Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-12-20
JUSTICE.
WHITE SWORN
INTO OFFICE
FIRST CONFEDERATE TO
HOLD THIS HIGH POSITION
Ceremonies Marked by Ex-
trene Simplicity and Oath Is
Subscribed to From Judges
Seat on Bench,
Isy Morning Journal special Leased wlreI

IBy Morning journal Special Leased WlreI
Washington, Dec. 19.---In the pres
enee of distinguished gathering in
the little court room. Edward Doug
lass White was today elevated from
associate justice in the supreme court
OF the United States to the chief JUS
| ticeship.
The climax of the ceremonies oc-
Cured when Associate Justice Har-
administered the judicial oath. II
was subscribed to on the bench itself,
instead OF at the clerks desk. as is
ordinarily the case.
Chief Justice White, while taking
the oath, held in his hand a Bible
which has been used by nearly every
chief justice and associate Justice and
similar occasions in the last century,
but unlike most of them, he kissed
the book at the conclusion of the
oath,
Because of the Overwhelming mod
esty of Chief Justice White. officials
of the court were uncertain as to the
ENUtA uEldliN VI ltlG ttItuiOHN VI tit
day until they had actually occurred.
In a general way. the broad customs
attending the induction into office of
the head of the court were followed
Unlike the Inauguration of a presi-
dent as the head of the coordinate
branch Of the government, the m
duction into office of a chief justice
Of the United States has always been
q comparatively unostentatious oc-
casion. Instead of an escort from
the capitol TO the White House com
posed OF gaily attired civic organiza-
ions and seasoned military commands,
a new chief justice has only his black
robed brethren on the bench in pro-
cession from the rohing room TO the
court room: instead Of his approach
being heralded by the loud huzzas OF
cheering thousands, the advance 10
power of new chief Justice is an
nounced hy nothing more than the
solitary tones Of the court order; in
stead of an inaugural address outlin-
ing his policies the only utterances
of a new chief justice Is the solemn
words OF his oath OF office.
The dignity resting in the customs
founded on the swearing into office
of John JAY John Rutedge oliver
and John Marshall, and
perfected IN the days of Roger B.
fancy salmon p. Chase, Morrison Il.
waite and Melville w. Fuller was not
disturbed today by radical
The ceremonies OF elevatlng an as
sociate Justice of the court into the
chief iusticeship of the nation began
In the secret confines of the courts
robing room. 1t is here that the oath
If allegiance Is administered, just be-
fore the court takes its place on the
bench The oath prepared for to-
lays occasion, followed the form pre-
icribed by law 1t read:
Il. Edward Douglass White, do sol
smnly swear that ! VIII support and
lefend the constitution OF the United
states against all enemies, foreign
md domestic that | will bear true
aith and allegiance to the same; that
take this obligation freely, without
my mental reservation or purpose of
,vasion, and that l will well and
aithfully discharge the duties of the
,ffice on which l am about to enter
10 help me God
1t was a similar oath of allegiance
hat created such a tempest in the
curt back In reconstruction days.
fence unusual interest was centered
n its administration today to the
irst chief justice. who had borne
rms in the cause OF the Confederacy
" the senior associate justice of the
curt, Justice Harland, who had
orne arms at the same time in the
ause of the nation.
Doubt had existed before the cere-
lonies as TO whether the new chief
istice would halt at the clerks desk
/ the court room to take the oath
1ere as most of the men who have
coupled positions on the bench have
one, or whether he would assume
is usual place on the bench and
Ike the oath there as Chief Justice
hase did. There was doubt also as
whether ne would hold in his hand
he historic Bible that practically all
le chief justices and associate JUS
ces have used In this ceremony or
hether he would follow the custom
Chief Justice Chase in taking tho
lth on a Bible provided for the oc-
lsion.
The oath which the new chief JUS
"a subscribed To In the open court
known as the judicial oath as dis
1guished from the oath Of alleg-
nee. IL read.
Il Edward Douglass White, do
lemnly swear that l will administer
stice without respect TO persons,
III do equal right to the poor and
the rich, and that / viii faithfully
a impartally discharge and per-
rm All the duties incumbent on me
chief Justice of the United states
eording To- the best Of my abilities
Il understanding. agreeably TO the
Institution and laws of the United
haI f.nH -