New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-30
PRECEDENCE AT TIE WHITE HOUSE.
SURPRISE OVER THE PRESIDENTS NEW
YEARS PROGRAMME.

IRON TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT TIE TRIBUNE.I
| wAsnINGToN, Dec 29.--It is difficult at all tunes
to Ioat question of precedence on official occasions
with becoming gravity. The temptation OF looking at
the subject in spirit of le,ity however reprehc1sibe
| is so great especially in the case to which am
! about to allude-that l confess at the outset my
inability TO withstand it, At distance of go miles
or more question of official precedence may strike
YOU as a trling matter Here it ia everything II |,
discussed, its merits weighed and its solution awaited
with degree of anxiety and which seem
incredible TO those who have been in Washington
while such grave matter pending. The question
tins year derives additional Importance from tho fact
that it involves the official status of the highest judges
in The country II forms to-day the chief topic of dis
cusson in certain circles md for the moment the
Speakers probable action with reference to the COM
mitiees yields in importance to the former as subject
of conversation. Here is the official announcement
issued on Saturday last which has caused all the
uproar
New Years reception at the White House. Official
programme.
The President will receive Mt o. m. tho members
of the Cabinet and the Diplomatic Corps; at ll10,
the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices Of the
Supreme Court IN" United States and tha Judges
of the United STATES Court OF Claims; at
1879 Senators and Representatives in Congress-
the Judges of the Supreme Court of the District Of
COLUMBIA the Commissioners of the District Of
Columbia and the judicial officers of the District, eX
members of the Cabinet aud eXMnistcrs OF the United
States
The trouble Is just here how did the Judges of the
Court of Claims come to rank the Judges of the
Supreme Court of the District and even United states
Scnaor.l There dark hints at intrigue and social
influence but how much OF truth ia IN them | om M
able say. Heretofore senators always entitled
shake the Presidents hand before the judges Of the
Court Of Claims. In the early days of the Government
they di,ptod the right of the Supreme Court to
take precedence before them official occasions.
Senators conendcd that their consent necessary
TO create Uni ed States Supreme Court Judge. The
members OF the curt argued that they held thor
Office for life aud not FOL term merely, n the SEN
Aors did The senate reinforced it, position by saying
that ITS members rcl resented sovereign States. The
supreme Cont returned the charge by asserting that
was the equal of the senate and indeed OF Congress
and the Executive II was the only court in the land
the existence OF winch not dependent the will
of Congress the Government. IL could no. he abo
isLcd, except by amending the Constitution. In tue
end the Supr, me Court off victorious and -inc"
then it. Judges take precedence of Senators all
occasions Of ccrcnlmuy or state.
Bot where did the Judges of the Court Of Claims go
their right bo considered the equals of the supreme
Court Judgc,' Their court at best j., nothing bat
auditing board. It. decisions have standing among
the prot. --on they quoted tina" were the
will 10y Cong res,. to-day. To morrow or al any umt
In importance it oven yield, to the Supreme Court Of
the District of Columbia That court RANKS any United
States Circuit Court The argued before it are
in n large measure of National Importance. It's geo
graphical location makes it the only court which
issue Il mandate upon member OF the Cabinet. Before
II argued AL The important Government caste IT.
decision. are hgh, esteemed those of the United
Stalc, supreme CONT itself aud now it, member
% take tho dust fEurati,cly spea4ng. OF their broth
rem of the Court Of Claims. The whole bench -
aroused. The legal fraternity unable To understand
H. Somebody il j. thought. must have deceived the
President ignorance alone c,uid not have made hun
| commit thi, blnd"r. Chief Justice Garter. Of the
District supreme court J. presented ~ ArsnIy feel
Ing the light put upon him; tbie j -rc Richardson
o. -poudcinplv rntcd hi, rsr IN The Official
ladder. NcN-lclrs Day Is IuIpu1.y awaited. There
uir crave rumots of impending conflict. II ,u out
break 81 ho,ti thrud occur ii .ht under tie of
the President within hi-l al tho Diploma c orp- nad
the a--cmblcd multitude, The Disgrace would be
terrible
The worst is tha, everybody. with the exception Of
the judges of ID, Cont Of Claims. now ha' gricc-
aucr. he United States SUPREME Court !, outrl.cd
by the thought that the Court oi Claims cOnd for
moment lee considered It's equal. he Judge, o the
supreme Court of The District of Columbia Will 10
think that their colleagues oi the claims court should
be considered Of greater importance than Themselves
They are disappointed any way because they cant
Senators and the latter look it'll alarm upon TINS
cncroachurnt upon their dignity and importance
Altogether the President t. have mad" pretty
OF it. WHAT the end will Ice. nobody can iOrcscc
la hand-tphanG conflict. competent ludac- say the
Court of Claims would worst the supreme Court Of the
District bu the latter IA, the reputation nf possessing
gca' stiategical talent among its members. The
flank movement 10y which u secured two years ago
tn right of and the first 10 shake President
ATthur- hand, is not io gotten. slmIir NOV ement
executed with equal skill. might T. axe 1t victorious
once more It's rival will have to take care
mr. mr.