The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1901-12-06

uniformed combatant in the recent war
might, properly, under international
law, have been taken prisoner by Spain.
President Arthur is said to have dis
regarded this rule, as we'll as the two
others mentioned. 1t was reported
that he partook of luncheon aboard a
foreign warship anchored at Newport.
But, as in the other cases, his action
was not illegal Such restriction is
not imposed upon any foreign ruler or
executive, so far as is known. 1t is a
fad of Emperor William, of Germany,
to inspect foreign fighting craft.
A President of the United States
must not make formal call upon any
one except President-elect, an ex-
President, President of foreign
State or foreign monarch visiting
our capital. This is an ancient law
laid down in Washington's time. 1t
was held 10y his social advisers that
there could be no improperly in the
Presidents making or receiving in
formal visits to or from personal friends
at his pleasure. But it was deemed
improper for him to make such calls
in full ceremonial dress Or with reti-
nue. of attendants. "The Presidents s
pleasure should absolutely decide con-
cerning his attendance at tea parties
in private character, and no gentle
man or lady ought ever to complain if
be rarely ever attends" was the adj
vice given to the first President. But
these ancient rules are little respected
by the Chief Magistrates Of these days.
RECEIVES ONLY INTIMATE FRIENDS on
SUNDAYS.
For President to accept an invita-
tion to dinner is an improperly. This
was rule respected by Washington,
Adams and perhaps other early Presi-
dents. Frequent informal calls upon
members Of the Cabinet only were
deemed perfectly proper. But later
Presidents have called upon and dined
with whomsoever they have seen fit.
For each member of the Cabinet form
ally to entertain the President and his
wife at dinner each winter has now be-
come an established social custom.
| The President must not receive any
but intimate friends on Sunday. This
was another rule of the early days.
Even to day reasonable consideration
for the Chief Executive forbids dis
turbance of his Sabbath rest, and few
officials pay him Sunday call unless
they be upon the most intimate terms
with him.
The President must not hold his
annual State receptions or State din
ners during Lent This rule is still
respected, although many recent mas
ters of the White House have been
worshipers at churches prescribing no
social abstinence during the period be-
tween A sh Wednesday and Easter Day.
1t remains as relic of the Mother
Country's religious influence upon her
early colonies. Washington, as is we'll
known, was a communicant of the
Church of England.
The President never pays first
call: except upon the arrival of the
head of foreign State in Washington.
When President Dole, of Hawaii, and
President Iglesias, of Costa Rica, Wis
tied the capital few years ago Presi-
dent Mckinley paid the first call upon
each. Happily they were quartered
at hotels. Had they been guests at
legations of their countries a social
complication might have arisen. Per-
haps President Mckinley would have
seen fit to designate hotel wherein to
pay this first courtesy. When the
Princess Arbert. of Anhalt, grand
daughter Of Queen Victoria, visited
Washington she paid the President the
first call. She was stopping at the
British Embassy, and, moreover, was
travelling mcoyuito, under the name Of
Countess Munsterberg. But even had
she been the heir TO the British throne
she would have owed the President the
first call. A Grown Prince ranks only
as high as our Vice President
CUSTOM SELECTS HIS DINNER COMPANION
The President must not pay first
call upon the President-clect when the
latter comes to Washington for his
Inauguration. John Adams resented
the failure of Jefferson to pay him the
required first visit. Adams absented
himself from the Inauguration of the
father of Democracy. John Quincy
Adams acted similarly when jackson,
his successor, refused to pay him the
customary honor. The first call of a
President-c!cct should he returned by
his predecessor within an hour.
A President must not exercise his
personal choice in escorting ladies to
his formal dinners. Certain strict
rules govern the 'ating of guests at
these functions. At his Diplomatic
dinner he must pay the first honor to
tue wife of the dean of the Diplomatic
Corps-at present Lady Pauncefote;
at his Supreme Court, the wife of the
Chief Justice; at the Cabinet dinner,
the wife of the Vice President.
He does not make use of the compli-