Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1883-11-16
WASHINGTON LETTER.
tFrom Our Rcguiar oorrespondent.l
WAatttNaToN Nny. 10 1g29

L y
WASHINGTON. Nov. IL, 1888.
The visitor TO the Supreme Court room
while the court is in session may find much
OF interest in the proceedings, but the nine
immaculate silk gowns that enwrNp all the
learning, dignity and gravity OF our high
esi judicial tribunal are n shock 10 his
ideas of republican simplicity. Not one
Of the judges seems to feel at home In tha,
somber relic of Il past age, which in the
eighth century was donned only on occos
ions OF pronouncing sentence OF the gibbet
from the Kings bench. Tho American
people, reared in AN atmosphere ol domoc
racy, have never yet realized, and proba-
bly, never will realize, that the wearing OF
these black mantles lends any greater de-
eree OF dignity to the bench than the trap
pings OF Marcus Furius Camillus made
him more terrible in the eyes of those who
ultimately got the best of him. Besides,
these i'll cut mantles have disagreeabe
faculty Of enticing themselves above the ears
| OF some OF the members of the court, whose
Intellectual attempts TO keep them In place
are at times as ludcrous as they are exas-
pernling. One heaves a sigh of real pity
for Judge Miller, who would unquestiona--
bly, yield years salary for the privilege
Of shedding this gownish, and we might
say clownisl, heritage from the English
law. 1t .is..unbecoming in our peculiar
system OF government, and is decidedly ob
jeotionable TO all who have business with
the court.
The aristoeracy of money may have had
something TO do with the perpetuation of
the custom OF robng the judges In this
country, innsmmch as most OF them have
been men Uf large wealth. The present bench
IL composed of men OF business who have
always had wealther eye to the main
chance. The chief justice is said to be
good for n half million, while his asso.
cia,es, Matthews and Blalchford are equal.
ly endowed with worldly goods. Justice
Gray is one of the Beacon Hill stock of
Grays all of whom teathered their nests
comfortably in the early days of Boston
men who knew how 10 g,ther in and keep
what they gathered. Justice Bradley is
what might be called well-healed, and 30
is Justice Harlan and Justice Woods. JUG
tice Miller, however, is the one exception
on the bench who Is not rich, and who
& perhaps, has been unable to accumulate
owing to the impecunlosity of his low,
i, clienlsge, TO whom his professional servic,
have been rendered for many years in the
interests of charity. The Judge has alwayi
been generous TO others without being ex-
actly Just 10 his own household. Judge
Field possesses immense wealth, and ha.
4 income amply sufficient every year TO ado
: a fine business block TO bis already lsrg,
possessions in San Francisco.
It The social status of the ladies of tn
|. court families as compared with that o
the cabinet ladies" and the families o
senators, is a subject that often agilate
the society circles of Washington, and
do not believe it has ever been authorita
lively settled. II is still an open question
8, whether the wife of a senator ou,ranks tn
n better half Of Supreme Court Judge, AN
~ whether the wife uf cabinet officer doe
not outrnnk them both. Mrs. Dahlgreen
e. book ON etiqutte does not settle the mai
y ter, and in nl probability it will renal
eS subject of social controversy to the Ell
y of time or Of the republic. To many, II
W this may seem trivial, yet it should be r,
~ membered that the social requirements {
'S those high in Office can scarcely be imag
We ined by those not familiar with Washing
re ton society. The families of cabinet men
:" bers declare that they are the execntiN
10 branch OF the government, and, therefor
Ut quite the equal, if not the superiors CT Il
ne legislative and Judicial branches. I'll
~ social families of the senators, when the
81. "a turn comes, saw they should have prec
", dence. Tor, does not the Senate decide, a
~, ter all, whe' her man shall be JUDI
!. upon the Supreme bench ora member
!" the cabinet. am not much OF an aulho
ha ily upon there subjects, but IN my opin''
~ the Supreme Court should have sncial pr
"' cedence. The position and work OF Il
judges is OF great Importance. law
this country is not law if it isques!lont
until 1t shall have been passed upon by Il
ne Supreme Coart. The House may pass
he bill which the Senate may pass. The Sc
,as ate has right to reject the Hou'e b
i. and the President has the power 10 We
;" the bill. From the action OF the Hon
w. there is an appeal, from the action "f bo
IRE Houses there is an appeal, but when 4
on Supreme Court hus decided upon IL
ter there is no appeal. 1t Is final and absoln
id The present court is composed general
of men past the meridian of life. Some
the judges are on the three score and I
roster. Their families, are like themselv
too old 10 devote their lives to hollow n
ciety. The family of the chief justice
Washington consists OF his wife aud daue
ter. His vile met with nm accid,
about three years ago and broke her l.
; She is now happily recovered, but she C