The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-06-25

county, has not had the necessary, ex-
perience as Circuit Judge and other
Iwise to better qualify him for the
nomination, is the opinion expressed
by those acquainted and familiar with
the legal training and experience of
both candidates.
Judge Ragland, in his race for the
Democratic nomination, has the almost
unanimous Endorsement and support
Of the members Of the Missouri State
Bar Association. Included is the
hearty approval Of his candidacy by
the st. Louis and Kansas City Bar
Associations for the reason that his
valuable experience as a member Of
the Supreme Court Commission paves
the way as huge asset for ascend
ency to the Supreme Court bench it
self.
Ten years of active experience OH
the Circuit bench Of the Tenth Judi
cial District, which fact made ex-of-
ficio Judge of the Hannibal Court of
Common Pleas; six years of trying
service as a member of the State
Board of Law Examiners, durin,
which period he passed the legal quail
ifications of fully 1900 lawyers now
following the profession in Missouri
and elsewhere; and a year on the Mis-
souri, Supreme Court Commission,
constitute the efficiency record of
Judge Ragland, his friends are proud
ly pointing to as the chief reason why
he should be rendered the Democratic
nomination for Supreme Court Judge
at the August primary, and be elected
in November.
John W. Dawson is practicing law
yer at Kahoka, Clark county. He filed
for the Democratic nomination for
Supreme Court Judge in May. He
was an assistant in the legal depart
ment of Missouri during the four
years that former Governor of Mis-
souri,, Elliott W. Major, was Attorney
General. In 1914 he ran for the Dem
ocratic nomination for United States
Senator against the late William J.
Stone and was defeated by nearly ten
to one. He must make Va better race
this time to land the Democratic nom
nation for Supreme Court Judge.
Efficiency Records, Judge Williams
and Williamson.
AS to the two Judges of the Su-
preme Court who are already nomi-
mated on the Democratic ticket to
cross swords for the high honor with
the two men the Republicans will Sc
lect at the August primary, Judge
Williams was elected to the Supreme
Court bench in 1916 for term of four
years, to fill the unexpired term of
Judge John c. Brown. deceased. That
it is the unanimous opinion of Mis-
souri, Democracy that he is entitled to
indicated by the fact that no one filed
against him in the primary contest
for the party nomination. Before he
was elected a member Of the Supreme
Court, Judge Williams was, since
January 8. 1918, a period of three
years, on the Supreme Court Commits
sion. His brilliant official record,
covering period of several years,
amply supplies the argument why he
easily will be reelected in November.
Judge Williamson of Kansas City
was practicing law there when he was
called to the Missouri Supreme Court
year ago through appointment by
Governor Gardner. He was born in
Carroll county, Mo-. educated in the
public schools and at Kentucky Uni
versity at Lexington, Kentucky. His
professional record follows: Admit
ted to the bar September 80, 1891, at
Chillicothe, Mo-; to the Supreme Court
of Missouri, March %, 1893; presi-
dent Kansas City Bar Association in
1912; member of commission appoint
ed by Governor Major in 1914 to re-
wise civil and criminal codes Of pro-
cedure of Missouri; member Missouri
Bar Association and American Bar
Association; practiced law in Kansas
City, Mo-, for fifteen years prior to
his appointment to Missouri Supreme
Court to fill vacancy caused by resig-
nation of Judge Charles B. Faris.
Never was a candidate for any office,
elective or appointive. He was mar
ried December 8, 1891, to Miss Lucy
E. Willett of Carlisle, Ky. ~ III