The Monte Vista journal., 1898-01-22
Is SETTLED AT LAST.
a QUESTION OF PRECEDENCE.
Ths BsstasA Aiaistss wAe Wanted The
vlcs PrssiAsat 70 Take . oaek Seat 1s
Sat Upea hy HiA 0ovsra0snt.

rhs BsstasA lGiaistss wAe Wanted the
Vice PrsssAsat 70 Take Back Seat Is
Sas Upsa ~ Hi Oovsraosat
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 Mt 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 9Th Of March
last. Under the Cleveland admins
tration Mr.. Stevenson declined to as
sert his prerOgative, 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
n the synagogue. Secretary Olney.
however, disputed Sir Jullan'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 hrst
place. There was long discussion.
which terminated In q compromise. 1t
was agreed that when the two gentle
men met at the residence Of foreign
cr 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 nc
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 rather
unusual manner. The late Gardiner
Hubbard gave dinner party in honor
Of Vice President Hobart and invited
the British ambassador. The latter
requested diagram Of the table In
order that he might see how the guests
were to be seated, intimating that un
less be were 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
his inability to accept Mr.. Hubbard's
invitation.
Tint sort Of thing continued nil
through the spring, ana the Paunce-
fotes refused to call on the vice presi-
dent unless he called on them first, on
Dpn I,ut I,,1 hnts
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 80 Irritating
that President Mckinley wrote a per.
sonal letter to Colonel Hay. our am
bnssador in London. asking him to oh
tain from the proper authority at the
British court 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 1t was q very small mat
ter to quarrel over. but at the same
time was likely to he the cause Of con-
tlnual annoyance and eInbarra ssment.
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. II the oracles on etiquette in
Great Britain sustained Sir Julian in
his estimate Of his own Importance MIR.
Hobart was perfectly willing to give
way, but they did not. After due con-
sideration Of the subject Colonel Hay
was unoficially Informed that the vice
president OF the United States was cor
rect In his contention. and that Sir
Julian would receive nm intimation
that his government took that view OF
the case. His recent call at Mr.. Ho-
ba-t's residence indicates that he has
heard from home. and. like the loyal
subject that he is. has come down
gracefully. There hns been no refer
cnce to the controversy In the cores.
pondence OF the department Of state.
nor will II appear on the records. The
correspondence with Colonel Hay was
conducted by the President himself.
and was strictly personal and confiden-
tinl.-ChIcagO Record.