The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-10-23
riSHINGTON ETIQUETTE
AN RULES WHICH OBTAIN IN
: -ocIErY AT THE CAPITAL

-oo-s frequently Mislead the
-. arrived Cficial e. Washing
code Governing the Intercourse
Diplomatic Corps - Social
p,.,,lations at the White House.
- are several books upon Washing
sr.on1 Washington etiquette, says the
4 work Times, which endeayor to lay
-, many rules, where. as matter OF
4 .faw beyond those which obtain IN
4o - -9 svsrvwhere, exist; and the strenu-
1l' .,dssvors of certain newiy-arrived
49, 10 be polite. according to rule, are
f. .o, the subject OF ridicule.
4 ..-,sin new bureau chief read in
- tbese books that a first visit
ba returned Immediately
~ DAVIS afterward member of one of
- x,,aign legations called upon him, and
- his visitor departed he not only
- him to the front door, but,
.1:-a, an his hat, he followed him into the
reet. ,,-,
ing to take zee leetle stroll, n'est-ce
s.vo sir said the bureau chief, II am
zinc home with you, sir, to return your
NJ IL WAS he to know that returning a
2 NV :n,r,odiatelv meant any time within a
NJ In our government there is no bow
and screping bureau, and such etiquette
a,storns of precedence as we may have
~ Hot t0 be learned from books. In
~ fact thew vary with the taste for
..n'oIitv or carelessness of forms Of indi-
Eyuals A. S;,,o.
nd the profe: sion is largely a profession of
-rrs and ceremonies. Has not NJ. Ed
.o,5 Ab0ut. the French author, assured us
49, dnIomscy is the art of tying ones era
an AID do we not know that good dip
nat wonld rather be charged with any
ssIsr crime than a crime against the usages
y GOOD society? What have been termed
~ international vanities" are not con-
riisrad triaes at all by those whose profess
sODit is to dignity them into matters OF
Importance.
Tbe rank and precedence of diplomatic
s,sDts we're settled by the congress of vi
eSna in 1915, and the order agreed upon
tIs1 by the European powers has been &C.
rank frst-or would rank first, if we ever
bai anv-envoys extraordinary and minis
tiers pIenipotentiary come next, ministers
resident follow, and charge d'affaires bring
he the rear. A government may deter
rnine for itself the order Of reception Of dip
lomatic agents of the same grade, and ours
has adopted the course of giving precedence
according to the date of the
FASCINATION OF THE CREDENTIALS.
The British minister coming to the state de-
tartment at the same time with the minis
of Costa RIGA would have to wait while
HE latter transacted his business, for the
ample reason that the Costa Rican minister
as been here longer than Sir Julian. TIE
act that Great Britain is the more impor-
ant nation of the two is not considered.
Internationally all nations rank equally.
he minister who has precedence over oil
ther members of the diplomatic corps is
Dr. Carter the representative of the Ha-
allan Islands. Having been here longer
han any other minister, he is doyen, or
lean, Of the diplomatic corps.
The stress laid upon the precedence is well
Illustrated in the manner in which treaty
signed and worded. For instance if Count
rco the German minister. signs treaty
Fith our government for any purpose, two
pies are made out. The one that goes to
Germany has the name of that country
ritten first whenever it is necessary to
BENTON the names of Germany and the
lted States, and the copy that stays here
les the name of our country written first
henever it occurs in connection with the
Fame of Germany. Similarly, Count Arco
gns his name first on his copy and Mr..
aine signs his name first on his copy. The
preventative of neither power can recog-
ize the right of the mace Of the other
POwer TO take precedence.
The etiquette Of all governments gives a
romiuent position to foreign diplomatic
Representatives. and, upon occasions OF cere-
zhony in this country, they take the fourth
place, the order being the President, the
~ ice President, the cabinet, and the dlplo-
patio corps, and in receiving the credentials
~ new minister from abroad the President
observes o ceremony and form similar TO
pat used by European sovereigns. Accom-
panied by the Secretary of State, the new
prelgn representative calls at the white
ouse at an appointed hour. He carries
. his hand the letter from the head of bis
Eovernment to the President. This letter
els the President that the bearer has been
elected hecauSe of his fitness to cement
Mlendly relations between the two govern
DentS, and bespeakS for him the Presidents
ppd usage. The President receives hin,
landing, listens to his pretty little set piece,
Rceives the letter, and hands it unopened
the Secretary Of State, and makes a.little
speech of equal beauty in reply After
this is over the President probably re-
pests the Lew minister to come upstairs
pd they chat to2 ether informally. There
no material difference between this cere-
ony and the ceremony observed by the
ntau OF Turkey when he receives one OF
minister's.
Having become resident near the govern
ent OF the United States, the diplomat:
EerouS duties begin. They are largely OF
social character. The usual office hours
legation are from 10 O'Clock in the
orning till o'clock in the afternoon,
ter o'clock he must pay his calls. These
Il OF two kinds and for two purposes. Or
one hand, be must be on friendly term:
'h tne officers of the government, and he
consequently, assiduous in his attentions
thelr wives and daughters, and he must
10 ther parties whether he wants to OF
or else they will be offended with him.
H. On the other hand, he is usually
CoNNoISSEUR IN FEMALE BEAUTY
81 cookery, and he must call where there
pretty women and good cooks. The
HueIte OF his visits requires him to go tc
!ne Vice President, and members of the
plnet FIRST, but the families of the latter
upon his family first, the theory being
ne must announce his arrival, and that
1aales must thereupon be welcomed as
"ly-arrtved strangers.
u Onls country, the separation Of the
Piomats social character, where he is en-.
e1 simply to the rank of distinguished
eisner, from his official character. where