New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-09
IN THE SEAT OF MARSHALL.
MELVILLE " FULLER SWORN IN AS CHIEF
JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES.
CEREMONY OF TAKING THE oATH-A GREAT
CROWN OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. THURMAN
AND THE BANpANNA on HAND-rHE


AND THE BANDANNA ON HAND-rHE
JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
CALL UPON THE PRESIDENT.
rBr TELEGRAPH THE rRrBusEl
Washington, Oct SIN clear, distinct VOICE.
with only slight tremor as he pronounced the so
help me God,' the new Chief Justice read the oath
before crowded courtroom and in the presence
Of his colleagues at noon to-day. The scene was
an impressive one-impressive on account OF its
simplicity and absence Of all pomp and ceremonial
But for the unusual number of people present you
would not have suspected that an important bit OF
history was being transacted in the Chamber
which once echoed the eloquence Of Clay Calhoun
and Webster, and that Chicago lawyer, scarcely
known six months ago beyond the precincts OF his
adopted home. was about TO ascend the seat once
occupied by Marshall, Chase and Waite.
II Melville w Fuller was aware Of the solcm-
nifty of the occasion. or If he felt the tremendous
responsibility about to devolve upon his shoulders
he did not show it by any outward signs. Cool
collected, with a half-jaunty air, he made his
appearance before the clerks desk clad IN MS
new judicial robes, very much as when an actor
Of mature experience steps to the foot-bgnts ana
ma lxes his first bow to O strange audience Ihere
was something inexpressibly significant In the
quiet dignity of tine Associate-Justces-Milie
Bradley, Harlan and the too engaging polite
ness with which Chief-Justice Fuller greeted the
new members of the Supreme Court bar, admitted
Immediately after he had taken his seat Only
people who do not feel quite secure in the sad
de or are not too certain of their footing. act
in that way STILL it would be too much, per-
hans. to expect Mr. Fuller to have acted to-day
differently from what he did, or as ne may act
hereafter or as soon, at least, as he has become
hfa trron N
Many prominent people were there to witness
the ceremony The courtroom could not hold
half that came front seat to the left of the
bench was reserved for members OF Chief-Justlce
Fuller's family, Mrs. Fuller and the two eldest
daughters arrived at IL 80. and few minutes
later the six ether daughters arrived. The little
bow Weston Fuller, had seat near the door
back of the bench.
At II: 40, after the room was already well
crowded there was stir near the door leading
to the Marshals Office the crowd parted, and
Judge Thurman came in on the arm OF
Senator Hampton He wore gray fali
overooat, with the collar mu1ied close
about his neck, and walked with difficulty and
great caution. He looked pale and tired, as IL
he had passed sleepless night Ills eyes twin
killed., however, and good-natured laugh occa-
sionally varied the twitchlng Of the facial mus
cles as his old enemy, rheumatism, made its pres
ence known. Presently he drew out of his
| pocket the historic bandanna. At the sight oil
| the scarlet rag the enthusiasm of the Democrats
| in the audience could contain itself no longer
not even in the Chamber of the Supreme Court.
They clapped their hands and grew demonstrative
| in other ways The marshals were scarcely able
to preserve order. Encouraged by these signs of
|, loyal devotion to rag and man, the Old Roman
| blew blast that started the echoes in the gal
ery above the bench, and seemed to awaken the
| marble features of Chief Justice fancy, IN the
niche near the door, into an expression OF pleased
| surprise at the presence OF distinguished Demo
| Graf in the chamber. The crowd laughed, but
| the Old Roman" looked extremely serious as ne
| folded the bandanna with great dellberatlon,
tucked it away in his overcoat pocket, and once
| more leaned his chin upon his cane. 1T was
dverting incident not on the play-bill, and served
| to ill up the time before the ringing up Oh tne
AZ lust - o'clock the deputy MARSHAL in 2
| loud voice announced " The Honorable the As
sociate Justices of the Supreme Court
| The members OF the bar and the pubic arose
| in their places and remained standing, facing tho
bench, while the Justices filed in. justice
Miller was at the head Following him were
| Justices Harlan. Bradley, Gray, Blatchford and
| Lamar Ex-Justice Strong and Chief Justice Fuller
| came together. The Associate Justices at once
| proceeded to their seats on the bench, and Chet
| Justice Fuller, with .eX-Justice Strong, stepped
|
"Oyezl Oyezl7 cried the deputy marshal, and
| followed 10 up with the quaint formula used every
| DAY upon the assembling of the court This done
| Justice Miller announced that since the las
meeting Of the court the President had appointed
and the Senate had confirmed, Melville Westoi
| Fuller Chief-Justlce If the Supreme Court O
| the United States, and that the clerk would reat
| the commission
| After this was done, Chief Justice Fuller stooC
M to take the oath of office, and the court an'
! All assembled arose There had been some question
rs TO who should administer this oath. The new
| Chief-Justice settled the matter by admlnlstern
| IL to himself The clerk handed him the WRITER
form of oath and a little Bible covered VIII
| black velvet He read the oath In clear voice
Il do sOlemnly swear that Will adminlste
Justice. without respect to persons, and do elua
right 30 the poor and to the rich; and that
| will faithfully and impartialy discharge an,
perform the duties incumbent upon me as Chlei
| Justice of the Supreme Court Of the Unte'
States according to the best OF my ability AM
| understanding. agreeable TO the Constitution AM
law of the United States. SO help me, Ood.
| He then took his seat on the bench, ana entere
| calmly upon the performance OF his duties III
| announced that according TO custom the only pus
| moss would be receiving motions Tor admissio
| 70 the bar number Of candidates were pre-
! sented and by ten minutes after IL the cour
adjourned until IL tomorrow.
The first oath-that OF alleganc,e,Thad peen ao
ministered in private by Justice Miller the cert
| mony taking place in the robing-room, WIN u
| ono prescnt hut the Associate Justice. IN
| members of the Supreme Court paid their respect
70 tbc President at ! o'clock. They were drive
from the Capitol to the White House, ana yer
received in the Blue Parlor All me nlen ~ vi
Of the court were present except Justices rlei
and Matthews.