The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-06-14
STYLES OF ADDRESS.
How the President and Other Public
Men Should BE Addressed.


Washington Cor. New York Worldl
/ have been considerably amused in
glancing over the addresses on letters
to public men to notice the different
styles which are used by people living
at distance. For instance, some COM
munications are addressed to Hon.
Chester A. Arthur, President of tile
United States" The simplest and best
form is to write, TO the President,
Executive Mansion, Washington, d. c."
In addressing the president personally,
you should always say Mr.. Presi-
dent. "Your Honor" or Your Ex-
cellency" is never used, and is con-
sidered In bad taste, yet it is no uncom-
mon thing to hear public men from diff
ferent parts of the country open con-
versation with the president in these
terms. The official title of the governor
of Massachusetts is His Excellency,"
and of the lieutenant governor His
Honor" but the president has no Official
title, and is called simply "Mr. Presi-
dent"
In addressing communications to the
| cabinet officers you should, however,
write "The Hon. Charles J. Folger,
Secretary of the Treasury; The Hon.
William b. Chandler, Secretary of the
Navy" etc.; but in personal intercourse
you should Away say "Mr. Secretary"
"Mr. Attorney General" +" or "Mr. Post
master General" Should you desire
| to write to senator you would direct
to "The Hon. George f. Hoar, M. c.,
Senate Chamber, Washington, D. c., :"
| and if q formal communication COM
mence the epistle "Mr. Senator" which
title you should also use in private con-
versation with him. OF course, if you
were an intimate friend, you could take
greater liberties, and perhaps call him
Dear George" or something Of that
sort; but I am talking now only upon
formal communications A member of
the house is not so particular, however.
You would address him after this style !:
"The Hon. John D. Long, NJ. c., House
of Representatives, Washington, D.
c." In speaking to member you
would ordinarily address him by his
last name, but if he had ever been a
speaker, senator or governor invariably
give him that title, for it is not only
customary, but it gives him the impress
sion that you have made pal ticular
study of his record
Many a man has wrecked his chances
by calling an ex-senator simply Mr..
Elank." You must have some knowl-
edge of the war in der to steer skill
fully around among these statesmen. If
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 captain
does not care to have it thrown in his
face after he has been elected to con-
gress. I do not know how the custom
was originated to limit the title to the
grade of major, but do know it to be
fact, nevertheless. In addressing the
speaker of the house you should always
say, "Mr. Speaker" and ne-er Mr..
Carlisle, and 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 sup
posed to be as good as every other man.
and little better if he can make him
self so, but these titles which I have
mentioned are as immovable as the long
line in the court of Victoria r."