The silver lance., 1898-01-21
rs SETTLED AT LAST.
. QUESTION OF PREcEDsNcE.
Vice President to Take . Back Seat ID
sat Upon by His Government.

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 Mr.. and Mrs. Hobart
rode to the British embassy to return
tbe call, but unfortunately the Paunce-
totes were not at home and they were
compelled to leave their cards.
The war began on the 9TH Of March
last. Under the Cleveland admins
ration Mr.. Stevenson declined to as
aert his prerogative, and whenever the
two men met at a 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-
lions 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 long discussion.
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-
cordingly. When the French ambas-
sador gave a dinner party Mr.. Olney
sat at the right of the hostess. When
Mr.. Letter entertained both gentlemen,
Sir Julian had that place.
Shortly after the inauguration of
President Mckinley Sir Julian assert
I'd his claims to precedence in a rather
unusual manner. The late Gardiner
Hubbard gave dinner party in honor
Of 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
we're to be seated. intimating that un-
less he were given the place of honor
be would feel impelled to send his re-
grsts. Mr.. Hubbard replied that he
had made no diagram of his table, but
that the vice president. being the guest
pf the evening, should be seated at his
right hand. A brief note from Sir
Julian the same afternoon regretted
bis inability to accept Mr.. Hubbard's
Invitation
The controversy became so Irritating
that President Mckinley wrote a per.
sonal letter to Colonel Hay, our am
bassadOr in London, asking him to OBJ
tain 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
eminent. The President took the
ground that 1t was very small mat
knr 20 nm hIIt OF hn
time was likely to be the cause Of con-
dnual annoyance and embarrassment.
and that it 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. If 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-
Aderation of the subject Colonel Hay
was unofficially 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-
bart'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
snce to the controversy In the cores
pondence of the department Of state,
nor will it appear on the records. The
correspondence with Colonel Hay was
conducted by the President himself,
and was strictly personal and confiden-
tial.-Chicago Record.
No-To-Bac for Fifty Cents.