The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1901-05-29
Reading Of Insular Case Decis-
ion Was Awe-Inspiring.
GOVERNMENT is SUSTAINED
YlcieEy ior the Administration on the Vital
Question Of Expansion - Decisions
FsyOrably Criticised Conflict.
Ing Accounts Ia New York.

NEW YORK, May 2S.-Describing the
scenes In the court room of the United
States supreme court when 1t rendered
its decisions In the insular cases. a spe-
cial dispatch 10 the Tribune from
Washington says:
No such crowd either as to numbers
or distinguished personnel had been
seen in the room as that assembled, and
long lines OF eager people stretched in
both directions from the doors down
the gloomy corridors Of the great Capt.
toi building. The colored bailiffs at the
doors had all they could do to hold
the anxious thromg on the outside in
check and then protect the august trl-
bunal from being rudely shocked. The
bare rlmor that the court would render
its decision in the insular suits sent peo-
pie TO the Capitol in frenzy Of excite
ment.
Promptly at noon the court crier an
nounced the appearance of "the honor
able. the chief justice Of the United
States supreme court and the honorable
associated justices" as those dgnitaries
In their black robes Of Office emerged
from an ante room on the north Of
the chamber Disappointment darken-
ed every face in the chamber save the
nine faces Of those on the bench, as
Justice McKenna in a trembling voice
began to read a decision in some or
dirary litigation by direction Of Chief
Justice Fuller. immediately after the
Justices were seated. Justice McKenna.
th8 youngest member Of the court in
point Of service, was followed by Justice
Peckham. the next youngest member.
who droned out half audibly a decis-
ion in another case Of no general inter-
est.
Rar and spectators were about TO de-
spair Of hearing the long looked for
opinion delivered before Justice Peck
ham had finished his task. when the
voice OF Justice Brown rang out the
George R. Bidweil. collector"
The crowd then knew thar the court
was ready to deliver its decision in the
great cases, and impatlence Immediately
turned to an eager interest that was
awe-inspiring. Justice Brown mad read
scarcely third of the opinion before it
became evident that the decision was
against the government.
In the second opinion read by Justice
Brown. ii was made manifest that the
reversal Of the court below in the De
Lima case was not defeat for the gov
ernment, because the De Lima claim
was based on grounds materially differ
ent from those on which the govern
ment had planted its standard. De Lii
ma had paid tariff duties prior to the
passage of the Foraker act and most Of
the other cases were a challenge Of
This law. These latter cases were all !
decided in favor of the government,
Justice White 'was particularly elo-
quent anl forceful in expOunding his
views showing a depth of conviction
and breadth of learning that will give
him high standing among the great |
Jurists of the world
In his dissenting opinion Justice Har-
Ian was passionate and oratorical. It
is declared by people who heard his ia
nous dissent in the income tax decision
that he was even more earnest and vehe-
ment than he was on the other occas-
ion. Justice Brewer. who also llssented
from the majority opinion, spoke not
word during the entire proceedings nor
did Justice Shiras. who agreed with the
majority decision. Chief Justice Full
ler's dissent is reglrded as a fine speci-
men OF composition and it was deliv
cred with a calm demean0r that is
Of the learned head Of
the court