Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-01-29
A Matter Of Titles
Brings on an Interesting Talk
in the Senate.
RANK IN DIPLOMATIC ETIQUETTE.

Our Minister" Stand Back for European
Ambassadors A Case of Tax Evasion
In the Supreme Court - Decisions of
Note - Senator yance's Misfortune -
Banker Fish to Go Free Soon-Congres-
sional Summary-FlOrida's Vote Lost.
WASHINGTON CITY, Jan. 29-There was a
spirited debate in the senate yesterday over
the word "ambassador" Gibson moved to
insert that title in the consular and diplomatic
bill in place of the title "envoy extraordinary
and minister penipotentiary," on the ground
that ambassadors at the courts of France,
Germany, Great Britain and Russia took pre-
whoever represented the American people
was entitled to consideration solely because of
his representative character His title was
inmaterial. He criticised the conduct of the
representatives of the United States abroad
for the last eight years, and said they had not
supported the dignity and simplicity of
American citizens. They had been oilers and
loungers and wall-howers at receptions
Gibson suggested that the word "ambas.
sador' was not foreign word, but was en-
poyed i'll the constitution itself He defended
WI heIi'S anu olHeT representatives OF tnlS
government abroad.
Hale said that personally he was in favor
of the amendment. The title of ambassador
was more than titular There was rs much
rank III the diplomatic service as in the
army or navy. Hawley and Sherman
also advocated tho amendment Oh the ground
that it would advance the interests and the
dignity of the United States abroad
Plumb made an argument i'll favor of the
abolition or the whole foreign service He
called attention to the fact that through the
dismissal of Lord Sackville "for writing a
letter which was model of conciSeness and
brevity," England had been left for some
time without representative here and no
complications had arisen in consequence
thereof
Evarts said it was practical and i'm
portant question and has nothing to do with
the dignity or pride OF any individual 1t
has nothing to do with court etiquette or
court dress, or the fitness of the minister Sc
lected to represent the country abroad 1t
might not be a wise measure, but it was a
measure wholly of public interest and of pub
lie dignity and of practical service to the
country.
Stewart did not believe, he said, in passing
a IA" 1lifil "puiu give any counter
ance or encouragement to the breeding of
dudes" who, when abroad, lost command of
the English language, grunted, became unin-
telllgible and were a disgrace to the country
Hale repeated statement made to him by
an American minister abroad as to the diff
Guilty encountered In obtaining audiences
with foreign ministers Oh account of the pre-
cedence given to ambassadors 1t was not,
he said, ceremonial, it WAS not gew-gaw, not
frills, not dinners, not fancy, but it was be
in its diplomatic system as first-class
power.
Morgan said he found no trouble in put
ting the word Ambassador" OH the statute
book and voting whatever appropriation was
necessary to give to that rank becoming re
ward. There was no occasion for an Ameri-
can because he was Democrat putting on
licentious airs and cutting up" as much as
he pleased The United States was entitled
to be represented abroad i'll the most digni-
fled and thorough manner
Call also supported the amendment The
screaming of the American eagle in mid-air
in defiance OF all was not, he said, the Ian
guage of dignity or wisdom, nor any kind of
useful assertion of the power of the people
Blair opposed the amendment, seeing in il a
little anti-republican catering to the senti-
ment Of aristocratic domination, grandeur
and power" He spoke of ambassadors US "a
new order of diplomatic nobility"