Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1883 — Red Tape. [ARTICLE]

Red Tape.

A young son of the Duke of Argyle wished to marry an untitled lady, and not unnaturally asked his father’s consent to that step. The Duke replied that, personally, he had no objection to the match; but, in view of the fact that his eldest son (the Marquis of Lome) had espoused a daughter of the Queen, he thought it right to take Her Majesty’s pleasure on the subject before expressing his formal approval. Her Majesty, thus appealed to, observed that since the death of the Prince Consort she had been in the habit of consulting the Duke of SaxeCoburg on all family affairs. The matter was therefore referred to Duke Ernest, who replied that since the unification of Germany he had made it a rule to ask for the Emperor’s opinion on all important questions. The case now came before the Kaiser, who decided that, as a constitutional sovereign, he was bound to ascertain the views of the Prime Minister. Happily for the now anxious pair of lovers, the Iron Chancellor had no wish to consult anybody, and decided that he marriage might take place.