Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 04.pdf/355

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The Green Bag.

Associate Justice Safford by Hon. David J. Brewer, in January, 1871. Associate Justice Brewer resigned on the 9th of April, 1884, to accept the position of United States Circuit Judge, and he was succeeded on the supreme Bench of Kansas by Hon. Theodore A. Hurd, who was appointed to the vacancy, on the 12th of April, 1884, by Hon. George W. Glick, Kansas' first Democratic Chief Magistrate. Associate Justice Hurd was succeeded by Hon. William A. Johnston, who was elected in November of the same year.

The present members of the Supreme Court are Hon. Albert H. Horton, Chief-Justice; Hon. Daniel M. Valentine and Hon. William A. Johnston, Associates.



ALBERT H. HORTON.

In 1887, in consequence of the crowded condition of the docket, the Legislature provided for the appoint ment of three Commissioners of the Supreme Court. The law, which is contained in Section I. Chapter 148, of the Session Laws for that year, is as follows : —

"Section I. The Governor of the State of Kansas, by and with the consent of the Senate, immediately upon the taking effect of this Act shall appoint three persons, citizens of this State, of high character for legal learning and personal worth, as Commissioners of the Supreme Court. It shall be the duty of said Commissioners, under such rules and regulations as said Court may adopt, to aid and assist the Court in the performances of its duties in the disposition of the numerous cases pending in said Court. The said Commissioners shall hold office for the term of three years from and after their appointment, during which time they shall not engage in the practice of the law. They shall receive a salary equal to the salary of a Judge of said Court, pay able at the same time and in the same manner. Before entering upon the discharge of their duties, they shall each take an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Slate of Kansas, and to faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Commissioner of the Supreme Court, to the best of their ability. All vacancies in said Com mission shall be filled in like manner as the original appointment."

On the 5th of March, 1887, Gov. John A. Martin appointed the following named Commissioners : Hon. B. F. Simpson, Hon. J. B. Clogston, and Hon. Joel Holt. When the terms of these Commissioners had expired, Gov. Lyman U. Humphrey appointed the following persons their successors: Hon. George S. Green, to take the place of Hon. J. B. Clogston, and Hon. J. C. Strang to take the place of Hon. Joel Holt; Hon. B. F. Simpson succeeded himself. The present Commissioners are, therefore, Hon. B. F. Simpson, Hon. George S. Green, and Hon. J. C. Strang. Under the provisions of Chapter 246, Session Laws of Kansas for 1889, the terms of these Commissioners continue for three years from the date of their appointment, the Legislature very wisely having re-enacted the law.

The Reporters of the Supreme Court since its organization have been five: Preston B. Plumb, afterwards United States Senator, now deceased; Louis Carpenter; Elliot