In addition to the ordinary rules of etiquette, official society
in Washington City is governed by a code of fixed laws. The social
observances of the White House are prescribed with great exactness,
and constitute the Court Etiquette of the Republic. At the very
commencement of the Government under the Constitution the social
question became one of great magnitude, and in order to adjust it
upon a proper basis, President Washington caused a definite _Code_ to
be drawn up; but the rules were too arbitrary and exacting to give
satisfaction, and society was not disposed to acknowledge so genuine an
equality as the code required among its members. Frequent and bitter
quarrels arose in consequence of the clashing of social claims, and at
last a code was agreed upon, which may be stated as follows:
The Recognized Head.
The President and his family are recognized as the head and front of
the social structure. The President, as such, must not be invited to
dinner by any one, and accepts no such invitations, and pays no calls
or visits of ceremony. He may visit in his private capacity at pleasure.
An invitation to dine at the White House takes precedence of all
others, and a previous engagement must not be pleaded as an excuse for
declining it. Such an invitation must be promptly accepted in writing.
During the winter season, a public reception or levee is held at
stated times, at which guests are expected to appear in full dress.
They are presented by the usher to the President, and have the honor of
shaking hands with him. They then pass on, and are presented by another
usher to the wife of the President, to whom they bow, and pass on.
These receptions last from eight until ten o’clock P. M.
On the first of January and the Fourth of July the President holds
public receptions, commencing at noon, at which the Foreign Ministers
present in Washington appear in full court dress, and the officers of
the army and navy in full uniform. On such occasions, the President
receives first the Heads of Departments, Governors of States, Justices
of the Supreme Court and Members of the two Houses of Congress, in the
order named; then the Members of the Diplomatic Corps, who are followed
by the officers of the army and navy. The doors are then thrown open to
the general public, who for the space of two hours pay their respects
to the Chief Magistrate of the Nation.
The Vice-President of the United States is expected to pay a formal
visit to the President on the meeting of Congress, but he is entitled
to the first visit from all other persons, which he may return by card
or in person.
Formal Calls.
The Judges of the Supreme Court of the United States call upon the
President and Vice-President on the annual meeting of the court in
December, and on New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July. They are
entitled to the first call from all other persons.
Members of the Cabinet call upon the President on the first of January
and the Fourth of July. They are required to pay the first calls,
either in person or by card, to the Vice-President, the Judges of the
Supreme Court, Senators and the Speaker of the House of Representatives
on the meeting of Congress. They are entitled to the first call from
all other persons.
Senators call in person upon the President and Vice-President on the
meeting of Congress, New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July, if Congress
is in session at the last named time. They also call first upon the
Judges of the Supreme Court, and upon the Speaker of the House of
Representatives on the meeting of Congress. They are entitled to the
first call from all other persons.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives calls upon the President on
the meeting of Congress, on New Year’s Day, and on the Fourth of July,
if Congress is in session. The first call is due _from_ him to the
Vice-President and the Judges of the Supreme Court, but _to_ him from
all other persons.
Members of the House of Representatives call in person upon the
President on the meeting of Congress, and on New Year’s Day, and by
card or in person on the Fourth of July, if Congress is in session.
They call first, by card or in person, upon the Vice-President, the
Judges of the Supreme Court, Speaker of the House, Senators, Cabinet
Officers and Foreign Ministers, soon after the opening of the session.
Ministers from Foreign Countries.
Foreign Ministers call upon the President on the first of January and
the Fourth of July. They call first, in person or by card, upon the
Vice-President, Cabinet Officers, Judges of the Supreme Court and
the Speaker of the House on the first opportunity after presenting
their credentials to the President. They also make an annual call of
ceremony, by card or in person, on the above mentioned officials soon
after the meeting of Congress. They are entitled to the first calls
from all other persons.
The Judges of the Court of Claims call in person upon the President on
New Year’s Day and the Fourth of July. They pay first calls to Cabinet
Officers and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, and call annually, by
card or in person, upon the Vice-President, Judges of the Supreme
Court, Senators, Speaker and Members of the House soon after the
meeting of Congress.
The intercourse of the other officers of the Government is regulated by
superiority of rank in the public service.
The intercourse of the families of officials is regulated by the rules
which govern the officials themselves.
Besides the public levees of the President, the ladies of the White
House hold receptions at stated periods, to which invitations are
regularly issued. The President sometimes appears upon these occasions,
but is under no obligation to do so.
It has long been the custom for the President to give a series of State
Dinners during the session of Congress, to which the various members
of that body, the higher Government officials and the Diplomatic Corps
are successively invited. In order to show attention to all, and offend
none, it is necessary to give quite a number of these dinners during
the session.
[The proper titles to be used in addressing the President, Members of
the Cabinet, Members of Congress, Judges of the Supreme Court and other
Government officials, are found in the Department on “Letter-Writing.”]
[Illustration: Decoration]