The Meeker herald., 1898-01-22
Is SETTLED AT LAST.
a QUESTION OF rascsorncs.
tAs asssash Minister who Ws.ssA the
VIZ President to Taks . Dssk ssat Il
~ UPon by His Govsfnnsat.

The. controversy between the vice
president Of the United States and the
British ambassador over the question
OF precedence has been decided against
the latter by his own government, and
BIZ Julian and Lady Pauncefote, in
obedience to Instructions from Lon
don, called at the residence Of Mr.. and
Mrs. Hobart In Lafayette square last
week and were cordially received The
next afternoon Mr.. and Mrs. Hobart
rode to the British embassy to return
the call, but unfortunately the Paunce-
fotes were not at home and they were
compelled to leave their cards.
The war began on the 5th CT March
last. Under the Cleveland admins
tratfon Mr.. Stevenson declined to as
sert his prerogatlve, and whenever the
two men met at social or an official
function the vice president cordially
gave the right of way to the British
ambassador and took the second seat
In the synagogue. Secretary Olney.
however, disputed Sir Julian's claims.
He contended that all diplomatic func-
dons In which the President of the
United Statea was not present he, ns
0ScTetnry OF state. represented the
President and must have the first
place. There was long discussion,
which terminated In a compromise 1t
was agreed that when the two gentle
men met at the residence OF foreign
Or Mr.. Olney should precede: when
they met at the residence of an Ameri-
can, Sir Julian should have the honors
and all social affairs were arranged ac-
cordingly. When the French ambos-
sador gave dinner party Mr.. Olney
sat at the right of the hostess. When
nv,t.. rfo ot,,n l,.&I -
eir Julian had that place
Shortly after the Inauguration of
President Mckinley Sir Julian assert
ID his claims to precedence in a rather
unusual manner. The late Gardiner
Hubbard gave a dinner party N honor
ef Vice President Hobart and invited
the British ambassador. The latter
requested a diagram of the table In
order that he might see how the guests
were to be seated. intimating that un-
less he were given the place of honor
- would feel impelled to send his re-
Brefs. Mr.. Hubbard replied that he
had made no diagram of his table. but
that the vice president, being the guest
Df the evening, should be seated at his
hight hand. A brief note from Sir
Julian the same afternoon regretted
his inability to accept Mr. Hubbard's
Invitation.
The controversy became so Irritating
that President Mckinley wrote a per.
ponal letter to Colonel Hay. our am
bassadOr in London, asking him to OBJ
balm from the proper authority at the
British court a definition of the rank
and status Of Sir Julian Pauncefote
from the point of view of his own gov
ornment. The President took the
Rro0ud that IL WAS very ANAL mat
eor 10 quarrel over, but at the same
e1me was likely to be the cause Of con-
dnu1l annoyance and embarrassment,
a1d that It would be generous ON our
.noxt ~ accept the Judgment and re-
apscf the WkheS 81 tie Bfitish govern
0ent. Mr.. Hobart concurred In this
v1ew. II the oracles on etiquette In
Great Britain sustained Sir Julian in
Al1 estimate Of his own importance Mr.
Hobart was perfectly willing to give
way, but they did not. After due con-
adefation Of the subject Colonel Hay
was un0fhcially informed that the vice
president Of the United States was cor
rect in his contention, and that Sir
Julian would receive an intimation
that his government took that view of
the case. His recent call at Mr.. Ho-
bayt's residence Indicates that he has
heard from home, and, like the loyal
subject that he is, has come down
gracefully. There has been no refer
ence to the controversy In the cores
pondence Of the department Of state,
nor viii 1t appear on the records. The
correspondence with Colonel Hay was
conducted by the President himself,
and was strictly personal and contiden-
dal.-Chicago Record.