New-York tribune., 1902-12-09

OEuer WendeH Holmes Beeins HIS
Nee Duties.
SOME DECISIONS ANNOUNCED.

Washington. Dec S--The associate justice
of the United States Supreme Court. Oliver Wendell
Holmes. of Massachusetts, took the oath of office
to-day, and Immediately entered upon the discharge
of his duties. The ceremony was witnessed by as
large a concourse of people could find admission
TO the courtroom Justice Holmes walked in with
the members of the court, and when he reached
the desk OF Clerk Mckenney he stopped while the
other justices proceeded to their
When the opening of the court had been pro
claimed the Chief Justice announced the appoint
ment of Justice Holmes and directed that the
oath be administered Clerk McKenney then read
the Presidents commission designating Mr.. Holmes
as associate justice. and the printed oath of
office. This read by the justice in clear
and distinct tones. the entire court and the bar and
spectators standing meanwhile. This ceremony
pleted. Justice Holmes escorted to his seat
next to Justice Peckham. on the extreme left OF the
Chief Justice. Justice Peckham shook hands with
his new associate and all the other justices,
being at greater distance. bowed to him. All
then took their seats. and the regular business of
the day proceeded. The entire ceremony consumed
less than three minutes. Justice Holmes was as
signed to the First Circuit. which Justice Gray
formerly presided.
The court denied the petition for writ of GER
tiorari in the case of the United States against
Thomas kepneI of the Philippine Islands. This
proceeding of a criminal nature Kepner is
an attorney living in the islands. He pro-
ceeded against the charge of embezzlement by
the court of first instance in Manila. and was ac-
the insular Sup'eme Court Kepner alleged that
the government could regularly thus appeal the
case in criminal proceeding and asked this court
to interfere There considerable interest in
the case because it the first from the Philip
pine Islands. The court contented itself with a
formal denial OF the petition making
remarks whatever.
The court denied the motion recently filed in the
court 10 advance the New-York subway case for
oral argument, but the Chief Justice said that
early attention could be secured by submitting the
printed briefs
The court rendered opinion in the case of the
Iowa Life Insurance Company against Lulu T.
Lewis, involving the question whether
lection be made a life insurance policy on
which the premium has been paid In this
policy was issued by the Iowa company
the life of Thomas Nj. Lewis, of Fort Worth
Tex. who gave a .iote for the payment of The he
first premium. This note had never been paid or
renewed when Mr. Lewis died in 1900 The case
decided il favor of Mrs Lewis ythe Circuit
Court for the Northern District of Texas but
that decision was reversed by to-day's opinion
Z he opinion was handed down by Justice McKenna
The court affirmed the opinion of the Circuit
Court OF Appeals in the of the Knights Temp
lar and Masons Life Insurance Company against
Rosa B. Jarman The involved the validity of
the suicide statute Of Missouri of 1879 providing
that suicide shall not be defence against the paw
ment of life Insurance policy, the policy involved
being the life OF John p. Jarman, husband of
Hrs Rosa B. Jarman. who while insane took his