Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-01-18

cial function at which the latter was
to be present.
Il When a dinner is to be given at which
a number Of diplomats are to be guests
there usually precedes it a volumi-
nous correspondence in order to insure
for the various guests positions at
the table in accordance with their rank
and position. Several times American
women have transgressed etiquette in
this respect.
Not long ago hostess who had just
taken up her residence in Washington
and was entertaining her first dinner
party of official folk, realized after the
guests had assembled that she was
wholly ignorant Of the intracacies of
social precedence as governed by off,
cial rank. There was but one way out
Of 1t. The hostess boldly took the bull
by the horns.
II haven't the faintest idea Of how
you ought to go into dinner" she an
nounced. But those of you who wish
anything to eat had better get in some
way or the things will be spoiled"
Fortunately all the guests possessed
a saving sense Of humor. They flocked
into the dining room, took such seats
as were most convenient, and the din
ner was a success.
One Of the social tangles growing out
OF the law regarding the succession to
the presidency is found in the discus
sion which has been in progress in re-
cent years as to the relative positions
of the president pro tempore Of the
United States senate and the speaker
Of the house Of representatives. When
the first dinner at the White House fol-
owing the death Of Vice-President Ho-
bart, President Mckinley gave the
place Of honor to Senator Frye, the
president pro tempore of the senatee
Speaker Henderson Of the house Of rep
resentatives was highly displeased,
and he afterward declined to attend
any dinner unless ne was assured in
advance that he would have the place
Of honor.
The tension between General Miles
and General Corbin has been reflected
in the social world at Washington in a
very noticeable manner, as has also
the controversy existing between the
adherents Of Admiral Schley and Ad-
miral Sampson. Tempers were ruff1ed
during the winter Of 1900-01 in conse-
quence of the question Of precedence
/ x6a nf
Dewey and General Miles.
The matter was finally settled-in as
great degree as any Of these social
controversies ever can be settled-by
the decision that, inasmuch as the
war department was established prior
to the navy department. the general
commanding the army was entitled to
precedence over the admiral Of the
navy at official functions. When the
men are entertained as individuals,
however, Admiral Dewey, being Of su-
perior rank, takes precedence.
Famous feuds in congress have al
most invariably been reflected in the
social world at Washington. The ef-
feet Of a bitter hostility, such as that
which existed, for instance, between
Conkling and Blaine, is invariably felt
in social circles.
Not infrequently public men are
made to suffer the consequences of So
cial quarrels precipitated by the women
Of their families. From such a source
sprang the bitter fight which Governor
Tanner, Of Illinois, made against the
election Of Senator Cullom.
| The governors animosity was caused
by a slight placed upon his wife by
Mrs. Cullom, who was reported to have
declared that Mrs. Tanner, as the
daughter of a horse trader and auc-
tioneer, was socially impossible"
For years there was noted difference
between Mrs. Merriam, whose husband
Is now director Of the census, and Mrs.
Davis, widow Of Senator Cushman K.
Davis, Of Minnesota. When Senator
Davis gave his support to Mr.. Mer-
RAMS candidacy for the office he now
holds, truce was patched up between
the two men and the reconciliation was
supposed to extend to the ladies' Of the
| household.
One of the most notable Of all social
tangles was precipitated a few years
ago by the refusal Of Lord Pauncefote,
the British ambassador and dean of
the diplomatic corps, to call upon the
vice president. He argued that he was
off al 70 n
his government, but also the personal
representative Of his sovereign, and
as such was entitled to rank directly
after the president.
| Vice-President Stevenson was a good
natured man and allowed the ambassa-
dor to have his way; but when Vice
President Hobart assumed the office he
stood out for his rights. The matter
was eventually referred to the British
foreign office, which held that the vice
president was to be regarded as the
heir to the presidency, and thus Of the
same rank as crown prince. and con-
sequently Lord PauncefoteTeceived an
intimation from his home government
that he had better call upon the vice
president nt-Washingto correspondence
New York Sun.
i MEN AND BEAsTs.-I once had
trainer, an old Irishman, who had
served in a British regiment in India
and who knew the ways Of tigers in
every detail. He taught three Of them
to do more work in the show arena
than I have ever seen done by tigers.
| have seen him sitting down between