Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 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. Robinsdn, of New York, calling upon the Secretary of State for information regarding the dress of American representatives in foreign countries as they appear on public occasions. It has exclusive reference to Minister Lowell, who Is reported <o wear knee-breeches upon state and other occasions. When Sunset Cox 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. Bobinson. “It is to ascertain if any of our representatives abroad are really acting like dudes,” he replied. “lam 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 could 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 bar© 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 1838 for the express purpose of requiping Atßericaß Ambassadors' to maintain the recognized eustoms and etiquette of their own country, and that if Mr. Lowell had been guilty of a violation of this law he should be recalled. It is a matter of notice that Mr. Lowell is a subject of unfavorable comment In all quarters In W ashingtou 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 be so seriously regarded In the end as to necessitate his recall. MINISTER I.OWELR’B 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 bis 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.