The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-10

cd by tho late chief justice. but when
the point was brought before Mrs.
Roosevelt she ruled in favor of the am
baesadors' wives.
Napoleon had in mind the women OF
the diplomatic corps when he admon-
. fshed the Duchess d.Abrantes with the
words quoted at the head Of this ar.
ticle. And the uamc scnsitivcncss
which he feared in his day is dreaded
even to-day In all of the courts OF tn,
world, including our own. For undo,
international law an ambassador Is tn,
sacred proxy of the Emperor. King OF
President whom he represents. ard
over since the treaty OF Westphalia
tina: international code has accorded
TO the wives of nmba doris the same
official honors and precedence which
they themselves enjoy. Thus, an am
bassadreEs cannot be sued for debt, no
matter how big the bill which shc runs
UP with our merchants
Diplomats and Diplomats.
The social neophyte must, however.
master the distinction between am
bas sadors and ministers II she Is the
wife OF new Supreme Court justice
or now Senator she must arm that
although she owes the first call to each
ambassadors wife. she Is entitled to
this frst call from the wives of all
foreign ministers. This punctilius di-
plomatic body Is a social world within
itself. being governed socially by It's
dean. the amba ssador of longest res
tdence in Waship gton---ln the present
instance Baron Hengelmuller who at
Washington represents the person of
Emperor Franz Josef of Austria
Hungary. A generation ago a Wash
ington host whose knowledge OF SO
cial forms was exceeded by his zeal
| for social popularity selected the
Britis.. minister to escort his wife, the
hostess, to the dining room, although
the Spanish minister. who was dean OF
the diplomatic corps, was also present
The Spanish minister protested forth
with and the Secretary OF State, who
was fortunately present, restored the
entente cordiale" by Inducing hiB
hostess to give the place OF honor to
the dean.
Officials Who Should've Meet.
And II our novice seeks the advice OF
the capitals grand danes of the old
, school. she Will DO advised against in
Hiting to the same board the Vice
President and Chief Justice. between
whom social friction has always been
apprehended BY virtue OF the fact
that his tribunal constitutes a co-ordi-
! nate branch of government empowered
to override even the Presidents ap-
prevail of laws passed by Congress.
there are some who maintain that the
| Chief Justice 10 even a higher funo-
/ tionary than the President while those
who maintain that he is second to no
other official Of tho realm are legion.
But since Mr.. McKinley's ruling that
the Offices of President and Vice Presi-
dent nre, socially speaking, insepara-
corded second rank, and to-day the
cautious host would better avoid an
tertaining the Chief Justice and dean
of the diplomatic corps, or any of the
ambassadors, at the same board. for,
as stated, the question whether the
head of the Judiciary. or the ambassa-
doris deserve third place is a matter of
dispute between Congress and the
White House, the latter having favored
the amb assadors during the past fif-
, teen years And 1t might be dangerous
to invite to the same board the Chief
Justice and Secretary OF State mas
much as many claim for. the latter rank
directly following the President-thls
by virtue of the succession act which
gives tho presidency to the Secretary
of State In case Of tho death of both
President and Vice President. Indeed.
the Supreme Court has. In It's time. had
to dispute It's rank with the Senate.
which. by virtue of. the fact that the
Constitution mentions the judiciary
third, claimed precedence. But after
studying her little book carefully the
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