THE U. S. SUPREME COURT.
By Henry Carlton Lewis
[Henry Carlton Lewis, in the Pilgrim for January.] THE court opens at twelve o'clock each day during its sessions. Precisely at that hour the crier, well groomed and dignified, rises and announces in measured, stentorian tones: "The Honorable, the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States." This is the signal for all present to rise. When the crier finishes the announcement, a door to the left of the Bench opens, and the Justices, robed in black silk gowns, enter in single file and march in solemn procession to their places, the Chief Justice leading. When all have reached their chairs, the bar bows reverently and the salutation is returned by the Court. The Justices then seat themselves, the bar and spectators doing likewise. The crier then steps forward and opens the court by announcing: "Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! all persons having business with the Honorable Supreme Court of the United States are admonished to draw near and give attention, as the Court is now in sitting. God save the United States and this Honorable Court." The last words are emphasized by a vigorous pound of his gavel. Chief Justice Fuller, whose long white hair always commands admiration, asks if there are any candidates for admission to the bar of the Court. If there be any, they qualify and are sworn in. He then nods to the members of the bar that the Court is ready to hear them. His countenance is not that of the conventional, stern Justice; it is one of smiles. His speech is soft and suave. The arguments are conducted in moderate tones. The style is conversational. Thundering invectives and declamations are rarely heard. The lawyers well know that this Court is to be convinced only by solid argument and unanswerable logic. Boys from twelve to eighteen years of age act as pages. They stand back of the Bench and at the slightest suggestion from a Justice of a desire to be served in any way one of them is at his side to receive the command. Seniority of service on the Bench is rewarded by seats near the Chief Justice. The two oldest in the service are seated on either side of, and next to him, and then follow the others in proper order, so that the two junior Justices are on the extreme ends of the bench. When a new member of the Court is to be sworn in, the Chief Justice announces the receipt by the Court of the commission, and calls upon the clerk to read the document. The oath is then administered by the clerk. The new Justice kisses the antique Bible which has been in use in the Court for more than a century, and he is then escorted by the marshal to his place on the Bench, where he is received by the other members of the Court standing. He bows to his fellow Justices, and receives bows from them in return. He then bows to the bar and takes his seat on the Bench.