The Canton Times

An Upright Judge.

We plead guilty to a high personal regard for the object of this commendation, but aside from the pleasure of noting the advance of an appreciated personal friend and the reputation he is winning as an able jurist, as one who loves his State we are gratified to see the people applauding the absolutely clean and upright record of Judge Robert Powell of old Madison.

This is no surprise to those who know Judge Powell, that his name is being written high upon the unsullied page of fame as a man of ability, convictions and integrity in character but it is none the less pleasing to see those so quick to charge his appointment to his high and honored position as only that of a politician now forced to acknowledge that his judicial career has shown that not only does he fully appreciate the obligations of his office but he has the manhood to discharge its duties without regard to fear or favor. If a politician before his appointment, with being struck with the judicial ermine he became the upright judge owning no friends save truth and justice. That he is a loyal devotee to the Governor, none can question, but he is not a man to be bought by official honors but placing principle above all else he shines as a bright star in the myriads of appointments that have fallen to the present chief executive. And not only has he shown himself a true man, a fact about which his friends had no uneasiness, but in the exercise of his official duties there has fallen to his lot to unravel some of the knottiest problems that have arisen to disturb court circles of the State, and his decisions, masterpieces in intelligence, clear and sound in their reasoning, have met as well the endorsement of the higher courts as the approval of the intelligence of the State. And the end is not yet; the eyes of the people are upon him and the future holds for him greater but not more lasting honors.—Biloxi Review.