The Springfield herald., 1898-01-21
Is SETTLED AT LAST.
A QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE.
Tho British Minister Who Wanted the
Vice President to Take a Back Seat Is
Sat Upon by His Government.


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 We're cordially received. The
next afternoon Mr.. and Mrs. Hobart
rode to the British embassy to return
the call. but unfortunately the Paunce-
fotcS were not at home and they We're
compelled to leave their cards.
The war began on the 9th of March
last. Under the Cleveland admins
tration Mr.. Stevenson declined to as
sert his prerogativc and whenever the
two men met mt Il 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
place. There was Il long discussion.
which terminated in a compromise. 1t
was agreed that when the two gentle
men met at the residence of n foreign
er Mr.. Olney should prcccde; when
they met at the residence of an Ameri-
can, Sir Julian should have the honors.
and all social affairs We're arranged ac-
cordingly. When the French ambas-
sador gave 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
ed his claims to precedence in n rather
unusual manner. The late Gardiner
Hubbard gave dinner party in honor
of Vice President Hobart and invited
the British ambassador. The latter
requested Il 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 impelled 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 at his
right hand. A brief note from Sir
Julian the same afternoon regretted
invitation.
That sort of thing continued all
through the spring. and the Paunce-
fotes refused to call on the vice presi-
dent unless he called on them first, on
the ground that Sir Julian, being the
representative of Queen Victoria in
this country. ranked next to the presi-
dent of the United States. Mr.. Hobart
cOntended that he, being the legitimate
successor of the President under the
constitution, ranked with the Prince of
Wales. heir apparent to the throne of
England, and his view of the case was
generally accepted, much to the cha
grin of the British ambassador.
The controversy became so Irritating
that President Mckinley wrote per.
sonal letter to Colonel Hay, our am
bnssador in London. asking him to OBJ
tain from the proper authority at the
British court n definition Of the rank
and status of Sir Julian Pauncefote
from the point of view of his own gov
ernment The President took the
ground that it was 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 it would be generous on our
part to accept the judgment and re-
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 unotiicially 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 Mt 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
ence to the controversy In the cores
pondencc of the department of state,
nor will 1t appear on the records. The
correspondence with Colonel Hay was
conducted by the President himself,
and was strictly personal and confiden-
tial.-Chicago Record.