Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-11

WHAT TH1 LADIES RfHsBsfID N THI epIJnH
THINK ABOUT n.
The wives OF the cabinet omcers held what might
be called business meeting lately, at the resi-
dence OF the Secretary Of the Treasury. The four
ladies present were Ms. Endicott, MIS- Manning.
MIA whitney and Mrs. Villas. and the principal
matter under discussion Was whether the passage
OF the Hoar BILL turning the presidential success
sion into the cabinet instead Of into the senate as
heretofore, should be regarded as changing the
relative ranking of the two Official bodies The
question Is one OF special moment TO ceremohious
people, and has always been a source OF yexation
10 them. N seems 10 be also OF interest 60 women
throughout the land, for I'm the impartial eyes OF
ocers or NOV Mss esas sSsn her
father became Chief Justice OF the United states,
reversed the ranking OF the Senate and Judiciary
ladies named came, however, TO no conclu-
sionS at their meeting. They disayow any per-
and courtesy on ceremonial occasions they would
DE grained TO have the order OF precedence est alb
lished upon a recognized and firm basis. The form
President, the vice President deriving his dignity
from being presiding officer OF the SEN
ate ana disputing rank with the Chief
JuStice), the Speaker or the House heretofore
possible successor to the presidency the cabinet
and the army and the navy. A prominent leader
her opinion that the cabinet as the official house.
hold Of the President should have the mooted
second place, yielding gracious precedence the
Chief Justice, and be followed by the members OF
the diplomatic corps. II is from the foreign en-
voys at the capital that the most criticism OF
elastic etiquette comes IL is understood that one
OF the ladies consulted the secretary OF State on
the subject, and went to the conference referred
to armed with the arguments that man with the
traditions at his back Of family that for three
naturally put forward. The ladies were unani-
nous upon the point before separating. As 10 the
practice involved, Ii would seem the proper thing
Tor the seventy six Senatorial families 10 call upon
the cabinet ladies' because IL Is the more expedi-
ent. Last year the ladies OF the cabinet did call
upon the wives OF Senators. The observance OF
the order OF precedence differs In different houses
some giving first place to the cabinet, some TO the
but sne o. cs the
OF the question; but for the present it looks II
the anticipatory honors OF the new succession
would overtOp the state sovereignty sentiment,
and that the cabinet ladies might rank all other
ladies in the social circle
The ladies of the senate, who have been asked TO
give an opinion on the subject, have been most
frank and free In their expressions Mrs. Teller
comedies that the first call should be made by the
Senate. Mr.: Teller was member OF the Arthur
cabinet and Mrs. Teller knows whereof she speaks.
The cabinet ladies receive a hundred fold more
calls In a week than do the Senate ladies' and
when they returned all their calls IL was no small
affair to make some fifty-two senatorial calls be-
fore taking up their own list. Mrs. Teller says IL
is a small matter for the Senate 10 make the few
cabinet calls.
Mrs Sherman had also viewed the situation
from the cabinet standpoint, when Mr. Sherman
was in Mr.. Hayes cabinet. She would like TO see
II settled one way or the other, and would be WILL
ing to accept a decision given by the Secretary OF
state upon the relative precedence OF the Senate
and the cabinet.
Mrs. Morrill, could not see that the Hoar bin
changed the ranking OF the Senate in the slightest
particular. The Senate still holds the confirming
power, and there seemed no warrant for their
standing aside.
Mrs. Cameron said promptly that IL was "quite
right" that the cabinet should take precedence OF
the senate. Practically the first place was con-
the matter should be SO established.
Mrs. voorhees, is In decided opposition to the
seemed foolish and absurd to talk about IL seri-
ouSy, but II there waS TO be any change the Presi.
dent should make it by special proclamation In
favor of his official family.
Mrs. COckreli said: 'It had occurred to me that
the Hoar bill with its increasing dignity and posi-
bilities to the cabinet officer might involve q
change In the question OF precedence. / am q
stickler all that pertains to the dignity OF the
Senate, and would be the last person to make an
Senator or member of the cabinet for life pre-
sumo we might lay aside mere personal considera,
tons and decide this most mOmentuous question
| II the Senate, however, should make this cOnces
sion why should not the Supreme Court for the
| same reason as WEI They are not heirs to the
throne"
Mrs. Mcpherson and Mrs. Rustis have affirmed
| their approval Of the new Law by paying nrsl
visits to the cabinet.
Mrs. Endicoit and Mrs. Villas, on the other hand
have made some senatorial calls
By the way, curious provision OF the bill II
question is the changes made by 1t in the cabi
net ranking The bill gives the status as follows
Secretary OF State, Secretary OF the Treasury Sec
rotary Of War, the Attorney General, the Postmas
ter General the Secretary OF the Navy and the
Secretary Of the Interior. Here is new arrange
ment OF officers, and no reason given for the trans
positions. There has always been a state OF un-
rest manifested concerning this matter OF rank.
Mrs. Blaine never paid visits but calmly sent cards
on all occasions and Mrs. John p. Stockton, OF
New Jersey, when her husband was a Senator
secuted at the cabinet people, and would not be
civil to them. 1t Is said that one time she went 20
a reception given by a cabinet lady, and without
speaking to the hostess, she rushed up TO lady OF
her acquaintance, who was In the receiving line,
and inquired In loud voice il the house was q
private one or a boarding house?