The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-10-09
HIS OATH OF OFFICE.
Chief Justice Fuller is Solemn
Iy Inaugurated.
THE IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIES
In the United States Supreme Court
Room at washinston-Hc Takes
the Oath In the Presence of
Distinguished Assembly.

WASHINGTON, D. c., oct. S.-Chief
Justice Fuller took his oath Of office and
assumed the active duties OF his position
to-day. An hour before the time for the
opening of the court the narrow space
allotted TO thegeneral public in the court
chamber was crowded by men and
women who wanted to witness the cere-
mony ofthe installation OF Chief Just
ice, and at that time the sore trials of the
attaches OF the NTarshal's Office began.
It was an orderly, ,well-mannered throng
OF Congressman, attorneys and ladies,
which sought TO pack itself into a space
| fir TOO small 10 contain. it, and naught
but the crowding marcd the usual SOL
emn decorum OF the proceedings. The
| attempt to reserve the bar for those en-
titled to admission was only partially
successful.
Among the people Of note who found
places in the room were Judge Allen G.
Thurman, who was conducted to Il seat
within the space reserved for the Mar
shal, and who became q conspicuous
centre OF attraction during the half hour
preceding the entry OF the justices; Mrs.
Fuller, wife OF the Chief Justice, with
six daughters and one son, for whom
.eats were reserved; Mrs. Justice Har-
Ian. Mrs. Senator Cockrell, Attorney
General Garland, japanese Minister
Matsu, wife and Secretary; Senators
Davis, Butler, Hampton, Farwell, George,
Mitchell, Dolph and Spooner: Congress-
men Breckenridge, Wheeler and Her
bert, OF Alabama, and Solicitor General
jerks.
The Chief Justice arrived at the capi-
tol at half.past eleven and proceeded to
the private office OF the court, where he
took the oath Of allegiance in the pres
ence OF the Associate Justices, the oath
being administered by the senior
member Of the court, Associate Justice
Miller.
At 12 o'clock the gavel OF the crier
fell and at the announcement, THE
Honorable Associate Justices OF the Su- |
preme Court OF the United States" the
seated portion OF the assemblage arose
and remained standing in respectful
silence. The Associate Justices in their
robes OF silk, headed by the Marshal,
entered in procession as usual. The
Chief Justice, also wearing his robe OF
office, was escorted TO place at the
clerks desk. The Associate Justices !
bowed to the assemblage and took their
seats. They were only six in number,
Justices Gray and Matthews being alb
sent. The crier called:
40 ycz, o yez, o yez; all persons hav-
ing business before the honorable Su-
preme Court OF the United States are
admonished to draw near and give their
attention, for the Court is now sitting
After moment Of silence Justice
Miller said:
"GESTLgMEN OF THE BARI have the
pleasure to inform you that since the
last meeting Of this Court, and adjourn
ment, Chief Justice, Honorable, Mel
vile W. Fuller, has been appointed, CON
irmcd by the Senate and received his
commission. He is here and ready to
take the oath OF office. The clerk will
read the commission"
Clerk Mckinney read the commission,
after which Judge Fuller arose, and
holding the bible in one hand read from
manuscript the oath OF office.
'I. Melville Weston Fuller, do solemn
lysWear Tor affirm that l will administer
Justice without respect TO persons and
do equal right to the poor and the rich,
and that will faithfully and impartially |
discharge and perform all tho duties in
cumbent on me as Chief Justice Of the
United States according to the best OF
nv abilities and understanding, agree
ably to the Constitution and laws of the
United States. So help me God"
His voice was clear and his enuncia- |
ton firm and distinct nj the beginning,
but before the end was reached mark
ed tremor was manifest. The Chief
Justice was now escorted behind the bar
and to his official seat in the centre.
Again the court and the assemblage
arose, this time without other summons
than a wave of the hand by the clerk. !
Justice Miller took the hand Ofthe Chief |
Justice, aud with q smile OF welcome,
addressed him in low voice.
~ welcome you, sir, on behalf OF this
court, as one OF its members, and its
Chief Justice"
The Chief Justice bowed, took his
seat, and when the assemblage wasagain
seated, he said:
~ will say to the members OF the bar,
that as is the well known usage, the
court will transact no business to-day,
but applications for admission TO the
bar will be entertained"
Attorney Garland, several Senators
and other members OF the bar now pre-.
sented names OF applicants for adInis-
sion, whom they Y0uched for as quail.
fed, under the rules Of the court, and
the Chief Justice directed each batch in
its turn to proceed to the clerks desk
and take the oath. About score Of
attorneys we're thus admitted, and when
tho brief ceremonial was over the Chief
Justice announced that all motions noted
for this morning would stand over until
tomorrow. He then said:'
'In accordance with immemorial
usages the court will now adjourn in
order to enable its members to pay their
respects in body to the President Of
the United States"
The voice OF the crier that "this hon
orable court is now adiourned'until TO-
morrow at 12 O'clock" closed the pro-