Supreme Court Etiquette of Old

 

Pictured above, Chief Justice Morrison-Waite . Morrison-Waite was the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1874 to 1888. At the time, the wife of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court was considered the official “First Lady” of the United States, as the Supreme Court positions were appointments for life, unlike the position of President, which is merely a temporary position, or “temp job.”

In former times, lawyers were expected to appear before the Court in full evening dress, but that custom has been relaxed, and the customary dress for members of the Bar is a black frock coat and black trousers. Occasionally, though, a deviation from this is observed, chiefly among lawyers from the West, where such things are not closely attended to, and the Court passes it over. But when a Western lawyer some time ago presumed to appear before the Court without a cravat, the Justices caused it to be intimated to him that such free and easy attire was not agreeable to them. 

The Supreme Court takes precedence of every other body in the Government, ranking in official etiquette next to the President and his official family. On formal occasions, the members walk next the President and his Cabinet, and they are entertained at dinner at the White House before either House of Congress. On the day they organize for the full term — the first Monday in October — they immediately proceed to the White House to pay their respects formally to the President. As soon as the members of the Court are ushered into the East Room, the President appears. To keep the Court waiting five minutes would be an unpardonable breach of etiquette. — Daly Alta, 1886

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia