The Osceola times., 1882-06-03
THE BIG WIGS.
A Look at the Men Who Compose the
Court OF Last Resort.
Cor. Philadelphia Pres

A Look at the Men Who Compose the
Court OF Last Resort.
Cor. Philadelphia Press
dropped in on the Supreme Court a
day OF two ago. What a Jolly old set
There was the Chief Justice, with iron
gray hair, thick and stiff, and whiskers
Just the same, big nose and big mouth,
wrapped in black silk gown, but looking
very little like a Chief Justice. But he
attends to his business, leaves politics to
the dogs, and is respected by his associ-
ates. On his right, Oldest in commission
OF any one on the bench, is Justice Mil
Ter, round and fat, and GA, little bald.
and closely-shaven face. On the bench
he is as cross as hatchet, for he hates
circumlocution and shams land half the
bar is made of them); but of the bench
he is asjolly, and kind, and gentle as any
man you ever saw. He has been regard
ed for ten years the ablest man on the
bench. The three last appointments on
the bench may change this, but | doubt
it.
On the Chief Justices left is Justice
Field, appointed as republican, but now
pesky old democrat. He is tall, bald
headed, spectacled, full-bearded, with a
Jewish cast of countenance. Smart he
is, too, as all the Fields are. He writes
strong opinions and is popular. he is a
most entertaining companion, and great
traveller and scholer DRINK Yes. once
in while. Miller and Field, respective
ly, are the two Oldest judges in commits
sion on the bench. Justice Bradley is
the next IN point of rank thin, refined,
closely .shaven, gray haired, scholarly,
judicial-looking old gentleman who
doesn't seem TO have much TO say to any
one. Justice Harlan, fourth in rank lex
cepting of course, the Chief Jnstice), is a
specimen kentuckian-a giant in his way.
Big body, big head, big hands, big feet,
long legs, long arms and long.heaaed,
without doubt. He is at least six feet
six inches in height. He rents furnish
ed house from friend of mine, and my
friend had to have made, especially for
the great kentuckian, nine-foot bed
stead, with mattresses, blankets, sheets,
= etc, to correspond, and also one for the
son of the Judge, who is as tall. Judge
Harlan was strong acquisition to the
bench, and is popular on the bench and
off, Chew tobacco, did you say? Well,
/ should think So and he knows glass
of Bourbon when he tastes it, There is
not much known of Justice Woods. He
is a grizzly. slouching man, whose per-
sonal bearing and appearance are not at
all striking. He is a judge by appoint
ment, but he doesn't look like one. JUS
tice Stanley Matthews is built on a big
model, physically and mentally. As an
intellectual force he scarcely has supe-
rior on the bench. He is quiet in his in
tercourse; and does not seem to care to
extend his acquaintance. Justice Gray
is tall, white haired, peppery old bach
elor, who snaps up every body and had
rather quarrel than win cause. When
he first came on the bench here he was
nearly killed with heavy eating and
drinking, but that time is over. As the
old Judges are very tenacious of the rights
of seniors he is not likely to he popular.
Justice Blatcbford, the last appointment,
looks like your own George w. Chllds,
and is. therefore, clean, genial, afiabie,
well-dressed and kindly-natured-else
looks do not count
Chief Justice White lives in hand
some house on Rhode Island avenue;
Judge Miller owns a house on Mas achu-
sets avenue. Judge Field has large,
well.huilt house on Capi ol Hill-a pres
ent from his brother Cyrus-a por ION OF
what was once known a. the old Capital
Prison. In this building Clay presided
three terms az speaker of the house; in
front of it James Monroe and John tluin-
cy Adams were inaugurated President.
John c. Calhoun died in it. Judge Brad
ley owns and occupies the house on
street which was given to Gen. Grant, and
from which be was first inaugurated.
Gen. Sherman then became the owner;
and from him Judge Bradley purchased
it, Judge Harlan lives in costly rented
house; Judge Woods boards on & street;
Judge Matthews is building very i'm
posing and costly mansion on C)nnecti-
cut avenue, opposite the British Legation.
Judge Gray boards at Wormley's; and
Judge Blatchfoid has just purchased a
$4,000 house on X street The mu'a
tlons of tue affect even the supreme
court for of the bench twenty years ago,
not a single Judge remains--sll dead.
Only two judges of the bench of twelve
wears ago remain namely: Miller and
l'ield-a the others are dead, except
Davis. now in the senate, and Swayne,