Abilene weekly reflector., 1922-07-27
IS X Ilsr JUDGE
q. W. Hiad Tells Why SiIas Porter
Should Be Nominated

| cuOulu Dc INOminatc0
To the Republican Electors OF Dick
inson County:
l believe that the only motiv,
which prompts me TO write this opei
letter is the belief that il is my pa
triotic duty so to do.
On the first day of August yot
will be called upon to express youl
choice for the nomination of two
candidates who will no doubt be
elected and serve AS Judges of the
! Kansas Supreme Court for six years
The Supreme Court is in no man.
ner spectacular. The Judges, when
elected, quietly assume the duties OF
their Office and devote more hours
every year to the performance OF
their official duties than do any
other class of state officers.
On account OF the dignity of the
position held by judge Of the Su-
preme Court Il is, and always has
been, considered te. he in bad taste.
at least, IL not actually improper.
for judge asking reelection to
make q campaign In his own behalf.
-. William A. Johnston hss, been a.
judge OF the Kansas Supreme court
for more than u thirty. eight years.,
and yet think can safely say that
during that time he has never ad-
dressed political melting, or made
a campaign in support of his re-elec-
tion as, his term Of office has rrom
time to time expired. a., :.
! believe, that not, one voter IN
county out Of a hundred
could today name the seven judges
the, Kansas Supreme
Court, and assuming that you have
not sufficient knowledge or infor-
regarding the rival candi-
dates to be voted for or against at
fhe August primary, I take the lib
prty Of giving you my opinion on
the subject.
Judge Porter was appointed to fill
4 vacancy In 1905, and has held the
,ffice since that time. When ap-
pointed he was practicing law In
City, Kansas, and no doubt
t was something of sacrifice, from |
1 financial standpoint, for him to |
give up his law practice and go on
he Supreme court bench; but he
considered 1t a duty to
erve the state when called upon to
10 so, and having faithfully, and
With distinguished ability. ans
harged the duties of the office for
more than sixteen years, and being
candidate for reelection, it seems
o me that 1t would be not only a
,reat injustice to Judge Porter, but
misfortune to the state, If he
hould be defeated at this primary.
nder the prevailing circumstances.
/ cannot express my opinion re-
arding Judge Porter more concisely,
+ better in any way than to quote
rhat William Allen White has said.
s follows:
II have known Silas Porter, Jus
Ice OF the State Supreme Court, for
hirty years. / first met him when
e was an attorney in western Kan
as. knew him when he was one
{ the leading attorneys Of Kansas
'ity, Kansas, and lawyer Of re-
own all over the Mississippi
alley. I have known him as n
ldge Of the State Supreme Court,
nd in all Of these places and posi-
ons he has been courteous, con- [
cientious, wise and capable man. I.
n honest lawyer, and n good Judge"
l will add that have never heard {
.om any source even AN intima tion {
lat Judge Porter ! is not in every /,
'spect fit and qualified to continue t
discharge the duties of his office a
Id the only reason that there is 8
al opposition to his nomination at t
is time, is the fact that a politi- l
an covets his place. p
i also believe that no one should
state to vote for Judge West, and s
at the nomination and election Of !,
8 competitor would be public ca n,
nifty. I" IL
wv q w EIIIRD Ii,