Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 03.pdf/92

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
There was a problem when proofreading this page.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

7i

Mr. Binney sums up the Chief-Justice's believe that the externals of justice have more important services : his interpretation something to do with its efficient administra of the Statute of Limitation in Assumpsit; tion; and that the barriers of outward form his placing in the Commonwealth the prop cannot be entirely thrown down without be erty of the beds of navigable rivers; his getting a familiarity between the bar and the shaping of the Land Office system; and his bench alike injurious to both; and endanger establishing the administration of Equity ing that feeling of deep reverence for the through Common Law forms. He also wrote Judiciary which belongs to the morals of the citizen, as it docs to the creed of the law

the report of the judges upon which of the Eng lish statutes were to yer." Deep reverence for anything is sup be held as already in force in Pennsylvania, posed by many Ameri and what others were cans to be an invasion to be incorporated in of their liberty and the law of the State. self-respect. But who As might be supposed ever thinks that you in a man whose re can reconcile with re finement bred diffi publican simplicity a decent outward man dence and distaste for ner of conducting what the conspicuous, Tilghis in itself solemn, mandisliked thescenic must have been glad to effects with which Mcsee the Pennsylvania Kean had invested the Supreme Court lately office of Chief-Jus return a little to robes tice. It had been Mcof state, and adopt a Kean's wont not to dignified and simple, walk to the court-room, but distinguishing cos but to proceed there. tume. The result is Each morning the all that could be de sheriff with his rod of sired, both as to sim office, and other offi plicity and fitness. It cials, would assemble is to be regretted that outside the Chief-Jus JOHN BANNISTER' GIBSON. the new and very com tice's lodgings, who fortable rooms in the thereupon descending in his scarlet gown and great cocked hat, Public Buildings, of which the Court was went to the court-house escorted with much lately put in possession, should be decorated circumstance. Tilghman swept all this away, in a way at once so inappropriate and so vul and walked like any other man. But Mr. gar. The expensive and staring slabs, the McKean was the nearer right of the two. trivial statuettes, the intricate and fulsome To be sure, such pomp tickled his personal chandeliers and ceiling, and the pitiful light relish for power, but it also marked his gray-green hangings make the place seem office with pictorial dignity; and pictorial the performance of some milliner, and not a dignity is not to be underrated. Mr. first-rate one. The occasion of putting the McCall, whom it was impossible to meet Court in possession of these rooms will be even once without gaining a respect for him remembered by those who had the privilege which subsequent acquaintance could only to witness it. It is not often that a basket heighten, has said: " I am one of those who of roses is offered to a Chief-Justice as he