The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-03-03

\ Example, III Ansepir1n ssSews" ~ 10 !
Gives In the British Press

4 Sample ~ Amepir2n ssSews" - 10 10
Gives In the British Press
Manchester Examiner and Guardian.
In consequences OF the recent death OF her
sister, Mrs. Harrison viii not appear as the
official reception 1t the White house on
New Years day. and the ali-ahsorhing
topic Of the moment II the important
question as 10 ~hich of the Washington
ladies Is to represent her on that occasion.
Mrs. Harrison had naturally thought that
her only daughter, Mrs. Mckee, the wife
OF the indianapolis bootmaker, would be
the most fitting person 10 stand next 70 the
president when be receives his Diplomatic
corps. the chief officers Of the army ard
navy. the members Of the supreme court OF
justice. and the members OF the national
Legislature on the ist Of January. But the
wives Of the cabinet ministers have pro-
tested most strongly against such .'usur-
patton Of their privileges and denied the
right Of the presidents daughter TO any
official position '.in the line"
so strong was their feeling on the sub
ject that on Monday last Mrs. Blaine, the
wife Of the secretary Of state. assembled
around her table at luncheon the ladies
Of the cabinet" for the purpose OF concert
from putting the bootmaker's consorf into
should he occupied by the wife OF the pres
ident. Mrs. Biaine's attitude in the matt .
has aroused good deal of comment. For
she Is not ON speaking terms with Mrs.
Harrison, and has never once crossed the
Threshold of the White house since the
present Republican administration came
into Office year ago. So bitter, indeed.
Is the quarrel between the two ladies-a
quarrel that dates back to 1ssi--that Mrs.
Blaine actually refuses to attend any phi
vate or Official entertainments at which
Mrs. Harrison Is 70 be present. The pres
ent controversy on the subject OF the New
Years day reception. Of course. does not
tend to mend matters. especially as the
presidents wife. who Is . strong-minded
woman. is reported to be determined to
maintain at all costs her daughters
rights" 70 official rank and precedence on
that occasion.
Harrassed and worried beyond measure
by the rival pretensions OF these "ladies of
the highest court circle" Is they are de-
scribed by . leading Washington news
paper, the president has, with more discre-
ton than valor, left the White house and
retreatsd into Virginia, on the somewhat
transparent pretcxt of duck-hunting ex-
petition. The chief magistrate of this
great republic is not sportsman. and has
never been known to 60 out shooting be-
fore. No one was, therefore, surprised to
learn yesterday from dispatch from Clare
mont, Va, that the entire presidential
party. which Included two senator's and .
supreme court judge, had only bagged
three ducks. but that General Harrison had
shot by mistake--and kiilcd--s fat hog be-
longing To . negro named Gilbert Wootten.
II Is needless 70 add that today the oppo-
sition papers are questioning the prudence
of confiding the destinies OF 60,000, 600 OF
Americans to president whose powers Of
perception are such that he is unable to
distinguish duck from . fat hog. He
viii not return to Washington until late on
the evening OF December 81, by which time
he hopes that a compromise will have been
effected between the ladies Of the White
house" and 1.-THE ladies of the cabinet"
Meanwhile this question Of female pre-
cedence, so ridiculous in country were all
claim to be equal. Is being discussed with
the utmost gravity by the principal news
papers. not only here in New York. but
also in all the other great cities. The SUBJ
Jet is regarded az being of sufficient
Importance and interest to warrant whole
columns Of print, both editorial and tele-
graphic. being devoted thereto: and. in
deed, the majority Of people appear to con-
slider the point ut issue of far greater
weight than such trivial matters as tariff re-
form. the projected ballot bill, or the dis
posal of the surplus revenue