Formal Address Quotes
Many people notice that in the House of Representatives in a debate or a speech the speaker always addresses “Mr. Speaker.” This was the rule voted on by the first House. The purpose was to avoid the legislators shouting at each other and getting into personal arguments and insulting each other. Try it. It’s hard to be angry with someone when you have to argue through a third person.
Rehnquist was a bit of an egomaniac. He was more pompous than other chief justices and was distressed that lawyers in oral arguments would address him as “Mr. Justice,” like the other justices, which he felt did not give sufficient deference to his position. He also designed a set of judicial robes for himself which instead of being all black as was traditional and worn by the other justices, had 4 gold stripes on each arm sleeve. See the photograph of the Chief Justice.
