Gilded Age Etiquette of DC Officials

Grover Cleveland was the U.S. President in 1894. It was his second term of the Presidency. Women new to Washington D.C. not only would have looked to elder statesmen for etiquette advice, but to the wife of the President, as well. - Above, public domain image of Drawing of President Grover Cleveland’s and Frances Folsom’s, June 1886 wedding, at the White House, Washington, D.C.

 Addressing the President — 

The Washington Official Etiquette

A certain etiquette is to be observed in addressing the President, either in person or by letter, which many strangers to Washington seem not to know. The proper title is "Mr. President," and all such titles or words as "Your Honor," "Your Excellency," or "President Cleveland," are considered as in extremely bad taste. Massachusetts calls its Governor "Your Excellency," and the Lieutenant Governor "Your Honor," but the President of the United States is simply "the President." In letters to him the address, "The President, Executive Mansion, Washington, D. C.," is all that is necessary, and more is improper. 

As to the members of the cabinets, in private conversation, you address them as "Mr. Secretary of the Treasury," "Mr. Attorney-General," etc. But in writing the proper form is, for instance "Hon. Thomas Bayard, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C." In writing to a senator you say in a formal epistle, "Mr. Senator," and you address the outside of your letter, for instance the "Hon. John A. Logan, Senate Chamber, Washington, D. C." 

Members of Congress are addressed by their last names with Mr. But if one of them has ever had a decent military title I beg you, if you want any favors, to give him the full benefit of the title. By a decent military title I mean anything above the rank of major. In case of doubt always aim higher than you think instead of lower. You may call a Congressman who has been a Colonel a General and flatter him, but if you call him Captain he will scowl at you and never forgive you. No class of people are more easily flattered than those whom the world regards as great men. — The Toledo Blade, 1885

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor of the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia