New-York tribune., 1909-04-11
SECRETARY BALLINGERs VIEWS ON CITY GOVERNMENT

professor Of chemistry at Wesleyan College We
were married afte. I was admitted to the bar
Were you financially prepared for such an i'm
pOrtant undertaking." I inquired.
Il had nothing" Judge Ballinger replied but lots
OF nerve. plenty of energy and a decidedly hopeful
view of the future Getting married, however, was
the best thing that could have happened u me- and
gladly say that the assistance and compa panionship
Of Mrs Ballinger have contributed more to my ad-
vancemcnt in life than all have done for myself
Where did you go after leaving Williams Col
Iege?"
I entered the office Of S Corning Judd, in Chi
cago, as student Of law. Practically was pennI-
less read proof for The Live Stock Journal set
little type. wrote few articles on cattle and
sheep and did some collecting"
What was your first case as Iawyer?"
asked.
My father was publishing paper at Kankakee
H. and after being admitted 10 the bar l went
there to practice. Ny first client, a meek looking
man. was charged with bigamy. When I appeared
IN court to try the case 1 was amazed find
three OF his wives witnesses against him
got him off with sentence OF two years in the
pententiary. Just before his term expired he
wrote to inquire If It would be safe. in my iudg-
ment, for him 10 come out l guess he made his
escape. Anyway I never heard from him again
MOVES TO PACIFIC COAST.
why did you TO New Decatur. Ala -.
The brother of my wife and several of his
friends had interests at the South, and became
their business and legal representative The yellow
fever, however. drove me out Of Alabama I had
been thinking OF better field for myself and a
more healthful climate for my family and had de-
cided TO go TO Olympia. the capital Of the
State of Washington. Ny household now consist
ed OF my wife, infant son and my father and
mother. Olympia was not satisfactory. and went
straight north Port Townsend at the entrance
to Puget Sound. I had left my family in Alabama
"On reaching my new home, In January 1890, I
had $40, but no other property. either there or
elsewhere. / AT once formed a law partnership
with John n Scott the brother-in-aw of President
Harrison. In three months | sent for my family
and a little while paid several hundred dollars
friends in Alabama who had become stockho!d-
at my suggestion in a manufacturing concern
which later in-o bankruptcy
My practice, all things considered, was entirely
satisfactory, but when. at the end Of three years
I nominated for Judge of the Superior Court
Of the county | accepted the unsolicited honor and
was elected. While on the bench I wrote the law
book known 'BaIlinger Community Property
and later with the assistance OF my father, COM
piled published -Ballingers Codes and Statutes
Of Washington In 1891 after service of four
years the bench. went TO Seattle and organized
the law firm of Ballinger. Ronal Battle"
When did you meet President Taft
we became acqU l1nted while he Secretary
Of War and l was Commissioner OF the General
Land Office. I chairman OF the Washington
delegation to the convention which nominated him
for President and a member of the subcommittee
which wrote the Republican platform. During the
campaign that followed l served the advisory
committee"
How do you spend the time when you are not
at work.
AT home run automobile. Here ride horse
back / have bought Colonel RooseveIts famous
hurdle Jumper and cross country runner, and
psct 10 get plenty OF physical exercise"
Copyright. 1909. by James b. MorrowJ