The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-24
RANK IN WASHINGTON.
NEW PROBLEMS TO BE DEALT
WITH IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES
THIS SEASON.

Mrs. Admiral Dewey's Place in the
Line-Mrs. Brigham Is AutOcrat as
to Government Bouquets-Mrs.
Hannn's Good Offices for Mrs. Nc
| KinIey.
| washington, Dec. 22.-There are some
new and interesting questions of position
and precedence in that complicated organ
ization known as official society. One of
these is suggested by the recent matri-
monial departure of Admiral Dewey. 1t
is long since Washington society has had
fell-f1edged admiral to deal with and
there has been some MISREPRESENTATION as
to the exact niche in the social structure
his wife is entitled to. 1t has been said
and published frequently that on account
of her husbands exalted position, Mrs.
Dewey would take precedence of the cab
met ladies' and rank next to Lady Paunce-
fote, The wife of the British ambassador
| This is a mistake. 1t has been decided by
the powers that be that Mrs. Dewey will
hold only the place which belongs to her
husband by reason of his position at the
| head of the navy and which is no greater
therefore than has been held formerly by
Accordingly Mrs. Dewey will be out
ranked, not only by the wives of ambas-
sailors and cabinet ministers, but by those
of foreign ministers and the judges of the
| Superior Court. Except on occasions when
her husband is the guest of honor her
place will be pretty far down the line of
reception.
1t was suggested also that The recent
Transformation of the British ambassador,
Sir Julian Pauncefote, to Lord Paunce-
| fote might affect the social position of
his wife and daughters. Inasmuch as am
| bassadorial rank is determined
| by seniority of position and as
| Lady Pauncefote was already at
the head of the diplomatic circle.
this is not the case. In fact the death
Of the Vice President and the consequent
absence Of Mrs Hobart from society,
places Lady Pauncefote next 10 Mrs. Nc
Kinley on all occasions of official enter
tainment. At diplomatic dinners in the
White House, for example, President Nc
kinley takes in Lady Pauncefote and Lord
Pauncefote accompanies Mrs. Mckinley.
The only exception TO this rule of prece-
dence is in the house of a foreign repre-
sentative. There the Secretary of State
takes precedence over all others and con-
sequently Mrs. Hay for the time being out
ranks all the other ladies' present no mat
ter II the whole ambassadorial corps is
represented
The death Of the Vice President will
have no other important effect on the
regulatio of official position. 1t is true
that Mr.. Hobart's place as presiding off,
Ger of the Senate will be taken by one
of the members of that body, but the lat
ter will not be entitled to the social posi-
ton usually occupied by the Vice Presi-
dent. His wife win merely rank ahead of
other senator's wives in official func-
tions.
The regular order of precedence sane
toned by long usage in Washington, is
as follows The wife of the President, the
wife of the Vice President the wife of the
senior ambassador and then the other five
ambassadors in order of seniority, the
wife of the Secretary of State and the
other ladies' of the cabinet in order. the
wives of foreign ministers in order of
seniority as determined by the husbands
service. the wives of Supreme Court
judges. the ladies of the army and navy
and then the wives of senators and
representatives. The latter, as Is generally
known, are so far along the line that un-
less they have special social recommenda-
tons they never arrive TO use d tech
meal society expression.
Among those in the senatorial ranks
who are expected to take a prominent
place in the lighter life of the capital this
winter are Senator Depew and Senator
Hanna, The Hannas have heretofore lived
in hotel during their stay in Washington
Consequently their opportunities for en-
tertaining have been decidedly limited.
For this winter, however, the Ohio senator
has taken a pleasant and roomy house
which is expected to be the scene of nu-
merous functions. Besides the well under
stood friendship between the Hannas and
the Presidents family guarantees the for
mer a place of certain Importance, and Il
Is understood that Mrs. Hanna will take
over from Mrs. McKinleys shoulders a
portion Of her unofficial social burdens
A unique position IN Washington society
Is that occupied by Mrs. Brigham, whose
husband Col. Brigham, u. $. A.. Is the
superintendent OF the government grounds
and buildings. The incumbent OF this POI
sition Is recognized AZ sort Of social as
Elstant 10 the Presidents wife since her
position brings her Into more or less int-
male relations with the occupants Of the
White House. For example, Il ~ the GUS
ton 90 send out each day from the White
House conservatory r. number ~ bouquets
which are distributed among the ladies %