The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-11-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, D, c., Oct. %, 1856.
Special Correspondence oFthe NzWs.
One OF the lost 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 looking the embodiment OF the
dignity. learning and wisdom of the whole
country. With TWO or possibly three ex-
ceptions the justices are all large men with
large heads and most of them bald. The
chief justice has the tAIcSest 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
secono. Justice Bradley is the smallest,
and Justices Matthews and Woods follow
him. Justices Harlan and Gray are with
OUT any hair on the crown of the head, and
the little that Justices Miller, Bradley,
Field and Blatchford have il brushed to
show to the best advantage SO far as guam
tity Is concerned. The Justices usually
listen very AttentiTely to the
out interrupting them and dis
play very little Impotence, except when
occasionally some lawyer shows q dispO-
sition TO dwell upon Unimportant points,
and thds unnecessarily prolong his argu-
ments as If talking against time to con-
sumo the two hours allo we'd his side for
presentation of his case. Justices Bradley
and Blatchford ask more questions of the
counsel than do any of the other justices
and speak In quick and clear voice to be
distinctly heard throughout the sacred en-
closure reserved tor members OF the bar.
When Justice Miller speaks IL is generally
In a low tone heard with difficulty except
by those who are accustomed TO his voice,
and he shows much lrritabilIty aud Impa-
thence il ever asked by q counselor TO re-
peat . question BlAtch;ord and Bradley
seem u take keener interest in what pat
emit 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 ''dursnce vile"
during the progress of the hearing. Jus
tees Field aud Miller prefer constitutional
law and real estate cases, while Gray and
Harlan are strong on personal property
and contracts although no less learned in
sll branches Of the law than the other JUS
tees.
The charge made against naval officers
smuggling goods, and especially wine
when returning from q European cruise
has been the topic of conversation in soci
ETY. circles for some time past. Whatever
/ Affects the honor OF the navy affects Wash
| ington s.Dciety, In which naval officers de
/ little else than saving around its circle" Of
pleasure In season. To bring presents o
silks, fancy articles, cigars and wines hal
been regarded as perquisite if not q RICH
/ OF the "middies" given. 90 . return fol
long and enforced absence from home anC
/ friends, and to brand them now with thu
/ name of "smugglers'' has aroused feelirI
i OF Indignation and resentment not expert
| enced tor years before In the "bon tom
circles at the capital. The action of thu
secretary ordering an Investigation 4
looked upon as being done 20 afford o.
opportunity to our brave "middiesr Il
vindicate themselves, and they are conf
dent of coming out with flying coiors.
Lieut.. Taunt. of the navy, while on tn
upper Congo, made collection OF YER
rare articles and has press nted the sam
TO the Dationsl museum. Among them
q ring weighing ten pound, of solid brAel
and taken from the ankle Of an Africa
belle. Perhaps the charge of snugRlin
will be preferred against him. Speakln
OF the museum reminds me that th
French government has very recently PR
sented Us with more than q dozen article
OF pottery and tapestry, which attract
great deal of attention at the museum
The collection is estimated to be wort
5000.
Commissioner Montgomery, Of Il
} patent Office, reports that he expects with
In the next four months to bring the WoI
of his bureau up TO date. Congress- IL
session made q large increase In the e
2 aiming corps ard all are now busy 81 Worl
: Important recommendations regardiT
= changes IN certain sections of the law .
made and ii Is also recommended that q
D subscription IN the Official Gazette
= raised from IS tn 81 so. The preset
4 prIce of SIS does not pay the cost Of pr
q duction. but since the surplus from 9th
!. sources is more than 100000 . year q
y ofi1ce might afford to lose little on q
Gazette, so say the InYentOrs ii.