The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-25
SUPREME COURT.
Harrison Makes it the Center of At
traction.


traction.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24,-The su-
preme court was the center of attrac-
ton at the capitol today. The news
that ex-President Harrison would ap-
pear in the California irrigation case
drew thousands through mud and rain
to the capitol, and for two hours be
fore noon the halls were thronged and
the doors besieged. Owing to the linn
tied space in the old senate chamber,
where the supreme court sits, few per
sons gained admission. In the court
room were some of the most prominent
men of the country, including Joseph
Choate.
Harrison took his seat at the table
Immediately in front Of the chief JUS
tice and became the target of all eyes.
1t was his first public appearance in
Washington since he left the White
House three years ago. His appear
ance had changed but slightly. The
careworn look had disappeared and
time seemingly had dealt kindly with
him. He consulted notes freely while
eX-Chief Justice Rhodes, who preceded
him, was speaking. There was a great
array of legal talent on both sides of
the case.
Mr.. Harrison appeared as special
counsel in the case IN favor of sustain
ing the constitutionality of the Wright
act, representing interested bondhold-
ers. The regular counsel in favor Of
sustaining the law were Judge Rhodes,
R. Percy Wright Of California and
John F. Dillon of New York and against
the law Joseph Choate Of New York,
R. H. Bond and George H. Maxwell
of California
Mr.. Harrison entered upon his argu-
ment as soon as Judge Rhodes had
finished He stood at the table, and
with his coat thrown back and hands
plunged at times in his pocket. and at
others resting akimbo on his hips or
pushed out on the desk in front of him.
he spoke with an earnestness and an
air Of what might be almost termed
pugnacIty that is characteristic of the
ex-president His voice seemed weak
as he began, but it became clear and
1rm as he proceeded. In opening he
wasted no time, but went to the heart
Of the contention at once.
/. In battle, he said, after the woods
had been shelled and the lines of The
enemy located. the issue was fought
out in very narrow compass. The
details of the case had been exhaus-
lively placed before the court. he said.
and ne would therefore confine him
self to what he regarded as the vital
lssue-the taxing power of the state.
That power he regarded as full. 1t was
proper that the state should under
take to control the water supplies in
the interest of its people and to dis
tribute through its delegated represen-
tatiYes-boards of directors incorpor-
ated under it's law. Mr. Harrison
called attention to the vast interests
Ringing on the decision in this case, as
a number of other states with irriga-
ton districts had followed the suit of
California and had passed laws almost
/ Identical with the Wright act
Several times while the ex-presfdent
was laying down a proposition or cit
ing case. Mr.. Choate, who sat at his
right shook his head in protest.
Mr.. Harrison summed up his argu-
ment briefly and concluded at o'clock,
having spoken almost an hour. The
crowd in the court room rapidly
thinned out as the other counsel pro-
ceeded.