The age-herald., 1898-01-16

the support of the commission, the idea of starving civil service to death, as MT. Cummings picturesquely put 1t, was never even made and the bill passed the house without even the formality of roll call. The terrible MT. Pearson of North Caro- lima, the eloquent Brumm, of Pennsylvania, who were going to tear down the law from the bottom up sat meekly in their seats when the vote was taken and not a word was even said about a separate vote on this paragraph. Quite an inauspicious end- ing to a loud and windy fight.
 It is very doubtful if the committete on rules will allow any more discussion on the civil service question. There was no promise made by the members of that committee that additional time would be given before the first of April, either inn piled or affirmed There was and still is determination of the members opposed to the merit system, as well as some of the friends of the system, to give the antis a chance to show their strength and make some more speeches for use in the fall cam paigns. As the speaker and of course the committete on rules for the latter Is prac- tically the committee on rules, is deter
 
 as possible, and as he is known to be op- posed to any change in the law, it is not seen how this question can again be brought to the front. The members are very free with threats as to what thsH will do in case they are denied an oppor- tunity for discussion and vote. but they will not do anything dangerous. All this talk about a majority in the house being ab ta flo ubat fc nio but is all buncomb. as majority, while they may be in favor of a certain measure, will not consent to any radical departure from established customs.
 The weighty question of precedence be- tween the vice-president of the United States and the ambassador of her Brltannic majesty, Queen Victoria, Sir Julian Paunce- fote has at last been settled in favor of the vice-president. That official will conse- quently precede Sir Julian when they shall meet in social or official way at dinner parties or other weighty state affairs of that sort. So has question that once threatened to assume international import- ance, been amicably settled, without the shedding of drop of blood, or the firing of a gun.
 Ever since Sir Julian has held the post of ambassador extraordinary and minister plenlpotentiary from her majesty to the United States he has been greatly consumed with his own importance. As the personal representative of the queen of England and empress of India, and as dean of the diplo- matc corps, he has always claimed pre- cedence at all affairs to which he was in- vited, kindly making an exception to the president of the United States. When MT. Stevenson was vice-president he took things as he found them, and in accord- ance with the custom then prevalent, left his card at the British embassy. When MT. Hobart assumed office he had, on account of his great wealth and his high standing at home, seen more or less of society, and not being unduly impressed with the im- portance of Sir Julian, refused to begin calling, holding as vice-president of the United States he was entitled to the pre- cedent. This was the cause of considerable embarrassment to both Sir Julian and 10 Mr Hobart. as neither would accept an fn- vitation unless he was given the place of honor at the right of the hostess. As neither would give in, and as MT. Hobart was backed by the president and that por- tion of society as Is not thoroughly blinded with Anglo-manai, the matter was un-ofi- cialy referred to the British foreign office with the result that they decided In favor of the vice-president. Thus ended a discus- sion that was ridiculous in the extreme. What would Queen Victoria have said. if our own dear Mir. Bayard had demanded tho precedence at Bi fish state affairs 10 Inc exclusion of the Prince of Wales who occupies the same place as prospective and contingent ruler of Great Britain as does the vice-presdent as contingent and proc pectiye ruler of the United States.
 HAROLD EVERETT CLAY