Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-01-02


change of civilities among high officials
and distinguished visitors at the ma
tional metropolis, their respective rank,
ms recognized in social life, becomes q
subject of inquiry by new arrivals
We therefore jot down few points
which will be found to accord with old
time usages:
l. All officials and non-ofilcials call
on the President. He is not required
to return calls or to accept invitations,
but may waive this exception at dis
icretions All are admitted to his public
or formal receptions without cards or
invitation, as well as to Mrs Presidents
reception on stated days, of which no.
tice is usually given in the city papers.
State dinners are attended BY those
only who are formally invited--which
invitation cannot be declined on ac-
count of any prior engagement.
2. Senators who observe the old
nsages make no "first calls, = on account
OF recognized superior rank, except on
the President Of the United States
Through courtesy to their own presid-
ing officer they may make the first
call = on the Vice President, but not by
virtue of any supposed high official
position. Senator'S do not admit that
he has any rank other than that of au
officer of the Senate, whose duty it is
to enforce their rules made and inter-
preted by themselves for their own
convenience; that all beyond this at
taching to the Vice President is mcre-
ly prospective something like that
which attaches to aan heir apparent y
to the throne, commanding the respect
which springs from a recognition of
possible future official rank which does
not yet exist, and which may never
arise.
But Senators are expected to return
calls Ike other inortals and among
themselves to observe the usual rules
regulating the-intercourse of private
gentlemen. Those first at the capital
make tho advance, welcoming afteIsar-
;rivals.
8. Heads Of Departments aud for
eign ministers make q first call . on the
President Vice President, aud Sena-
tors.
4. Members Of the House make
" first calls on the foregoing officials.
and judges of the Supreme Court Of
the United States.
5, None Of the. olaeses above mc,.
toned arc expected 10 make s.first
calls'' on citizens, seiourners and yisi-
tors, bat arc expected to return such
calls In person, or .sbv CARD when per-
sonal calls are impracticable.
These old usaucs were not establish-
ed without friction. discussion ana
even rebellion on the mart az the am
bilious wives and daughters of mem.
bcrs of these different classes Of h,uh
dignitaries. And 1t is said that even
vet the contest is not definitely settled
to the satisfaction OF the female mem.
bers Of Tho families OF some Of these
great officials. The Mra Grundies
whisper it 10 the public that the bril-.
liant and accomplished Mrs. Secrcta-
ries SO and so consider ii ridiculous
that zoe, who are the Presidents con-
stitutional adyifers, should pay court
to the sstupids' Of the supreme bench.
aud the nobody wifcs Of the sunheartl-
OF Senators from States not old enough
to dispense with their short clothes. =
And that the dignifled members or the
Supreme Court declare 1t to be sabsurl
that we should play second fiddle to
the 'npstart' heads or Departments
merc clerks to the President, who
may be dismissed by him any day,
ous s', oia ... senators % Mho org elected Tor