Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-10-13
FROM WASHINGTON.
Chief Justice Fuller Sworn in.
n Brilliant Audience in Attendance
at the Cercmony-The Now CHIEF
Justice Administers the Oath
to Himself.

Melville w. Fuller, tho eighth Chief Justice
of the United States, was indicted into Office
with ceremonies fully in keeping with the
dignity and high character of his new duties.
Mr.. Fuller swore himself in, reading the oath
in a clear voice that could be heard distinctly
in every portion of the Supreme Court room
1t is doubtful whether any of his piede-
cessors who have taken that oath ever did
SO in the presence of q moro distinguished
audience Among tho spectators who had
gathered to do honor to the occasion were
the Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate,
United States Senators and Representatives,.
members of the diplomatic corps, legal hi
minaries celebrated for their eloquence and
learning from various parts of the country,
aud scores of ladies prominent in the social
world
Tue Supreme court room, which has linn
tied capacity at the best was packed long
before the hour of twelve, the time set for
the administering of the oath. Front seats
to tho left Of the Bench were reserved for
Mrs. Fuller and her eight daughters and
little son. They wero among the early ar
rivals.
Chief Justice Fuller arrived Mt the Capitol
q little after eleven o'clock. The first oath,
that of allegiance, was administered Ill
private by Justice Miller, the ceremony &C.
curing in the robug room, with no one
present but The Associate Justice. 1t is tho
custom never TO permit any one 70 wltness
this ceremony.
At inst twelve o'clock the Deputy Marshal
| in a loud voice announced 1.-THE honorable,
the Associate justices of the Supreme Court,
The members OF the Bar and tine public as,
| sembled arose in their places and remained
standing facing the Bench while tile JUSTICES
| filed in. Justice Miller was Mt the head roll
lowing him were Justices Harlan. Bradley,
! Gray, Blatchforl and Lamar. Ex-J Justice
; Strong and Chief Justice Fuller came i'll to-
Cether. The Associate Justices sat in. their
places, and Chief Justice Euler, with e1-
! Justice Strong, stepped within the railing
enclosing the Clerks desk and took seat.
The Deputy Marshal then crc.', "Oyez,
Oyez!n aud announced that TIN Court was
assembled.
Justice Miller then announced that since
! the last meeting Of the Court the President
had appointed and the Senate h d confirmed
Melville Weston Fuller Chief justice, or Che
| Supreme Court Of the United States; the
| Clerk wouli read the commission. Alter
this was done Chief Justice Fuller stood up
to take the oath of Office, and tho Court ana
| oil assembled stood up.
There had been some question as to who
| should administer this oath. The new Chlct
Justice settled the matter by administering
it himself The Clerk handed him the written
form of oath and little Bible covered with
velvet. III a clear voice, Ing read the oath IS
follows:
81 do solemnly swear that will admin.
lister justice without respect to persons and
do equal right to tue poor and to the rich
and that I will faithfully and impartlally
discharge and perform the duties incumbent
OH me as Chief Justice of the United States
according to the best of my ability and
understanding, agreeable to the Constitution
and law of the United States, so help me
God"
His voice trembled at the last words. He
took his seat and enterol calmly upon the
performance of bis duties. These consisted
| in the presentation of several candidates for
admission to the Bar, after which the Court
adjourned.