The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-01-16
SUPREME JUDGES IN GOWNS
The imposing Ceremonies at
the Opening of the Supreme
Court.

peslreu ~ the opening session Yesterday
in their new long black silk gowns,
which were described in detail and illus
trated in 7hs Tiues Of sunday, Dec. 80
Their entrance lrom their retiring rooms
to their seats on the bench was the most
solemn ceremony that mas ever been
witnessed in q judicial tribunal in this
State. The curiosity 70 see the Justices
in their sombre robes was 50 great that
long before the opening Of court the
chambers were crowded with members
Of the bar ami when II O'Clock came, the
hour for declaring the court in session,
there was not foot Of vacant space in
the big court room.
Long before ten O'Clock Col. Charles
5. Greene, the Prothonotary Of the Court
was busting about getting everything in
readiness and Tipstayes John r. sehen,
Samuel B. Evans and Lewis E. Moore
We're kept busy seating the spectators
who were wise enough TO come early.
The venerable court crier. Thomas S.
White, went of in a corner by himself
and rehe4rsed the new formula for an
noucing the presence Of the Chief jus
tice and his associates
DoNN1NG THEIR Cow NJ.
Judge Paxson, the new Chief Justice,
arrived before 10 o'clock and his col
leagues came soon afterwards About
haifpast 10 man arrived carrying big
bundle. Il contained the new gowns.
He was ushered into the retiring rooms
Of the Judges ami, before a high mirror,
the Justices Pot on their silken robes and
adjusted the folds, surveyed themselves
from head To foot in their judicial regalia
AMI then waited for the time to arrive
vnen they were to enter the court room.
While the Judges were waiting a num-
Der ofprominent members ofthe bar sat
in the front seats chatting. George W.
Biddle, the chancellor Of the Law Assoei-
alton, sat next TO the venerable Richard
Vaux. whose big blsck silk scarf fell in
graceful folds on his waistcoat. and from
beneath his trousers peeped patent leath-
er low shoes tied with silken tapes that
covered black silk stockings. Mr Vaux
looked as though he had dressed for the
occasion. aud said 10 his colleague, Mr.
Biddle:
" You remember two years ago a few
lawyers, including myself held meet
ing and discussed the propriety Of the
Supreme Count Justices wearing gowns.
At last the gowns have come, and I've
come to see them. I'm glad they've
been adopted. It adds dignity and sol
emnity to the states highest tribunal.
THE ENTRANCE OF THE .UDGEs.
At precisely II o'clock the door of the
retiring room opened and Chief Justice
Paxson, in his bong black gown, walked
solemnly and slowly forward, followed
by his associates, who entered according
to their priority Of Office Justice ster
rett was directly behind Chief Justice
Paxson. Then came Justice Green, fol-
lowed by Justice, Clark, and after him
came Justice Williams, and then Justice
McCollum, Justice Mitchell bringing up
the rear.
As they entered. crier White, just a
little nervous. spoke his little piece. The
Justices stood by their stately. high
backed chairs, and as Crier White said,
in deep, solemn voice
"The Honorable the Chief Justices
Of the Supreme Court Of The State oi
Pennsylvania and the Associate Justices. p
Everybody arose. Chief Justice Paxsou
bowed his head and sat down. His as
sociates followed suit, and then every
body sat down again.
A buzz ran thrOuyl the court room
but it only lasted for moment, as Chief
Justice Paxson arrested the little outburss
by announcing court open tor the term.
Ms. Chief Justice Paxson looked very
proud as she surveyed the stately form Of
her husbanl clothed in hisjldicial robes.
Mrs. Justice Williams and her daughter
looked equally proud as they watched
Justice Williams.
HOW TIE IrDGE1 LOOKED.
Over each chair, carved on the top
were perched two owls The birds Of
wi 'aon looded down on the silver heads
Of the Seven sages Of the supreme Court
who stared into vacant space, while
every eye in the court room was upon
them.
Chief Justice Paxson's stern face was
cleanly shaveH, as was also Justice Cla1ks.
Justice Mitchell's silvery us,ustache glis-
tened in the ray &C sunbeaus that shot
in at the window. rle white beard of
Justice Williams and the iron gray beard:
Of Justice sterrett, Green and McCollum
looked as though they had been freshly
trimmed.
Chief Justice Paxson and Justice Nc
Ccllum and Williams wore white neck
iis which peepei out from the wide
collazs of their back gown. Justices
Clark, Sterrett. Green and Mitchell gore
black ties. All Of them looked tribe uu-
comfortable in their new roles, and Jus
tice Green. who started 10 write soon
after he set down. fonnl It a little awk-
vark TO get his right am On his desk,
but the feeling ofawkwartlness wore OF
in a short time, anil the Justices and the
SPECTATORS soon got accustomed to wear
ing and looking At the gown.
READING TIE COMMISSIONS.
When Chief Jusiic Paxson announced
that the first business in order was the
reading Of the commissions Of Governor
Beaver, Prothonotary tireene got up and
in clear. strong voice real the big
parchment commission which announced
that EIwin NJ Paxson is to remain
Chief Justice until the year 1896 If he
behaves himself we'll
There was slight little litter through
the court room when Prothonotary
Greene uttered the sosis ifhe behaves
himself WE'LL
The commissions Of Justices McCol-
lam and Mitchell were then read and
then Chef IHsiie Pdxson announced his
decisions. He vas followed by Justices
slerrett, Greene. Clark and Williams.
When ell the announcements had been
made the only departure from solemnity
during the session was made Chief
Justice Pazson, with merry twinkle
in his eyes. turned n Justice Mecollufn