No. 11—Marshal's Desk
No. 12—Reporters' Desk
No. 13—Attorney-General's Desk
No. 14—Counsel's Desk
In this hall Webster answered Hayne, and here Benton and John Randolph made their great speeches. On the left side of the Senate stood Calhoun in many a contest with Clay and Webster on the right.
One day Calhoun boasted of being the superior of Clay in argument. He said: "I had him on his back; I was his master; he was at my mercy."
Clay strode down the aisle, and, shaking his long finger in Calhoun's face, said: "He my master! Sir, I would not own him for my slave!"
It is said to be the handsomest court room in the world. Every week-day from October till May, except during Christmas and Easter holidays, just at twelve o'clock the crier enters the court room and announces: "The Honorable Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States," at which everybody, including visitors and lawyers, stand. Just then nine large, dignified old gentlemen, led by Chief Justice Fuller, kicking up their long black silk robes behind them, enter the room; each, standing before his chair, bows to the lawyers, the lawyers and spectators bow to them, then all are seated.
The crier then opens court by saying: "O yea! O yea! O yea! All persons having business with the honorable the Supreme Court of the United States are admonished to draw near and give their attendance, as the court is now sitting. God save the United States and this honorable court."
After this quaint little speech business begins.