The Washington times., 1904-01-22


the United States Supreme Court and
the Diplomatic Corps over the right Of
official precedence. has broken out anew
in consequence of an incident at the
White House reception last night.
Though II was only one incident In the
reception itself, and unknown to most
of the guests present. IL was the main
incident to the eminent jurists and nota-
bic diplomatists present
Official Washington has experienced
many feuds over this right OF prece-
dence, but the judicial-diplomatic one Is
the most deep-rooted of all. 1t rests
upon the decision on the one question
which is to be ranked first: The highest
judicial tribunal Of the nation, which
passes judgment upon the laws OF the
land and can impose it's judicial will
upon the acts of Congress and the Pres
ident. or the Diplomatic Corps MEM
bers. some OF them representing the
persons OF their sovereigns. equal. as
head OF a nation. TO the President him
self
Justices Held Up.
Although last nights reception was
announced as given in honor of the Ju-
dietary, the members OF the august
United States Supreme Court had to
take second place 20 the diplomatists.
The foreign contingent were given the
same position at the head of the line as
was accorded them two weeks ago at
the reception in their honor.
This proved most annoying to Chief
Justice Fuller and his associates, and
they protested TO Major McCawley. one
OF the White House aides. who was sta
toned at the entrance to the Blue
Room Their protest proved unavaiiing,
however. and they were obliged to stand
In line and wait until the Diplomatic
Corps had passed by the President.
Resented by Justices.
Not only were ambassadors and min
listers given precedence over the Chief
Justice and his associates, but all the
legation secretaries and other attaches
who had arrived up TO that time were
allowed to receive the Presidents
greetings before the members of the
judiciary were permitted to enter the
room
Chief Justice Fuller and his associates
left the White House Immediately after
passing down the line The Chief JUS
tice and his wife, after shaking hands
with the receiving party, passed directly
back through the Blue and Red parlors
to the private elevator and left the
mansion
SuIp " DlplOAlol1Slo-
That the order was a surprise to some
OF the leading members OF the Diplo.
matte Corps is undisputed. This is evil
dent from one noteworthy fact-the ar
rival of the dean Of the corps. Count
Casslni, at twenty minutes past the
hour set for the opening Of the recep>
ton and his taking his place with his
staff in the general line. guests-in-
ordinary OF the President.
Count Cassini-s regard for punctilious
official etiquette is thoroughly well
known by his confreres They are well
aware that II he had expected TO claim
the right TO precede the judiciary. he
would have been on hand. well in ad-
vance Of the hour set to claim such a
right for himself ard his colleagues.
Mexican Envoy Leads.
In consequence, when the members Of
the corps were invited to lead the line. the
Mexican ambassador was the ranking
diplomatist present and was the first to
shake hands with the President. After
him came the British and French am
bassadors with their staffs. and a num-
ber of the ministers, with their legation
attaches.
At s:20 O'Clock Count Cassini arrived
and entered the general line as it was
passing kDTOuEn lUG ENtu 1NDOII-
He was accompanied by Mr.. Hanson.
Colonel RaspOpOw, Commander Bouta-
koff, ard Mr.. Bobron. Other diplomat
lists Joined the line. in similar way. as
soon as they arrived. indicating their
view that they came as personal and
not az official guests of honor.
Reproved by Chief Justice.
While detained at the door Of the
Blue Room. Chief Justice Fuller gave
Major McCawley. the aide, low-voicod
dressing down that the officer will prob
ably remember a long time. Associate
Jtstice Harlan. towering head and
shoulders above his white-lOcked chief.
added a few well-chosen remarks 10
those OF the Chief Justice.
You'll have TO wait. your honor"
said the major. The Diplomatic Corps
goes first"
But this is the reception 10 the ju-
dietary sir Indignantly replied Chief
Justice Fuller I'VE should certainly
have precedence tonight"
Cant help 4. your honor" responded