The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-06-29
THE UNITED STATES SUPREME
EOUET

VtA
Just at midday, when the Speaker brings
down his gavel and the American flags on
either wing are slowly unfurling from the
stats, there is a curious little procession
across the long corridor that runs from
Honse To Senate. 1t is those solemn Dig
n%itafies, the Justices of the Supreme Court
Of the United States moving from the rob-
ing-room, on the west side of the corridor,
across the corridor into the ante-room of
the Supreme Court chamber. The way is
kept clear by a row Of clerks and retain
ers, who solemnly wave back all %irreyer-
emily seeking TO break through the pro-
e%essiea. Senators hurrying to be in time,
at least, for the chaplain's amen" are
waved back as curtly as a colored mes
senger. The world might pause a minute
until the Supreme Court moves by.
And, as it moves by, one may look closely
at their famous robes. These silk robes
are one of the surviving traditions which
have come down from the earliest days of
the Government. They have always worn
silk gowns, but it is not believed that they
ever wore powdered wigs. John Jay wore
a black silk robe and a scarlet collar.
His original robe was found not long ago,
and brought to Washington, but none of
the Judges indulge in any other bits of
color now. The robes are quite expensive,
costing at least 500 a piece-about three
days salary for a Justice. Some of them
are made in Washington. Some Of them,
| fear, might fit better. Thus, Mr.. Justice
Matthews robe drags, so that Ie must
pick it up a little. Now, he doesn't raise
it gracefully, as does a young lady when
she crosses a gutter. He clutches a hand
ful of robe in each hand, about half way
above the knee, and holds it mp in that
way. He doesn't look at all graceful or
dignified. As the most wo%rshipfnl grand
master, the Chief Justice, passes by, a lit
tie clerk. whose hair would be a fine study
of a Venetian sunset on the Grand Canal,
steps nimbly before, aud holds open the
door with a profound bow. Over in the
Supreme Court Chamber, meanwhile a
solemn hush has fallen. The attorneys
settle down in their chairs; the audience
cranes its neck pages hoiselessly move the
chairs Of the Justices a little forward. Inc
then move them back again. There Is a
deep feeling of sublime expectancy.
AT last they enter. A retainer waves
b is outstretched arms, and all rise, some
Of the audience evidently expecting, from
the general air Of solemn awe, that prayer
is TO come. 1t is the supreme moment.
''The Chief Justice and the Associate
Justices ofthe Supreme Court OF the Unit
ed States are announced.
Solemnly they enter and solemnly they
disappear behi ind the bench; then they
halt, four Judges youngest in appointment
march past the chief, all face front, and
then solemnly all advanced to their chairs.
Solemnly they bow to the audience, rever-
emily the audience bows back. The sun
set -haired clerk stands on the left, nearest
Judge Lamar. A prond smile lights up
his features. for he knows that now is the
time when he gets his fine work in. La a
stentorian tone, utterly amazing in one SO
frail, he says. .'0yez, oyez, oyer And,
mark you, he p~ronounces it ''oy-oy" not
s'oh-yes,' as do his humble colleagues all
the world over. The word is the old
French ''oyez, hear ye," and the cul-
tured and gentlemanly clerk ought to say
''oli-yes, I" and not pronounce it in his
modern French way. However. after
calling on all to hear, he summon all
persons who have cause before the Supreme
conrt TO draw near and attend. And then
he adds piously: sGod save the United
States and this court
Then the work begins. Half an hour
later only a few auditors have remained,
only the voice of the attorney drones on,
and only one or two of the Justices are
still awake.-Baltfmore American.