The Washington times., 1903-03-23

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-
tion Of that august body or OF the per-
sonnel OF the court and the ways OF its
workings. II is hardly possible 10 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, a prominent
member of the District bar. who for a
long time was a "stenographic clerk
for Justice Blatchford 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 1883 10 1893. when there
were four Chief Justices appointed: sec
ond the distinct era. the long terms
Of Chief Justice Marshall and Taney:
third. from the time OF the death of
Justice Taney TO 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. a
man Of the most rugged honesty and
transparent sincerity of purpose, and a
thoroughly sound jurist. He was ap-
pointed. as you know, by President
Grant as a third choice after the selec-
tion 1rst OF Attorney General williams
and then Of Caleb Cushing. who were
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 TO his feelings toward the profes-
sion and the bench. 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 10 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 tudgeship
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 diseernment.
THE senior Associate Justice was
Samuel f. Miller, a man OF remarkable
mental strength and ability, and with a
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. TO which he was admitted at
the age OF thirty-siK. 1t was a disap-
pointment 10 many that he was not pro-
NOTED TO the Chief Justiceship upon the
death OF Chase, but such a promotion
seems 10 be one OF the most unlikely
things 10 happen.
Next TO him in seniority was Justice
Field. destined 10 live out the longest
I.
noted for his independence in regard 10
dissent from the majority of the court.
In his later years upon the bench. il IL
is allowable TO speak Of physical mfr
nifty when no disrespect IS intended. he
gave an unintended and deIusive en-
couragement 70 counsel who we're not
accustomed TO the personalities Of the
Supreme Court.
Justice Fields Popularity.
They would observe that Justice
Field appeared to be agreeably nodding
assent to their successive assertions in
their argument and we're encouraged to
address themselves particularly TO him.
As a matter of fact. a slight nervous
affection OF the muscles OF the neck was
NAnTnnHgIH OnEIlInn mum