The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-01
Chief Justice JOhnstOn's %
Years. Judicial Service.
Has Made a Brilliant Record as
a Jurist.
POPULAR In STATE.
Enjoys Many Acquaintance
Among Business Men.
Will Be Guest of Honor at a
Dinner Tomorrow Night.

It was just twenty-five years ago to-
day that Chief Justice w. A. Johnston
took his place at the bench of the SUI
preme court of the state of Kansas, SO
this day might be called the golden an
niversary cf his judgeship.
For a quarter of a century this able
Judge and amiable man has sat in the
councils of the court of last resort. He
has reaped the highest honors of his
profession in this state and during all
the years he has borne them with
credit to himself and the state. 1t is
easier to win honor than it is to keep
1t. Easier to achieve fame than to keep
the shield bright and clear.
There are so many brilliant men in
the world and so few who wear well.
This last is a homely phrase but it
means more than anything else in this
vale of hope and tears. All men are
measured by its immutable standard.
The test of time is the severest test of
all. Only strong moral character and
staunch fibre of manhood can wear well
when rubbed by the angles of life AMI
worn by the years.
Cheers on election night are nothing
but a temporary outburst and may
change to Kisses in a day. but public
trust held for a decade with dignity and
honor, this Is wearing well, and it wins
n respect ana love as enduring as time
The bride lives on loves promises, but
the woman's future happiness depends
on whether or not the groom wears
well. Real friendships exist only be-
tween men who wear we'll The ricn
man excites envy and is surrounded by
sycophants who disappear when his
wealth takes wings; the man of talent
has admirers who forget him in his adj
versity; the genius has his day of
triumph and his years of gloom. But
love in his community. and it is always
so; there is no if nor an; no alterna-
tive
Justice Johnston still holds his
place on the bench. He has helped
kill hundreds of laws and sustained as
many more. Property amounting to
millions has been apportioned among
litfgants under his decision and that
of his associates. He has had a part
in sending many men to prison and
ow of the iron gStes. He is the
mouthpiece of the Aw, applying it to
straightGn out the tangled web for
his people. His voice has spoken for
dumb and silent lines. giving ex-
preston to their intentions. Yet all
these years spent in reading books,
passing judgment and striking ball
ances between good and evil have
had no apparent effect upon this re-
markable man. He has worn well.
he IS just DIS klnulN anu DTOdQ anu
happy as he was when he VOL his
place. His sense of humor (man's
most blessed gift) is as keer as it
ever was. His gentleness has re-
manned the same through a quarter of
a century of power. His judgment
has ripened with the years. His love
of sentiment has always been greater
than his love of money He has
kept in touch with the affairs of the
everyday life of his community and
result hoc honT nv
the schisms of the law or the
seclusion of the library. His per-
sonality is lovable and this serves to
illuminate his splendid record as a
judge.
Justice Johnston takes a leading
part at a literary club meeting and
joins heartily in the spirit of a days
outing in the country. He has as many
friends among business as pro-
fessional men and among young as
old men. He rarely ever misses a
baseball game in the good old sum
mer time and knows as much about
the Western league batting averages
as he does about the Kansas statutes
1t is these things that have kept his
heart young and his mind broad and
strong during the % years of
wearisome work as a Justice Of the
supreme court.
No wonder he wears we'll while
holding the most responsible and try
ing place in the service of the state
for decade. He has mixed human
life and love with his law books He
has tempered justice with kindness
He has never allowed wisdom and
fame and dignity to crowd out alto
gether the impulses of youth and to-
day he is happier, has more friends,
clearer perceptions, better under
standing and is more valuable to his
state than he was twenty years ago