The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-25

4 nc HldJOrlty OF the men on the bench at
that time wrote briefly. Justice B. was
entertained ct dinner az Mr.. Weights house.
after the dim er the host set ouS a bottle of
line old whisky. Under its glowing infiu-
ence Justice W. became companionable and
good-natured. In the midst Of CONVERSE
ton about the court and its work Mr. Wright
said to Justice W., mentioning the case in
which he was interested:
81 suppose" said he, that the decision in
that case VIII be long one, there being so
many points involvedF'
las long as the moral law, my boy.n said
the old justice, as he smiled benevolently
upon his host. That was all that he said
upon the subject. Mr.. Wright, however.
knew from this remark that il was tie par
tcular justice who wrote long decisions
who was preparing the one in this case
ms gave him the cue for the decision, and
ne bought stock based upon this Judgment
It proved correct, and he gained exactly
S2OO,OOO from this careless remark Of the
too amiable justice.
One Monday, which is decision day in the
supreme court, Reverdy johnson advanced
to the bench. Decisions were then being
read. Justice Davis was the next in turn.
be had an important decision lying in front
OF him. Reverdy johnson, one OF the most
prominent lawyers in that court, intimate
with Justice Davis, leaned over to him lust
before be began TO read and said: ~ have
got train to make. 1t leaves in twenty
minutes. am Obliged to go TO Baltimore
Tor an important engagement. will there
fore be unable to remain for the reading of
your decision. AS you are TO read it in the
next five minutes, l trust you will not re-
gard 1t as indiscreet if ask you to give me
just the point of it, as cannot wait to hear
it reads
Justice Davis looked down at him wi th q
shrewd twinkle in his brown eyes.
Mr.. johnson" said he, lit will take me
twenty-five minutes to read that decision
If tell you the point OF it now you can get
60 the telegraph wire within five minutes
You will then have twenty minutes advan-
tage OF any stock operator in the field, and
am told by those who know that if your
information is correct twenty minutes ed
vance is as good as a year. think you
had better break your engagement in Bal
tlmore and sit down aud watt
Mr.. johnson smiled, backed off, sat
down, and made no attempt to leave tie
court room to keep the important engage
ment that he had mentioned.
Another story about Justice Davis was
about a reporter who came to see him when
he was senator of tie United States, after
be had resigned from the supreme court,
de was elected by the Illinois legislature
after deadlock. He was elected as an in
dependent candidate. He left the bench
and came into the Senate, where he acted
independently of beth parties. 1t was an
almost impossible position for any man to
occupy, but his long judicial training and
the habits OF the bench made him above
ordinary criticism. He sat through the
debates, and listened as attentively to the
political arguments OF both sides as when he
was judge. He is the only man in Ameri-
can politics who has been able to maintain
an independent positionin congress between
the two parties without losing the respect
OF his associates, and without being accused
OF having interested motives He was 50
dignifed, however, so upright and so care
fdl, that bis votes, first with one party, and
then with the other, while they were SUBJ
ject to criticism, were as much respected as
were his decisions on the bench
Party spirit ran high in the Senate,
and as the power of the two parties was
evenly divided, the Judge often
held the controlling vote. For this reason
he was constant subject of attention upon
the part of the newspapers. just before
the Senate met in its second session after
his election, the judge arrived in Washing.
ton and took up his quarters at the National
hotel, as usual. While there he received
one morning the card Of a newspaper re-
porter representing some Philadelphia pa
per. The Judge sent down the usual
message that he could come up. The
judge was alone. He said afterward there
came into the room young fellow
about IS years of age. His brown
hair was cropped short all over his head
His face, which was still covered with the
down of youth, was as freckled as part
ridge egg The hight of youth and energy
flashed from his dancing blue eyes. There
was no trace of shrinking modesty about
this caller. He advanced without a word
of introduction to the Judge, and seized
him by the hand, as he said:
"Glad to see you, Judge How are you to-
dav! When did you get in?"
The great Judge looked blandly at his
youthful caller and said Young man. who
are you!n
20, never mind who I am" said the re-
porter. 'You got my card all right, dare
say. You know the Philadelphia paper
that represent. just called to ask you
few questions"
But, young man, - said the Judge.
co." said the reporter; 'it is nothing. l
just wanted to ask you which side of the
fence you were going to be on this year, or
whether you were still going to stay on the
top rail-"
The elephantine Judge looked at this
downy siipof youth with majestic benevo-
lence as the said slowly. firmly and'kindly:
Fair young sir, WON'T say that you are
impsrtinent or impudent, because do not
ing youth. But wish simply to say to
you that it is not my habit to talk to peo-
pie do not know about my plans or politi-
cal aspirations.
"Now don't apologize" said the reporter,
II know your position is an embarrassing
one up there on that top rail, not knowing
which way to flop. Don't say another word
about it. l wouldn't think of pressing you
on it. am awfully sorry l mentioned it,
because can see it has caused you positive
embarrassment"
Here the freckled youth rose with great
composure, ducked his sand-papered head,
and before the judge actually knew what
he was doing, he had him by the hand
shaking him farewell, as he said: "Eope
to have the pleasure of seeing you again
soon, judge" aud went out.
The judge was economical and careful Of
his money. His little Office in the Natioaal
hotel was fitted up exactly as was his Office
in Illinois when ne first went there as
young man. 1t was furnished with wooden
chairs with stout wicker seats, long pine
table, and a case for books He always
worked here with candles. Gas in his work
room he would not have. While he was
rigidly careful in all Of his personal expendi-
lures, SO careful that people often thought
him stipgy, he was yet one of the most
generous of men. He supported number
of Door relatives, and was always ready to
respond TO any worthy appeal for charity.
This became known after a time, and his
life was made miserable by professional
W IL