The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-01-14
THE SUPREME TRIBUNAL.

Interesting chat Anent Ger Great Judicial gouH-
tain-Iiead-Iuiieiai Digaity-Coari Costume. etc.
The Washington correspondent of the
Chicago Tribune gossips rs follows about
the United States Supreme Court and
the Judges composing it:
Those who traverse the great thor
oughfare which runs north and south
through the Capitol, connecting the two
Houses of Congress, pass Il doorway
about midway between the Senate
Chamber and the Rotunda. Over it is
a gilded shield, on which are the armo-
rial bearings of the United States; and
at its side sits an elderly dignified dar-
key, evidently impressed with the i'm
portance of his occupation. This door
leads into the Supreme Court room,
which was the Senate Chamber until the
Senators moved into their present quar-
ters, in 1860 1t is Il semi-circuIar hall.
of fine proportions-the massive mahog-
any ''bench" occupying the chord ot
the are, while the ''bar" rails off broad
strip around the exterior, for the public.
At one end of the bench, and at right
angles with it, is the desk of the Clerk;
and opposite to him sits the Marshal of
the Court. Before tine bench are tables
and chairs for the counsel and for mem-
bers of the bar
Around the walls, on brackets, are
busts of the deceased Chief Justices,
except fancy and Chase. Senator Sum
ner. who could not forget the ''Dred-
Scott deeision," prevented the purchase
of bust of fancy, until just prior to
his death, when an appropriation was
snuggled through in his absence, and
also bust of Chase, We're given.
The judicial dignity of the Supreme
Court is ponderous and awe inspiring 70
those WHO have their bumps ofreverence
largely developed. Generally speaking,
there are not, when the Court is opened
at IL o'clock, over half dozen Iawers
within the Bar, and as many spectators
within that inclosure. side door is
opened, and i'll marches Marshal NicoIay
formerly Private Secretary to President
Lincoln), followed by the Chief Justice
and the Associate Justices, wearing their
silk gowns, and following in Indian file.
AS the Chief Justice enters, Marshal
Nicolay wheels out, like band of music
at a military review, and announces,
loudly and with dignity: The Su-
preme Court Of -the United StatesI'
The members of fine Bar rise and stand
at ease;" while the Chief Justice strides
onward and upward to his chair in the
centre of the Bench, and his Associates
stand before their respective chairs on
either side, as if waiting for some onet to
say grace. When they are all in posi-
ton, the members of the Bar look at
each other, and then, gazing reveren-
italy at the Conrt, they bow. Their
Honors, the Court, looking benignantly
at the lawyers, return the bow, and then
take their seats. Ny friend, the Minis
ter from the Grand Duchy of Pumper-
nickel, says that this exhibition of dig
nifty and of department is not surpassed
at his home Court
The ancient retainers Of the Supreme
Court narrate. in sad tones, the glories
of past days, when their HonOrs used
never to appear in Court unless arrayed
in full dress suit of black under their
six robes Knee -5reeehes. black six
stockings, shoes with buckles. ruiiiss at
tie wrists aud on the bosom OF the shirts.
and hair powdered, with queues, were
regarded as obligatory. As the Court
dressed, so the members of the Bar who
appeared before it were expected to
dress, with the exception of the robes.
and lawyer who had the audaeity to
appear in eolored clothing, or with a
moustaehe, or wearing black cravat,
would have been sumnarily committed
for contempt.
Chief-Justice Taney was the first mem
Der of the Court who appeared on the
Bench in pantaloons; and since then the
other antique portions of the dress have
gradually disappeared, until the Court
now appear in plain black clothes, over
which they wear their robes. As for
the lawyers, they wear whatever they
please, but generally appear in solemn,
uDdertaker-Iike suits