Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 January 1884 — IS LOWELL A DUDE? [ARTICLE]

IS LOWELL A DUDE?

An Official Inquiry at Washington— Richelieu Robinson's Resolution. —» A resolution has been introduced in the House by Mr. Robinson, of New York, calling upon the Secretary of State for information regarding the dress of American representatives in foreign countries as thep'appear on public occasions. It has exclusive reference to Minister Lowell, who is reported to wear knee-breeches upon state and other occasions. When Sunset (ox returned from Europe he reported that Mr. Lowell was arrayed in knee-breeches and buckle shoes when he called upon him, and that our Minister made a vain but ineffectual attempt to hide his calves under a table. “What is the object of your resolution?" was asked of Mr. Boblnson. “It Is to ascertain if any of our representatives abroad are really acting like dudes,” he replied. “I am told that In some countries our ministers and consuls dress like fops, that they don fancy coats and big brass sabers and imagine themselves kings and princes.” “Have you any instances?” “Yes, sir. lam told that recently our Minister Lowell oould not be seen because he was dressing for a reception. It is said that our representative to Persia had to take off his boots not long since and approach the Pasha in his bare feet. Such proceedings are beneath the dignity .of an American citizen. He ought to have applied' his boot to the Pasha.” Mr. Robinson said that the United States would not tolerate any “monkey business,” as he put it, on the part of the representatives abroad; that there was a statute enacted in I£3B for the express purpose of requiring American Ambassadors to maintain the recognized customs and etiquette of their own country, and that if Mr. Lowell had been guilty of a violation of this law he ehould be recalled. . It is a matter of notice that Mr. Lowell is a subject of unfavorable comment in all quarters in Washington at this time. A leading Republican Senator said the other day that the aping tendencies of Mr. Lowell, which at first produced only ridicule, are likely to bo so seriously regarded in the end as to necessitate his recall. MINISTER liOWELU’S RECTORSHIP. (Washington Telegram to Chicago Herald.] Your correspondent has definitely ascertained that Minister Lowell received a polite, but peremptory notification from the Department of State that his acceptance of the Rectorship of St. Andrews was regarded as an act inconsistent with his obligations as the representative of the American Government at a foreign court. The letter to Mr. Lowell called his attention to the prohibition put upon American ambassadors as.to their acceptance of titles, honor, office, etc., from foreign potentates.