Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 138, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1904 — DIPLOMATS IN DUDGEON. [ARTICLE]

DIPLOMATS IN DUDGEON.

Will Xorßuin Their Feathers and Gold Lace at InanKuration. The "man who is to sit in the presidential chair for the next four years will be called upon to decide & rather deli-' cate question. This concerns the status of flfie diplomatic corps on great national Occasions, -such ai the induction of a President into office. ‘ v . At the last ina'iiguration’the most fervent advocate of American freedom and ccntempt. for insignia of rank , would have to confess that the foreign diplomat had a just cause for grievance. They were provided haphazard with seats On the grand stand, but no effort was made to get them through the. crowd to obtain the places according to the law of precedence.' This grand stand was an open platform and, as the last inauguration day combined a Kansas cyclone with a Dakota blizzard, the foreigners had ah -unhappy time. They wofre their most gorgeous uniforms and received great damage to their apparel, nht to speak of the physical infirmities brought on by the exposure. The late Lord Pauneefoto jocosely remarked. that his appearance at the inauguration cost him nearly SSOO, part of which went to replace rained feathers and trappings, and the remainder for doctors’ bills. The seats of the President and Vice President and of the cabinet officers and, Supreme Court justices were sheltered end this, caused much dissatisfaction to the diplomats. Indeed, it is freely Stated that if they cannot be assured of courteous treatment hereafter they will form no part of the pageant which will be a part of the inauguration.