The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-04
JUSTICES TAKE
OATH OF OFFICE
New Members OF United States
Supreme Court Enter Upon
Duties.
BENCH IS NOW COMPLETE
Judges Van Devanter and
Lamar the Latest
Acquisitions.


Washington. January 3-The two
vacancies on the bench of the Supreme
Court of the United States were filled
to-day, when judge Willis Van De-
vanter, of Wyoming, and Judge Joseph
r. Lamar. of Georgia, each took tho
oath of office as associate justice and
began Immediately the performance Of
the duties OF that position. For the
tlrst time in nineteen months the bench
was complete. For the first time since
the organization of the court nearly a
centuary and quarter ago. ono Presi-
dent has commissioned within single
year tive men who sat upon the bench.
Oath Administered Privately.
The ceremonies attending the eleva-
ton of the two Judges to the Supreme
Court bench were. as usual simple
throughout Chief Justice White ad-
ministered to each the oath OF alieG-
lance 1t was the first occasion upon
winch he had performed this duty
The administration of this oath took
place behind the closed doors OF the
robing room. Just before the court took
It's place on the bench at noon.
In open court. Immediately after the
Justices had taken their places. Chief
Justice White announced that the new
members were present and ready TO
take the oath He referred TO the Judi
cial oath
Escorted to Their Chairs.
The clerk of the court was directed
to read the commissions. Then Justice
Van Devanter. having been named first
by the President, took the oath. and
was escorted by the marshal to the
chair on the extreme right OF the chief
justice. Justice Lamar, after he had
subscribed TO the OATH was shown TO
his seat which was at the extreme LETT
of the chief justice.
Justice Lurton shook hands with
Justice Van Devanter. and Justice
Hughes congratulated Justice Lamar.
This ended the ceremony.
1t has been just nineteen months to
the day since all of the nine chairs on
the bench were occupied. After Nav
3, 1909, Justice Moody. now retired.
was compelled to lay aside his dutie,
and seek restoration or health in re-
sorts of the South. He was not sue
cessful and finally retired from the
bench last November.
Taft's First Appointment.
Exactly year ago. January 5. 1910,
Justice Lurton took the oath of office
as an associate justice. He was the first
appointee to that bench made by Presi-
dent Taft. He succeeded Justice Peck
ham, deceased. Then Justice Brewer
and Chief Justice Fuller died ana Jus
tlce Moody retired. Justice Hughes was
appointed to succeed Justice Brewer.
Associate Justice White was appointed
TO succeed Chief Justice Fuller. and to-
day Justice Van Devantcr took tho
place OF Justice Moody. and Justice
Lamar succeeded to the vacancy Great
ed by the promotion of Justice White.
All these changes in the personnel on
the bench have taken place within a
single year. with the exception of the
death OF Justice Pcckham.
Five ChnnGcs Within Year.
Within year President Taft thus
has placed on the bench Associate Jus
tees. Lurton, Hughes. Van Dcvantcr
and Lamar and made Associate Justice
White the chief justice.
Only Washington has equaled this
record. When the court was consti-
tutcd. i've Judges hearing his commits
sion went on the bench with the tirst
year. Jackson. Lincoln and Grant each
are credited With naming I'VE members
of the court but their appoint ment"
spread over their entire terms.
a distinguished gathering witnessed
tho ceremonies. Presidents in the court
were broken by the first lady of the
land, Mrs. Taft, being given seat
within the bar, along with C. p Taft
and Horace u. Taft. brothers of the
President. Mrs. Taft was accompanied
also by Mrs. C. .. Taft and Miss Louise
Taft. lust behind the Taft party sat
Alton b. Parker, former candidate for
President.