First day as a justice is smooth for Roberts

WASHINGTON — Chief Justice John Roberts set a no-nonsense tone on his first day on the bench, taking a page from his mentor, William H. Rehnquist. There were blunt questions and sharp attention to the time clock.

The nation's 17th chief justice was given a ceremonial oath, then took his place in the seat that Rehnquist held for nearly two decades. It was a smooth transition.

"We know him well, and he has already earned our respect and admiration," Justice John Paul Stevens said before the court opened its new term.

Roberts, who made a career as a Supreme Court lawyer, appeared at home on the other side of the bench. At one point he sounded exasperated with a lawyer, snapping, "That's my question." He told another veteran attorney, with a skeptical tone, that the lawyer was suggesting that the court invent a new concept.

And Roberts cut off former Solicitor General Theodore Olson in mid-sentence when his time expired in a gasoline-tax case. Rehnquist, who died last month, was well-known for his strict timekeeping.

Roberts, 50, was deferential to his colleagues, who are all older. Before asking his first question on Monday, he let six other justices pose queries first, deferring when someone else spoke at the same time.

Before the day's work began, there was a breakfast and family photo opportunity outside the court. Some of the attention was taken away by President Bush's announcement of new justice nominee Harriet Miers at the White House.

Roberts now leads a court that has split 5-4 on major issues including affirmative action, capital punishment and restrictions on abortion. Roberts had an easy confirmation, in part because he is not expected to dramatically change the court. The nomination of Miers to replace moderate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor could be more contentious.

O'Connor is serving until her successor is confirmed and was on the bench Monday.

The first two cases of the term were technical, involving gasoline taxes and worker pay, but Roberts was a lively questioner. Cases to be argued on Wednesday include a Bush administration appeal over Oregon's physician-assisted-suicide law and the question of how parents of disabled children can contest education services.

Other controversial issues this term involve the death penalty, abortion and a protest of the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy for gays.