Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-03
New Members of US. Supreme
Court Enter Upon Duties. /.
BENCH is NOW COMPLETE
Judges Van Devauter and Lamar the
Latest Acquisitions =,
SIMPLE CEREMONIES TODAY
Oath Of Allegiance Administered
Privately by Chief Justice
in Robing Room.

The two vanacies on the bench of the
Supreme Court OF the United States were
filled today. when Judge Willis Van De-
vanter of Wyoming and Judge Joseph II.
Lamar of Georgia each took the oath OF
office as associate Justice and began i'm
medistely the performance OF the duties
of that position. For the first time In
nineteen months the bench was complete.
For the first time since the organization
OF the court. nearly century and
quarter ago. one President had commits
stoned within a single year five men who
sat upon the bench.
Oath Administered Privately.
The ceremonies attending the elevation
OF the two Judges to the Supreme court
oench were, as usual. simple Throughout
Chief Justice White administered 10 each
the oath of allegiance II was the drst
occasion upon which he had performed
this duty. The administration OF this
oath took place behind the closed doors
OF the robins room. just before the court
look its place on the bench at noon.
In cpen court. immediately after the
Justices had taken their places Chief Jus
tice White announced that the new mem
oers were present and ready to take the
oath. He referred to the judicial oath.
Escorted to Their Chairs.
The clerk OF the court was directed 70
read the commissions. Then Justice Van
Devanter, having been named first by the
PRESIDENT. took the oath, and was escort
ed by the marshal to the chair on the
extreme right OF the chief Justice. Justice
Lamar after he had subscribed to the
odtn, was shown to his seat which Was
at the extreme left OF the chief Justice
justice Lurton shook hands with Jus-
tlce van Devanter and Justice Hughes
Congratulated Justice Lamar This ended
the ceremony.
1t has been just nineteen months to the
gay since all Of the nine chairs on the
pench were occupied After MAY B. 1903
justice Moody. now retired. was com
pes,eo 10 lay aside his duties. and seek
restoration OF health in resofts of the
south. He was not successful and fnalIy
retired from the bench last November.
Taft's First Appointment.
Exactly a year ago. January 3. 1910.
Justice Lurton took the oath of Office a.
an associate Justice. He was the first
appointee to that bench made by Prssi-
dent Taft. He succeeded Justice Peck.
and Chief Justice Fuller died and Jus.
tics Moody retired. Justice Hughes was
appointed to succeed Justice Brewer. AZ.
socfate Justice White was promoted to
SuCCSeo SuteI justice ruler, ana To-Day
Justice Van Devanter took the place Of
Justice Moody. and Justice Lamar sucs
ceeded to the vacancy created by tho
promotion OF Justice White. All these
changes in the personnel on the bench
have taken place within . single year.
with the exception OF the death OF JuOA
tice Peckham. ,
Five Changes Within 4 Year.
Within q year President Taft thus has
placed on the bench Associate justices
Lurton. Hughes, Van Devanter and La.
mar and made Associate Justice White
the Chief Justice.
Only Washington has equaled this rec
ord. When the court was constituted five
judges bearing his commission went on
the bench with the first year jackson,
Lincoln and Grant each are credited with
naming five members of the court, but
their appointments spread over their en-
tire terms.
A distinguished gathering witnessed
the ceremonies. Precedents in the court
were broken by the first lady of the land.
Mrs. Taft, being given a seat within the
bar, along with c. p. Taft and Horace
D. Taft. brothers Of the President. Mrs.
Taft was accompanied also by Mrs. G. r.
Taft and Miss Louise Taft. Just behind
the Taft party sat Alton b. Parker. for
mer candidate for President.