New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-11-04
A SCRAMBLE IN THE SUPREME COURT
sTAID OLD LAWYERS AGHAsT AT THE CHICAGO
METHODS IN THAT AUGUST BODY.

METHODS IN THAT AUGUST BODA'
Washington Nov CspeciaD.-Quiet reigns through
out every quarter of the Capitol except in the ooo
of the supreme Court. But there is wild rush ant
scramble going on in that temple of ponderous dignity
And decorum almost sufficient TO bring the genera
average of activity UP TO the normal OF the busiest u
short sessions The Chief Justice is SURFING 'hihs
up with long pole. He Is what Is known as
@ristlcrs in the Chicago vernacuar. lie is sendihe
the wheels of Justice around with a whirl that is
Carving confusion in the ranks of the stad and veneer
.hle counsel whose broadc 10th and specacles adorn
the bar of the highest court in the land cases IN
volving the heaviest interests are being rushed on IN
the percmptory snap fashion OF the chicago ponce
courts The court sits four hours day. Counsel
are allowed two hours each for argument, so that when
the full, time is taken both sides but one case can
be disposed Of in day. The average rate OF progress
however when Chicago methods have moi been en-
poved has been about two cases a day Ten cases
are ppon the calf each day. and the court can work
As far down this list as is possible
This brings an element of uncertainty into the
game The counsel who argue cases before the su-
prerne Court come from ali over the country. They
ARE men OF many engagements and important duties
7, ,s of course i'm possible them TO dance attendance
upon the court throughout the term so they get an
estimate from the clerk the date when any parfic
ular case upon the docket will probably be reached
Then they make their arrangements 10 reach Washing
ton few days before. 10 allow for any Unforeseen
celebration of business which may bring the up
before the time calculated. 1t Will be seen that If
for any reason the gets far down the docket
that cases which counsel are sull In their distant
homes reached, there is nothing TO prevent them
running through the whole calendar, disposing OF
cases as fast as the clerk call them. and the court
dismiss them on account of the nOn-appearance OF
counsel There Is thing that prevents this. and
that is that only the ten on the calP can be
dis posed Of stl this allows them TO work of
az the rate OF ten day, and that is about what this
august body Of justice has been doing for the last few
days-ResuIt a Wild rush of gray haired counsel to
Washington from all parts Of the country. squire So
And SO has been told that his Will probably be
reached the first week In November. suddenly he
receives frantic telegram from CLERK Kenney that II
may be called in three four days. He leaves his
Office u ST. Paul or Kansas City, and comes to wash
ngton ON the fastest train 10 learn when be gets there
that the case was called the day before MS arrival
and dismissed A., ,, .
The hind of activity that would bring the bac ard
calendar of the Supreme Court IS badly needed bt this
sort OF thing ony thrown the business OF The couri INTO
Confusion makes life burden 10 the members OF the
bar and turns the clerks Office into CORES pondence
bureau and a teleeIa phc centre. Counsel VINO have
had their heads snapped oil In this unceremOnlOus
manner have been advised thar their cases may DC
tailed up later bat are told Don't let this occur again.
II continued this Chicago order Of business viii com
pei all the counsel who have cases on The DOCKET 10
camp out In Washington for the winter Is Chief
Justice Fuller Interested In Washington hotel and
boarding. house trust!