The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-04
STYLES OF ADDRESS.
How the President and Other Public
Men Should Be Addressed.

A Washington letter to the New York
Evening Post says: II have been con.
siderably amused in glancing over the
addresses on letters to public men, to
notice the different styles which are used
by people living at distence. For in.
stance, some communications are ad-
dressed to the "Hon. Chester A. Arthur,
President of the United States" The
simplest and best form is to write, "To
the President, Executive Mansi0n,
Washington, d. c." In addressing the
President personally you should always
say, "Mr. President. +" Your Honor" or
"Your Excellency" is never used, and it
is considered in bad taste, yet it is no
uncommon thing to hear public men
from the different parts of the country
open conversation with the President in
these terms. The official title of the
Governor of Massachusetts is "His Ex-
ceIlency,' and that of Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor, "His Honor" but the President
has no official title, and is called simply,
''Mr. President" In addressing commu-
nications to the cabinet officers you
should, however, write ''The Hon. Chas.
T. Folger, Secretary of the Treasury
the Hon. VIM. E. Chandler, Secretary of
the Navy" etc.; but in personal inter-
course you would always say '1Mr. Sec
retary," "Mr. Acknowledgement" or
"Mr. Postmaster General" Should you
write to Senator, you should direct to
"The Hon. Geo F. Hoar, NJ. O., Senate
Chamber, Washington, d. Co. and if a
formal communication, commence the
epistle, "Mr. Senator" which title
you should always use in private con-
versation with him OF course if you
are an intimate friend you could take
greater liberties, and perhaps call him
"Dear George" or something of that
sort; but / am talking now upon formal
communications. & member of the
House is not so particular, however.
You should address him after this style:
f9The Hon. John ID. Long, NJ. G., House
of Representatives, Washington, D. G"
In speaking to member you would or
dinarily address him by his last name,
but if he had ever been speaker, gov
ernor, or senator, invariably give him
that title, for it is not only customary,
but it gives him the impression that you
have made a particular study of his
record. Many a man has wrecked his
chances by calling an ex senator simply
"Mr. Black"
You must have some knowledge of
the war in order tosteer skilfully around
among these statesmen. If a member
has been general, call him that, and
you can safely go down as far as major,
but would advise you to draw the line
in the last-named title, for man who
has served during the war, and risen no
higher than q captain, does not ike to
have ii thrown up in his face after he
has been elected to Congress. / do not
know h5W the custom was originated
to limit the title to the grade of major,
but do know it to be fact neverthe-
less. In addressing the speaker Of the
House. you should always say Mr..
Speaker and never Mr. Carlisle, and
the justices of the United States supreme
court, the court Of claims and other
judicial bodies of final resort, as Mr..
Chief Justice, and -Mr. Justice This
Is Republican form Of government,
where every man is supposed to be IS
good As every other man, and little
better IL be can make himself 30, and
these titles which / have mentioned are
ss immovable as the long line in the
court Of Victoria B.