The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-03-04
PRECEDENCE CAUSES
DIVERGENT VIEWS

Shall the Chief Justice and Associate
Justices Of the Supreme Court OF the
United States precede the Ambassadors
accredited to this country from foreign
Governments
This is the much-mOoted point now I'M
der discussion and there is likely to be
great deal of diplomatic influence
brought to bear before the question is
finally settled to the satisfaction Of all
concerned. The Ambassadors have brought
the matter officially to the attention Of
the Secretary Of State and he in turn has
sounded the several Supreme Court Jus
tees, but the result has not been es-
pecially conductive to a peaceful solution
Of the question at issue.
Done in the American Way.
Representative Charles H. Grosvenor Of
Ohio. chairman OF the House Committee
on de recent Mckinley memorial exer-
cises, said last night that he did not think
that the matter would be carried 20
conclusion. The same question has arisen
on several previous occasions but the is
sue has not been forced General Gros-
venor said that the same order Of pre-
cedence was observed at the Mckinley
memorial exercises as al those in memory
Of President Lincoln and President Car
field. Il guess what was good enough for
US then is good enough for US now. They
may have different ways Of doing things
across the water. but this is America
significantly concluded the Ohioan.
Friendly Relations Involved.
While the question which Is agitating
the Diplomatic Corps and the Supreme
Court may seem trivial to most people. it
is really a matter Of considerable inporf-
ance in that it involves the friendly re-
latiOns Of the United States with foreign
countries There is danger that offence
viii be given TO the Emrerors. Kings. and
Presidents who are represented in Wash
ington by Ambassadors. Each Ambassa-
dor Is the personal representative OF his
sovereign and is distinguished from
Minister in that the Minister represents
only his Government
The Ambassadors here have laid down
the rule. from which they viii not recede
one iota, that they are the other selves
OF their sovereigns. and as such. rank
United States and precede on Official oc-
casions all other persons connected with
the Government Of the United States.
They contend that Lord Pauncefote. as
the Ambassador OF King Edward VII. is
to all intents and purposes King Edward
IN the flesh. in his representation in
Washington.
Yielded m MrKi,Ie,
Five years ago when Mr.. Mckinley be-
came President Of the United States tba
Ambassadors rather reluctantly made a
slight concession, upon which Mr.. Me-
Kinley insisted. that the Vice President
or the United States might precede them
on occasions OF Official ceremony. Mr.
Mckinley made the point that Vice PresI-
dent Hobart. being constitutionaHy eIigf-
bic to the Presidency. ranked with. but
after, the President, and must. therefore
be recognized as superior or at least
equal 10 the representatives Of foreign
rulers.
Beyond this, however. the Ambassadors
have declined 70 make any concession
and they are now Insisting that the ais
puted question Of precedence between
themselves and the Federal Supreme
Court he settled once and for all. II it
IS not settled there viii be danger Of
much ll-Ieellng, which viii probably eX-
tend to some OF the courts Of Europe.
Officials Exchange Views.
In connection with the latest phase OF
the controversy It was learned today that
there has been an exchange Of views or
the subject between the State Depart
ment, the Supreme Court, and the Corps
OF Ambassadors. IN these exchanges
Chief Justice Fuller has insisted that the
Supreme Court, as the highest branch Of
one Of the three coordinate divisions Of
the United States Government. was emit
tied to rank with the President on Occa-
siOns OF official ceremony. In support OF
his contention 1t was maintained that
members Of the Supreme Court we're al
ways given the position OF honor at en-
tertainments at foreign embassies.
The State Department declined to ac-
cept this as a reason why the Supreme
Court should take precedence over the
Ambassadors. maintaining that Il was
merely a personal tribute on the part Of
the Ambassadors TO guests of distinction.
Through some means, these Supreme