The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-29

Three years after the birth of the sub
ject of this sketch the family returned
TO America and settled themselves in
the state of Connecticut The lad
went through the lower schools into
the Wesleyan university at Middletown
and then entered Yale, from which his
father had been graduated, and be-
came claSSmate of Chauncey NJ. De-
pew and Mr.. Associate Justice Brown
OF the federal supreme court. After
graduating from Yale he studied with
his uncle, David Dudley Field, in New
York, for year. and then attended
the Albany law school,. from which
he received his diploma in 1858.
Came West in 1858.
Scarcely had the young lawyer
gained his license to practice when he
was seized with the western fever. In
the fall of 1858 he went to Kansas
City, where he tarried a few months,
and then to Denver Returning in
1859, however, he established his home
in Ieavenworth and began the career
which carried him step by step to the
supreme court of the United States.
Almost at once in Leavenworth he
commenced to attract attention. In
1861 he was appointed a commissioner
of the United States circuit court. In
1852 he was elected judge of the pro-
bate and criminal courts of Leaven-
worth Dunty. In 1864 he was elected
judge of the First judicial district. In
1870 he was elected a justice of the SUI
preme court of Kansas, and to this
position he was reelected in 1876 and
1882. In April, 1884, he was appointed
by President Arthur, United States cir
cult judge for the Eighth circuit, and
on December 49, 1889, he was commits
stoned an associate justice of the
United States supreme court by Presi-
dent Harrison to succeed Mr.. Justice
Stanley Matthews.
Interested in Education.
This is in brief tha story of I,iS Of
cial advancement. OF the years be-
tween 1859 and 1889 much might be
written of the labors and struggles
which were developing his great abili-
activities, however, was broader than
a mere application to the details of his
profession He had always and still
has a deep interest in books and educa-
ton. At his home in Leavenworth, he
served for many years as member of
the board of education, and for a time
was superintendent of public instruc-
ton. In 1858 he was president of the
State Teachers association,
and the work which he did for public
libraries has lasted until this time.
Even when his duties upon the bench
became onerouS enough for any man,
he kept alive his interest in the public
His name is a familiar one to
college students through addresses and
essays. He has received the degree of
LII d. from three colleges, including
Yale, his alma mater. He has not
buried himself among the tones of the
congressional library or forgotten that
there Is a world outside the supreme
court chambers. Recently he entered
the field of literature as editor of a
great work entitled, 1.-The Worlds Best
Orations," and he has never ceased to
take an active part in the statesman
ship of his country.
Lectured at Yale.
In May, 1900, William E. Dodge, of
New York, made provision for lectures
before the students of Yale university,
to be known as the yale Lectures on
Responsibilities of Citizenship JUS
lected to deliver the first course of
these lectures. Those delivered by him
have lately been published by Scrib-
ners' Sons of New York under the title
Of American Citizenship These lee
lures are interesting and instructive,
and the book containing them should
be in every public and private library.
No one can read them without great
er appreciation of the responsibilities
and obligations of an American citizen.
1t is impossible within the limits of
his article to even briefly sketch the
work of Justice Brewer upon the SUI
oreme bench. Lawyers everywhere
recognize that he is potent, Virile
orce in that august tribunal. His opin-
ons are often of literary character
closely approaching brilliancy, yet
hey never lack the weight and pro
undity which stamps them as the pro-
iuct of trained and studious mind. |
know and appreciate the !
influence of superior |
Utilities upon even such a learned and |
distinguished coterie of men as those |
comprising the supreme court. And |
is generally conceded by the bar of |
he United States that Justice Brewer |
las attained leadership not exceed |
d by that of any other supreme court
ustice for half a century.
His Capacity for Work.
was associated with Justice Brew
r for seven years upon the Kansas
upreme bench and had an opportun-
" not given to the general public to
onsiderate and 1ovable, and his So
ial qualities are of a high order. Not
little of his rapid advancement was
ue to his capacity for work. 1 re-
member of saying when he went to
Washington that if his colleagues
hould happen into his chamber at I
clock some morning they need not
Re surprised if they found him elbow
eep in toll. That was his habit when
member of our state supreme court.
ret he works with great rapidity and |
AGILITY, getting quickly at the points
involved, and his mind is always as
lear and as impartial as the mind of |
great jurist should be.
Justice Brewer was not an applicant
or the position which he now graces
nd adorns. He earned it by display L
1g most eminent qualifications while Il
CRYING upon the United States circuit
ench. When asked to become can II
idate for. the office made vacant by
ne death of Mr.. Justice Matthews. he
eclared that "the Office was not one
} be contested for being too high and
acred.'' Still, it is interesting to re-
lember the story. current at the time
lat it was due to an action of his own
nat he was called to the supreme
encIa.ss According to this story Presi-
emit Harrison was wavering between
-enry B. Brown of Michigan and the
ansas man. The two had been class