Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-22


the restless and relentless spirit Of change.
The life-tenure of Office exists alone in the
third coordinate branch, the Judiciary. 1t is
not necessary to enter into the archaeology of
the subject further than to refer to the stabil-
ity Of the supreme judicial tribunal in its
official and social environments amid
the ever-changing operations OF our
wholesale elective system. In the rounded
period of a century there have been but eight
Chief Justices. one just having entered into
that exalted Office. Two of the number served
an aggregate period Of sixty-two years. In the
same scope of a century there have been forty
four associate justices appointed to keep up
the succession to the original five and to fill
original vacancies caused by increasing the
personnel of the bench. OF that whole number,
thirty justices served ten years and over in the
latter list. We having sat on the bench thirty
years and upward; eight. twenty years and up
ward. and seven fifteen years and upward.
The chief and four minor associates have every
expectation of passing the ten-year period of
service and going beyond that limit of judicial
longevity into the indefinite period marked
out only by the tenure of human life.
Before referring to the circle of brilliant
women who now represent the social life of
the supreme judiciary at the capital. IL will be
interesting to take a retrospective glance
at the first ladies who have maintained
the prestige of the court in its fashionable
surroundings through the first century of the
Constitution.
The wife of John Jay. first Chief Justice Of
the United States, was one of the most beau
tful and brilliant women of her day. She
was Sarah Van Brngh manned after her grand
motEer) Livingston. daughter of William Liv-
Ingston, of New York, afterward governor of
New Jersey. She became the wife of John
JAY in liza. before she was eighteen years of
age. Her husband was twelve years her senior
Before their honeymoon was over the troubles
harvr
gan in earnest Mr. Jay had as yet taken no
part in public affairs. but after the passage Of
the Boston port bill he entered the first Con-
tinental Congress.
In III. John jaw having been elected Presi-
dent of the Continental Congress. then sitting
st Philadelphia. Mrs. Jay became the first lady
OF the yOung republic. and by her beauty,
grace and mental abilities Ornamented the So
cial surroundings of the chief officer of Con-
gress. then exercising the combined executive.
Legislative and judicial power of the govern
ment. Two years later. while at the court of
Spain with her husband. as diplomatic minis
ter. she declined to appear at court because
her husband was not recognized as the diplo-
matte representative of free and independent
country. She remained in Europe five years
with her husband while one of the ministers of
the American republic. Mrs. Jay. during two
wears residence at Paris. was great favorite
IN court circles and among the nOblesse of the
old regime When Mr.. jay returned. in 1854.
and assumed the Office of secretary for foreign
affairs under the American confederation for
five years. Mrs. Jay presided over her husbands
esiablis hment IN New York with great tact
and popularity.
when the new government went into opera
ton and john JAY became Chief Justice OF the
United States. Mrs. Jay. then but thirty-tw
years OF age and IN the golden days of her
Womany beauty and accomplishments and
social gifts. was associated with Martha Wash
mgton. Abigail Adams. Elizabeth SCHUYLER
Hamilton. and the stately DANES of those times
IN establishing the customs and conven-
tOnal dscOrum which should regulate the
social surroundings of the chief offices of the
executive. legislative and judicial branches Of
the government
As the first lady of the distinguished circle of
the national judiciary Mrs. Jav lnaugurate
the social forms which have made the surround
lnSs of the Chief and associate Justices of the
supreme Court of the United States through
all the long course of years since. so dignified
and appropriate.
THE WIFE OF John RUrLEDsE.
OF South Carolina. Elizabeth Grimke, was one
OF the most lovable women of her day. During
the three years OF her husbands service a. the
headot the last of associate justices she partci-
pated IN the elegant gayetes of official society
at New York and Philadelphia Her death in
1a92 was bereavement which sadly shattered
the mental viS)r OF her husband His eleva-
ton to the Chief usti.eship four years after
found his malady so aggravated by inconsol-
Senate rejected his nomination. which obliter-
ated the las spark of sanity and left the rest of
his life blink
Hardly had he been admitted 70 the bar of
his native state Of Connecticut than Oliver
Ellsworth. the future third Chief Jns,ice
CT the nitet states. then briefiess barrister
married Abigail Wolcott daughter of William
Wolrott. OF East Windsor. and member of the
e0ionil and revolutionary family of that name
she mad fine presence and superior Judgment
and was a fayOrlte member of the circle of dis
tinguished ladies who cured at the republican
court OF the administrations of Washington
anu Adams while the capital was still seated on
the banks of the Delaware.
The fourth Chief Justice of the United
states, John Marshall, of Virginia. the ex-
FOUNDER OF the Constitution. had been "A brave
ofneer OF the Revolution. distinguishing him.
sen AZ Brandywlne. Germantown and Mon
mouth before he met his future bride II was
az Yorktown. soon after the battle of Great
Bridge. that he met Hiss Mary Willis Amber
who was daughter of Jacdueline Amber.
treasurer OF Virginia. and descended on her
mothers side from La Roche Jacquelines of
France. The Young soldier of the Revolution
was deeply IN love with Miss Amber who was
one OF the bellies of York peninsula. but he
saw the independence of his country assured
ftssi0nal career. and took up his residence in
Richmond. before he made her his bride That
interesting event took place in 1888 and
Tor over nifty years she presided over the
uoiaestC anu sOciai :iIf3lrs OF her distinguished
husband As first lady of the national Judi
elary Mrs Marshall was a leader in the distin-
guished fashionable life of the capital during
the nrst season Of the government at Washing
ton. when Mrs. Adams lnaugurated the social
institutions of the executive mansion and was
prominent figure in the politico-social affairs
o. the administrations of Jefferson. Madison.
Monroe the younger Adams, and jackson.
winch embraced period of nearly three
decades and half
During the last two years of the term of
jackson and through the succeeding admins
uatlons down TO the last year Of Lincoln a De-
riod OF twenty-elght years. Anne Phoebe Garlic
ton hey. sister OF Francis Scott Kew. of Mary
land author OF the Star Spangled Banner"
who was Mrs Roger Brooke fancy. presided
over the court circle wife OF the fifth Chief
Justice. Her father. John Ross Kew. was a
lieutenant In the first artillery detachment
which went from Maryland to ioin Washing
tons army IN the vicinity of Boston in the be-
ginning OF the Revolution. He owned a large
estate IN Frederick county near the Catoctin
mountain where Miss Key was born Her
brother and young fancy were fellow law stu
dents at Annapolis. aud it was upon the occa-
sion Of one of her visits there that the two met.
ianey. as a rising lawyer, often visited Freder-
Ek ON business and met his former fellow STU
dent; but pleasanter than all. enioyed the
society Of Miss Key. who became his bride
IN iooo. Mrs fancy was one of those high
spirited women who place the impress of their
individuality heir L.