Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-11-05
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Nov. l, 'SG

To THE SOUTH KENTUCKIAN:
One of the most interesting places
to visit at the Capital just now is the
Supreme Court of the United States,
presided over by the nine justices
clothed in their silk gowns and look
ing the very embodiment of the dig
nifty, learning and wisdom of the
whole country. With two or posi-
bly, three exceptions the justices are
all large men with large heads and
most of them bald The Chief JUS
tice has the thickest suit of hair and
beard, and Justice Matthews the
next. Justice Gray is the tallest and
largest in size of all the Justices, and
Harlan the second. Justice Bradley
is the smallest, and Justice Matthews
and Woods follow him. Justices
Harlan aud Gray are without any
hair on the crown of the head, aud
the little that Justices Miller, Bradley,
Field and Blatchford have is brushed
to show to the best advantage so far
as quantity is concerned. The JUS
tees usually listen very attentively
to the counsel arguing case without
interrupting them, and display very
little impotence, except when occa-
sionally some lawyer shows some
disposition TO dwell upon unimpor-
tant points, and thus unnecessarily
prolong his argument as if talking
against time TO consume the two
hours allowed his side for presenta-
ton of his case. Justices Bradley
and Blatchford ask more questions
of the counsel than do any of the 9TH
er justices, and speak in quick clear
voice to be distinctly heard through
out the sacred enclosure reserved for
members of the bar. When Justice
Miller speaks it is generally in a low
tone heard with difficulty except by
those who are most accustomed to
his voice, and he shows much irrita-
bility and impatience if ever asked
by counselor to repeat a question.
Blatchford and Bradley seem to take
keener interest in what patent cases
come before the court than do any OF
the other justices, whilst Gray and
Harlan manifest the least interest
and look as if they were in "duranct
vile" during the progress of the hear
ing. Justices Field and Miller pre-,
fer constitutional law and real estate
cases, and Matthews and Wood rail
road cases, while Gray and Harlan
are strong on personal property and
contracts, although no less learned il
all branches of the law than the 9th.
or justices.
The charge made against naval of.
ficers smuggling goods, and especial.
ly wine, when returning from q
European cruise, has been the topic
of conversation in society circles fol
some time past. Whatever affects
the honor of the Navy affects Wash.
ington society, in which naval officers
do little else than "swing round its
circles" Of pleasure in season. To
bring presents of silks, fancy articles
cigars and wines has been regarded
as perquisite if not a right of The
'middies" given as a return for long
andenforced absence from home and
friends, and to brand them now with
the name of "smugglers" has aroused
feeling of Indignation and resent
ment not experienced for years be-
fore in "bon ton" circles at the Cap
ital. The action of the Secretary Or
dering an investigation is looked up
OH as being done to afford an oppor-
tunity to our brave "middies" to. win.
dictate themselves, and they are con-
fident of coming out with flying COL
ors.
Lieut.. Taunt, of the Navy, while
on the upper Congo, made collec.
ton of very rare articles and has pre-
seated the same to the National Mu-
scum. Among them is ring weigh.
ing ten pounds, of solid brass, and
taken from the ankle of an African
belle. Perhaps the charge of snug.
Cling will be preferred against him
Speaking of the Museum reminds
Inc that the French Government has
very recently presented us with more
than dozen articles of pottery and
tapestry, which attract a great dea
of attention at the Museum. Tit
collection is estimated to be wortl
$4,000.
Commissioner Montgomery, of th,
Patent Office, reports that he expect
within the next four months TO brin!
the work of his bureau mp to date
Congress last session made a larg,
increase in the examining corps am
all are now busy at work. Impor
tant recommendations regarding
changes in certain sections of the law
are made and it is also recommends
that the subscription 10 the Oficla
Gazette be raised from S. to 81 so
The present price of IS does not pay
the cost of production, but since the
surplus from other sources is more
than 100000 year, the Office nigh
afford to lose little on the Gazette
So say the inventors. ii.