The New York herald., 1873-10-14
THE LATE CHIEF JUSTICE.
Action Of the Supreme Court Bar-Eulo-
gistic Remarks of Revcrdy johnson
and Philip Phillips.

ana pn1l1p fhtlllps.
WASHINGTON Oct. 13, 1873.
The Supreme Court Of the United States met to-
day at noon. All were present except Associate
Justices Fields and Davis, the former being in Cali
fornia and the latter his way to Washington
Associate Justice Clifford presided. He said no
business would be transacted to-day as the Court
would now adjourn TO pay their usual annual visit
OF courtesy the President OF the United States.
The hour OF meeting would hereafter be at twelve
instead OF eleven O'Clock. The twenty-sixth rule,
providing for the calling Of ten cases day. would
be in force on all days except Friday. The Court
then adjourned.
There were present in the chamber Attorney
General Williams, Reverdy Johnson, General But
ler, Senator Bayard, Messrs. Carlisle, Casey, Phil
lips, Otto Pike. Ashton, Davidge, Durant, Bradley,
Pascal Merrick and many other distinguished
members of the Bar. 1t was heretofore announced
that meeting would be held to-day to take action
concerning the death OF Chief Justice Chase.
On motion Of Mr.. Carlisle Mr.. Reyerdy johnson
presided as Chairman and ID. w. Middleton, the
Clerk OF the Court, acted as Secretary.
Mr.. Johnson, IN the course OF his address on
judge Of even q State Court is always great
calamity, but the death OF O Chief Justice OF the
Supreme Court OF the United States was q still
greater calamity, because OF the greater extent Of
jurisdiction and the greater Importance OF ques-
tions to be decided. He felt sure he could assert
with perfect truth that more able pure upright
justices than those which adorned this Court were
not to be found in any other country Of the world
and as to the late Chief Justice he was,
in oil respects, equal TO his predecessors.
When the appointment was made, though he had
high appreciation OF bis talents and ability as
legislator and officer OF the government, and was
satisfied that Mr.. Chase was truly, great man, he
had his douots concerning his capacity for the
took, for his decisions involving many delicate
and important questions growing out Of our sad
civil strife from the very first commanded the APP
proval OF the profession and OF the country. He
would forbear to even conjecture who was to sue
ceed to the Chief Justiceship. He be-
lieved, however, and he felt perfectly satisfied,
from his judgment OF the appointing and CONFIRM
ing power that whoever shall be the successor will
be found equal to the task. In conclusion Mr..
Johnson said some consolation was to be found IN
the fact that as father the late Chief Justice
the last high in the confidence Of his countrymen,
and he died as he lived-a Christian.
Mr.. Philip Phillips said he was satisfied that the
members oil the Bar had listened with profound re-
spect to the remarks OF the Chairman, and as these
no doubt found response in every listener, he
thought it unnecessary to offer any remarks, but
would move the appointment OF committee to
report such action as was necessary TO be taken.
The committee was accordingly appointed. After
an interval OF few minutes Mr.. Merrick reported
series OF resolutions euogistic OF the character Of
the deceased and rendering TO his family the sincere
sympathy of the meeting In their loss; and further,
requested to move In the Supreme Court that the
resolutions be entered in the minutes; and, as
further mark OF respect, that the members OF the
Bar will wear the usual badge Of mourning for
thirty days. The resolutions were agreed TO, aud
the meeting adjourned.