated, always too much
heated. He is surrounded by all of
the so-called luxuries of modern
viliZation-e1ectric lights and bells
and push buttons, long and short dis
lance telephones at his elbow. He
hears the constant click of the type
writer. He is subject to hundred
every hour. He starts