The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-12-30
CABINET LADIES An. ..
Washington Women in Official Life
Claim to be Afronted by
Mrs. Harrison.
Mrs. Mckee. the Presidents
Daughter, takes Precedence
Over Cabinet Ladies.
Another Cause OF Wrath the Setting Hack
OF senators and Representatives
Who is Responsible:

Mrs. Blaine entertained yesterday At
luncheon the Indies of the cabinet, Says Il
Washington dispatch of the 93d. Daring
the lunch the New Years day programme
for the cabinet ministers homes was dis
oussed At this lunca nothing was said
about the notion Of Mrs. Harrison in assign-
ing TO her daughter, Mrs. Mckee. the iirst
place n the receiving lire on New Years
day, but the new departure in the etiquette
OF official society has raised hornets nest
among the wives Of nll the cabinet NOM
bers. II had not been expected that the
presidents wife would appear az the New
Years reception, owing 10 the death % her
sister, bus the impression prevailed in oili-
ciel circles that tho vice presidents wife
would take Mrs. Harrison's place in the line
and take precedence. Of oourss, over the
ladies OF tho cabinet. all OF whom are asked
10 assist the president. The oficinl pro-
glahnle how ever. gives the first place to
Mia. Meheo, the Presidents daughter.
Nhom tho women declare has no official
RANK whatever. The wife takes the rank of
her husband always MIR. Mckee is not in
0inclhl lie. and therefore, they say. Mrs.
unmarried daughter of the president she
could with much moro propriety represent
tae presidents wife ON official occasions
lhat Mrs. Mckee Is n charming woman nll
recognize, but from an official point OF view
she Ia wholly out of place as the Official
representative of her mother during the
liiotimo ot Mr.. Harrison.
The question came up at the outset Of
President Cleyeland's administration. when
Nj ls4 kgf haptras a. r,1
place IN toe line AT one oi the official recep-
tlons at the white house. Though Mrs.
i5ayard was something of an invalid at the
tiILe, II was after much discussion detcrm
i4ed that during Mrs. Bnyard's life her
place at the white house could not b. filled
by her daughter. After the death Of Mrs.
bayard Miss Anna Bayard, then the recog-
nlzed head OF her father house. az once and
by right took ptecedsnce over all others IN
the cnblnet, As the presidential succession
Is dirert from the vice president into the
cdplhet, the secretary of state beng but
''one step removed from the throne" IL
can he imagined how weighty thing be-
Comes the order Of precedence.
Ihht Mrs Mckee should precede the wife
OF the wee president aud the wives of cnbi-
net officers IL no trining cause for alarm.
What will be the endg II Mrs. Mckee takes
precedence on New Years day. why not at
the state dinners also, and ON other oiticinl
ooc,Isinnst IL the vice presidents wife TO
make her own little court? Are the wives
pf the cabinet officers 90 be ranked by the
wife Of private citizen. What. indeed,
is 10 be the outcome of the present situa-
tionl In the meantime the talk is going on,
heads are very erect, and altogether there is
an undercurrcnt OF deep feeling that prom
iscs 10 reach tidal-waye overflow 10y New
| Years DIV.
The published programme for the New
Years day reception also makes another de
parture from the established order Of
things, which is causing nearly as much
comment rs the designation of Mrs. Mckee
to outrank the cabinet ladies. The pro-
gramme for the first time gives precedence
TO the Justices Of the supreme court of the
district of Columbia over the senators and
| representatives, Ill congress, and ndmits
them with their legal brethren, the justices
/ OF the United States supreme court, during
| the first half hour of the reception, which is
the most brilliant portion of the day.
The congressnlen and their wives do not
4 accept the new departure gracefully, and
the Indies especinlly are doing n large
amount OF prumbling. They are earnestly
enoeayoring to ascertain the name of the
pc son responsible for this innovation but
have not yet succeeded. The state depart.
ment shoulders no responsibility or part in
| the official programme except the dispOsi-
| tion of the diplomatic corps. There Is nc
evidence connecting Secretary IIalford with
the amended programme of the new admin
lstratlon. 10 never c1mmitH any rash acts
and II he had consulted precedence he could
have found no warrant for IL. The gues.
ton the conpreAslnen are asking is; Who Is
| the guilty pcrsuul