La Junta tribune., 1898-01-22
Is SETTLED AT LAST.
a QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE.
Vice Presidrat to Take Back Seat Il
Sat Upon by IIis Govrrnment.

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
Sir 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 MIR. and Mrs. Hobart
rode to the British embassy to return
the call. but unfortunately the Paunce-
fOtcS were not Mt home and they were
compelled TO leave their cards
The war began on the 9Th Of March
last. Under the Cleveland admins.
tratfOn Mr.. Stevenson declined to as
sert his prerogative. and whenever the
two men met 1t 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-
tiOns in which the President OF the
United States was not present he. as
secretary Of state. represented the
President and must have the first
place. There was II long discussion.
which terminated in compromise. 1t
was agreed that when the two gentle
men met at the residence OF a foreign
er 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-
cortlingly. When the French nmbas-
sador gave dinner party Mr.. Olney
sat at the right of the hostess. When
Mr.fLeiter entertained both gentlemen,
Sir Julian had that place.
Shortly after the Inauguration of
President Mckinley Sir Julian assert
ed his claims to precedence in a rather
unusual manner. The late Gardiner
Hubbard gave a dinner party in honor
Of Vice President Hobart and invited
the British ambassador. The latter
requested n diagram Of the table in
order that he might see how the guests
were to be seated, intimating that un-
less he We're given the place of honor
he would feel impelIed to send his re-
grets. Mr.. Hubbard replied that he
had made no diagram of his table, but
that the vice president. being the guest
Of the evening. should be seated ut his
right hand. A brief note from Sir
Julinn the same afternoon regretted
his inability to accept Mr.. Hubbard's
Invitation.
The controversy became so Irritating
that President Mckinley wrote per.
sonal letter to Colonel Hay. our am
bass1dor In London. asking him to OBJ
tnin from the proper authority at the
British court n definition of the rank
and status Of Sir Julian Pauncefotc
from the point Of view OF his own gov
ernment The President took the
ground that 1t was a very small mat
ter to quarrel over. but at the same
time was likely to be the cause of con-
tinual annoyance and embarrassment.
and that 1t would be generous on our
part to accept the judgment and re-
spect the wishes Of the British govern
ment. Mr.. Hobart concurred In this
view. II the oracles on etiquette In
Great Britain sustained Sir julian In
his estimate Of his own Importance Mr..
Hobart was perfectly willing to give
way, but they did not. After due con-
sideration Of the subject Colonel Hay
was oficiaily informed that the vice
president Of the United States was cor
pect In his contention, and that Sir
Julian would receive an intimntion
that his government took that view OF
THE case. His recent call Mt Mr.. Ho-
Darts residence indicates that he has
Eheard from home. and, like the loyal
subject that he is. has come down
Gracefully. There has been no refer
bnce to the controversy In the cores
ondence Of the department Of state.
or will It appear on the records. The
correspondence with Colonel Hay was
onducted by the President himself,
IND was strictly personal and confiden-
1al.-Chfcago Record.
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