Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1883-11-17
" ASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, D. G. Nov. Z, IS :

may find much of interest in the
proceedings. but the nine immacu-
late silk gowns that enwrap all the
learning, dignity and gravity Of our
highest judicial tribunal are a shock
to his ideas OF republican simplicity.
Not one Of the judges seems to feel
at home Ia that somber relic Of Il
past age, which in the eighth centu.
ry was donned only on occasions of
pronouncing sentence of the gibbet
from the Kings bench. The Amer
lean people, reared In an atmosphere
of democracy, have never yet real
lied, and probably never will realize,
that the wearing of these black man.
ties lends any greater degree Of dig
nifty to the bench than the trappings
of Marcus Fnrius Camillus made
him more terrible in the eyes Of
those who ultimately got the best Of
him. Besides, these i'll cut nantes
have a disagreeable faculty of emit
cling themselves above the ears of
some of the members of the court,
whose Intellectual attempts to keep
them in place are at times as ludi-
crous as they are exasperating. One
heaves a sigh OF real pity for Judge
Miller, who would unquestionably
yield a years salary for the privilege
OF shedding this gownish, aud we
might say clownish, heritage from
the English law. It is unbecoming
in our peculiar system of govern
ment, and is decidedly Objectionable
to all who have business with the
court.
The aristocracy of money may
have had something 70 do with the
pei petuation Of the custom of rob-
ing the judges in this country, inas.
much as most Of them have been
men of large wealth. The present
bench is composed of men of bust.
ness who have always had weather
eye to the main chance. The chief
justice is said to be good for half
million. while bis associates, Math.
ews and Blatchford, are equally en-
dowed with worldly goods. Justice
Gray is one of the Beacon Hill stock
of Grays. all Of whom feathered
their nests comfortably in the early
days of BOston--men who knew how
to gather in and keep what they
gathered. Justice Bradley is what
might be called well healed, and SO
is Justice Harlan and Justice Woods.
Justice Miller, however, is the one
exception on the bench who is not
rich, and who, perhaps, has been IN.
able to accumulate owing to the inn
pecuniosity Of his Iowa clieDtage, to
whom his professional services have
been rendered for many years in the
interests of charity. The judge has
always been generous To others With.
out being xrctly inst to his own
household. Judge Field possesses
immense wealth, and has an income
amply sufficient every year TO add n
fine business block TO his already
large possessions in San Francisco.
The social status of the ladies of
the court families as compared with
that OF the cabinet ladies' aud the
families of senators, Is stbject
that often aoitates the society cir
Giles of Washington, and | do not
believe it has ever been i.ufhorita-
lively settled. II is still an open
question WHITTIER the wife Of sena,
tor outranks the better half nf IA Su-
preme Court Judge. ard whether the
wife Of a cabinet officer does rot
outrank them both. Mrs. Dahl
green's book on etiquette does not
settle the matter, aud in all proba
bility it viii remain IA subject of So,
cial controversy to the end of time
or of the republic. To many, All
this may seem trivial, yet IL should
be remembered that the social re-
quirements of those high In office
can scarcely be imagined by those not
familiar with Washington society.
The families Of cabinet members de-
clare that they are the executive
branch of the government, aud
therefore, quite the equal, If not the
superiors. Of the legislative and ju-
dicial branches. The social families
of the senators. when their turn
comes. say they should have prece-
dpuce, for, does not the Senate de-
eide, after all. whether man shall
he Il Judge upon the Supreme bench
or a member Of the cabinet | am
not much OF ar authority on these
subjects, but in my opinion the SUI
preme Court should have social pre-.
cpdence. The position and work OF
the judges is OF great Importance.
A law in this country is not a law If
IT is questioned until it shall have
been passed upon by the Supreme
Court. The House may pass bill