New-York tribune., 1896-01-26

Gushing and Blair. who were born in the same
After it was all over and the Senate had con-
frmed his appointments. Washngto on wrote the
following in private letter TO his nephew BUSH
My political conduct in nominations, even II
were and Sy bToa ssns just criticism
for the eyes of Argus are upon me ana no s'io -
supposed pariiaiity for friends and rel atiyes
Though all were up the standard OF emneh'
nstoans Choice Of Wilson and Harrison not
more less innuen ed by personal friehtsn'P. n s
Harrison was lawyer whose PATRIOTISM ana az, Az
miraon for Washington led him 70 thro" up MI nj
profession for The Army He necthe, ,sntanl
Washirgtons secretary. with the rank o. M ~ H.
an.-colonel and for six years was one OF re i'
tary family Of the Conmandcr-in-' @ mea, nrsopsI
cial Intercourse ripened into ~aiii ,,'ar
friendship Wilson. though using IL,
preceptor. Washington himself placing ms s ne
nephew under Wilson'S care ana paEIns aVr NJ
standing his c,rcumspect conduct and fear Of the
eyes OF Argus President Washington was, op, i"
Presidents of later times And when. a few years
after writing the above to his favorte nephew tne
Washington went a long step further in Partially
for roaves and appointed ihs i4vori'e . ~ M
successors has ever venturcd TO do No PRESIDENT
in the last half century would conIeIHp,r'eb b lo
premc Bench. or even IA relative further removed
4 senate however strong in the supper, of the
Administration. would not consider for q moment
the qualifications OF such nominee put WIN p,oi,p;
unanimlty would reject him on the sole GROUND
no Prcsident since Washington has made 50
Ronrh ali caused bv resgnatlo> hut one-the death
OF Wilson. At that time men had NOT the hiEn
supreme court Of the United states which they
have shown In later years and which 10 more re
than one man has made the supreme Bthch 1ne
height of his ambition. There were voluntary resg,
nations, which seldom or never nave nIppetIeu IaI
since; positions on the bench went DegsIht' ue1
clned in turn by three or four indvidnals' ana
the remarkable example OF an ASSOCIATE justice ice
refusing the appointment OF Chlei JUST li,|s pe
lorgs alone to President Washngtons Admins
""''''' THE FIRST SESSIONS.
The sessions % the first Supreme Court were
held twice a year. beginning the first Mon
day in February and tho first MONDAY In August
Four members constituted quorum, and the Asso-
ciate justices ranked they now do-accordlns
to the date Of their commissions. The court opehed
on February 2 1870 with considerable ceremony
IN the "prcscnce OF Edmund Randolph. Attorney
General: the Judges OF the supreme court OF inc
state Of New-York the Mayor and the Recorder Of
the city the Marshal. Sheriff many gentlemen OF
the bar members Of Congress- anI a number oi
| respectable citizens" In the evening the Hrdnd
Jnrv for the United States In tho District gave A
very elegant entertainment IN honor oi the Court
at Fraunccss Tavern in Broad-st. The liberaliy
displayed on this occasion and good order ana har-
nony which presided save particular satisfaction
rho next morning tho court assembled. apparent
tlias Tordno. and Richard Harrison Of Ncv-York.
.nI Thomas Hartley. OF Pennsylvania. were sever
alv sworn as required 10y law, and w'I" adnii''u
! as coI1sellors. their names being 'nrplfI Oh
parchment The justices then. after rev mo-
rnr,t,s of ofi.i talk. decided on tho seal ~ inc
1 court and said n should b" the arms OF III" tnlt'
states engraved q piece OF steel the - y" or 4
dollar. having ON the margin the "OrIs- ne 81
OF tho supreme Court. ana indi the s'slS ol .',
. circuit courts should Doe the arms OF m" nltt''
s,af-s encravel or pieces of silver tn" siz' oi q
q haie-Iollar w!tn me words. seal OF N" Crcui'
Cont" Happily There were neither artstS nor
, designs - contend with IN inat cary 1aN iol
Congressional Committees on Az. 10 l'd4 lti'"
astr.v. 50 the iusices followed ih'ir own pdVlo,'
Instincts ana made short hut excellent WORK or 't
/ seals Ou the same day. after appointing corr
I and crer. the court Adjourned until the hiS'
/ MONDAY To August. .
! Tho most sir,ning feature ~ no supreme 'oNr'
! r ifs nr-t YEAR that n hai noiAinE 70 "'
/ either Al tho February or August term, 'ttn o'
/ v.i.r i.st,l only two davs History records ina
mo, single liilg CANT had appeared Al IN" phr u'
! silence had boon unhrok'n hy TN" voice "i ,3'iS'
/ I'm argument. Tn" table was unpir4'h'l bN .,'
/ weight o., learned hr!ets. No papc'" W'r' on NI.
/ ,o. . s.nci. decision existed. The Judges W'f'
b fh.re hut - huslI'ss fh'lr wh' non'. Not on
sr-.afor u that hour though eftel Win the cage
I a.. ~ r~ouhes. could have f1l"s"'n uai out 4"
/ mar modest assoubiazc Il gentlemen nnheAri 9
ana unihought of among the tribunals "i IN. ear u
J court without docket ~ithout I''''r Wln
I orf A writ, % untrlcd powers. ana Of hhl", iIn'
T t.,fsllrfion there would be- developed IN the spa
/ 30 :. r.nfiIr, a court OF which the an lent worl'
T could rr.-eu. no model. ana th' hol'rH D,tS
~, n,raiiel. \ court whc-" derreeS woven iik'
.h-.sds ~ aoI into the priceless ana iinp"rl@h
an. fahr.c os constitutional JIrlslrIlricf
v.3ull bind IN -hc bonds Of our liberty ana IA" 'h'
members - ono great Republic