The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-03
SEN. MARTIN DEAD.


Until that time the body will lie in
state at the family residence and may
| be viewed by friends of the family.
Captain Waters Tribute.
Captain J. G. Waters today wrote
| the following brief story of the life and
| character of late Senator Martin:
John Martin was born in Tennessee
and was reared and educated at Harris
vile. He came of high family and was
thoroughly imbued with every trait
that went to characterize an old-faSh-
toned genuine southern gentleman. On
the appointment of Rush Elmore, OF
Alabama, to be associate justice of the
federal territorial court, John Martin
was made clerk of it, and came to Kan
saS to fill the place, arriving in the
territory the latter part of 1854 He
died nearly so years old; his birthday
occurring in November. The court of
which he was made clerk, was COM
posed of Chief Justice John Petit and
Associate Justices Samuel D. LecOmpte
and Rush Gilmore.
He was made assistant clerk of the
territorial house in July, 1855, when
he was, as the records show, lawyer,
81 years old and six months in the
territory. He was a member of the
house of representatives in 1874 and
1875. He was the Dem ocratic nomi-
nee for governor in 1876 and was de-
feated by Governor George T. Anthony
by plurality of over $4,000. He was
the Democratic candidate for the
United State senate in 1877 and was
defeated by Senator Preston B. Plumb.
He was nominated by the Democratic
state convention held at Empor1a in
August, 1882, for governor by accla-
nation, but the platform being, as he
thought, opposed to a clear enforce
ment of the prohibitory law, he came
before the convention and in a feeling.
speech positively declined it. The con-
w. Click, who was elected over John
P. st. John by over 5000 votes The
last legislature honored the memory
of Click by giving his effigy place
in the national hall of fame. In Jan
uary, 1883, Governor Click appointed
him to be judge of the third judicial
district of Kansas, composed of
Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Riley and Pot
tawatomie counties and he had been
on the bench but a very short time
when he commenced to and did en-
force the prohibitory law, which up
to that time was dealt with largely
as joke. He compelled witnesses to
testify the truth and the jury to deal
with the matter on their conscience
and under their oaths.
His course awakened the judiciary,
and the people saw, with great re-
joicing. that Judge Martin was a fear
less we'll as q capable Judge He
had been in private life, an opponent
of that law. If Kansas is now a clear,
sane and sober state, and If its peo-
pie are in the habit of sustaining the
law to Judge Martin more than any
other influence or force is to be cred
tied as intoxicating obedience to the
laws and particularly that one. 1t is
said that Judge Martin was more
pleased with this part of his long ca
reer than any other matter in which
he took part. At the November cleo
ton in 1888, he was elected judge of
the district court as an independent
candidate over Judge w. c. Webb by
a plurality of over $500. He was
elected, in 1892, United States senator
to fill the vacancy originally caused
by the death of Senator Plumb, to
which place B. w. Perkins had beer
appointed ad interim. He served out
the term of about three years. He