The Washington times., 1903-03-23
"REMINISCENCES OF
THE SUPREME COURT
Personal Pecuiaes Anecdotes and Narratives Culled
From Recollections of Former Attache of Tribunal

Perhaps no institution Of the American
Government has so Interesting though
brief a history as the Supreme Court
out the United States Very few peo-
pie outside the members of the legal
profession know much OF the organiza-
ion of that august body OF OF the per-
sonnel Of the court and the ways of It's
workings. Il is hardly possible to ac-
quire this knowledge except by long
study and research or by close intimacy
with members Of the highest tribunal
In the land
William Henry Dennis. prominent
member Of the District bar. who for e
long time was q "stenographic clerk
for Justice BIatchford Of the Supreme
Court Of the United States. in discuss
ing the subject Of the organization Of
the court. and its members and their
work said
Four Periods.
The evolution OF the Supreme Court
Of the United States might be divided
into four periods First. that OF its be
ginning At the close OF the eighteenth
century from 1889 to 1893, when there
were four Chief Justices appointed: sec
ond. the distinct era. the long terms
Of Chief Justice Marshall and Tanev:
third. from the time of the death Of
Justice Taney 10 the close Of the civil
war. and fourth. from that time to the
present
AT the October term. 1856. the court
was headed by Chief Justice Waite.
man Of the most rugged honesty and
transparent sincerity Of purpose, and a
thoroughly sound iurist. He was ap-
pointed. as you know. by President
Grant as third choice after the selec-
tion first of Attorney General Williams
and then Of Caleb Cushing. who we're
unacceptable to the Senate.
President Grant. with all due re-
spect to his greatness. was considered
by many lawyers a little peculiar in re-
gard 90 his feelings toward the profes-
sion and the bench. I have heard an
eminent Judge. now in retirement. relate
that the victor of Appomattox in early
life had some experience with the law
or lawyers which left him with a feeling
amounting almost 70 a violent preju-
dice.
A Peculiar Case.
In one case. this Judge said. when
General Grant was demonstrated with
for nominating a man to a judgeship
who was not even a lawyer he replied
with some appearance OF surprise at this
Information, that he had been informed
that the man had studied law for several
months. This may have been an exag-
geration. Certainly the selection of
Chief Justice waite did credit to Presi-
dent Grants discernment.
The senior Associate Justice was
Samuel +. Miller. man of remarkable
mental strength and ability, and with
remarkable career. He began life as a
farmer. then studied medicine and prac-
ticed il successfully before he decided
TO change his profession and study for
the bar. 10 which he was admitted at
the age OF thirty-six- 1t was a disap-
pointment TO many that he was not pro
NOTED 10 the Chief Justieeship upon the
death Of Chase, but such a promotion
seems TO be one Of the most unlikely
things 70 happen.
Next TO him in seniority was Justice
Field. destined to live out the longest
term OF service OF any Of the court. and
nOted TOT MS independence in regard 10
dissent from the majority Of the court
In his later years upon the bench. il it
is allowable TO speak Of physical mfr
nifty when no disrespect Is intended. he
gave an unintended and delusIve en-
couragement to counsel who we're not
accustomed to the personalities OF the
Supreme Court
T,rgTsra I,oT5J-
They would observe that Justice
Field appeared TO be agreeably nodding
assent to their successive assertions in
their argument and were encouraged 10
address themselevs particularly 10 him
AS a matter OF fact. a slight nervous
affection OF the muscles OF the neck was