The Daily Alaska empire., 1928-04-28
TRIBUTE TO JUDGE BROWN.

couple of weeks ago it was the sad duty of The Empire to chronicle the death of Juase Melville c. Brown who served as the last Federal Judge of the District of Alaska and the first Federal Judge of the First Division Of Alaska. Judge Brown Alaskan for hve years and for three years after leaving the Territory he practiced law in Seattle where much of his association was with Alaskans. Alaskans came to know him as one of profound learning in law, the sciences and classics, a handsome and court eous gentleman of charming personality and un- usual native ability. It is with keen appreela- ton of the and deep respect for his attain ments that we here reproduce an editorial tribute to him that was printed the day following his death in the Laramie, Wyoming, Republican; 14A In the death of Judge M. c. Brown, Laramie is again called upon to mourn the loss of one of her outstanding plo- neer citizens. Like Edward 1vinson, Judge Brown was unusual man. He represented the best sturdy old New England stock, and the yigor and the character that have come to be asso- cated with the men who came from the old Pine Tree State, Judge Brown pos sessed in abundance.
 vigor and activity marked his life from the early days in which he first came to the West In addition to be- ing profoundly learned in law, which was his chosen profession he always had an active interest in geological and min ing p~obems and the mountains and hills, both in the part of Idaho in which he once lived, and in this region, were known to him hrst hand Tor ne nad tramped them all.
 As a lawyer, perhaps Judge Browns most signal contribution to the history of his State his work as President of the States Constitutional Convention The average citizen of Wyoming prob ably does not appreciate the fact that this commonwealth has, in very real sense a constitution, and not merely document which is nothing but col lection of statutes. The Wyoming State Constitution ranks among the best in the Union of the forty-eight States. It is based on real fundamental, American constitutional principles. It is not over long, and it's provisions clearly and carefully expressed It is free from many vagaries and peculiarities Much of this due in large measure to the work of Judge Brown and his col laborators. He came to his task with the right background and with thor ough knowledge of constitutional prin- ciples and he gave literally of his time and judgment. The results one of his enduring monuments.
 Judge Brown was staunch believer in and upholder of any to which he gave his assent. This preemin- ently manifested both in his political views and in his church affiliations He was Republican by both tradition and conviction, and his loyalty to his party was unswerving from end of his life to the other.
 The same thing was true of his re- lgous life. He firm believer in the Christian faith and in the old fashioned variety of it. All the foment and ferment of modern discussion, the various controversies that entered into Christian disputatons did not shake the Judges faith in the least In fact they only tended to strengthen it, and to arouse in him pity for those who dered from it's paths.
 It was in his home life that Judge Brown found his greatest happiness and where his gifts most delight fully manifested. Here his handsome bearing and courtly manner showed to 7. perfection. His manner of greeting his guests. his solicitude for his wife and daughters, were always evident, and felt in visiting the Browns. that he had come into real home in the deep-