Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-09-20

issued announcing that by the death Of Presi-
dent Garfield Chester A. Arthur succeeds him
ana is TO be regarded and obeyed in accordance
With his succession.
Business Suspended.
ACTION OF THE DISTRICT AuTHoRrTIEs-rHE DIS
TRIcr MILITARY.
All the District offices on Al street the health
office and Police Headquarters We're draped In
Mourning at an early hour this morning. and
business in the Columbia buildings was virtually
suspended. very few callers being about. Com
missioners Dent aud Morgan were early at the
buildings and were waiting quietly for the
arrival o. Major Twining. in order to determine
what action they would take. Secretary Tinda
made a haSty visit to the State and other gov
eminent departments to ascertain what action
might be taken. and the impression OF NeSsrs
Dent and Morgan was that they would follow
whatever course would be pursued 10y the gov
ernment departments as to closing. At the
state department, it aScertained that
the office would be closed TO all out
SIDE business until after the funeral
Col. Amos Webster adutant general OF the Dis
'rlct militia, called at the District buildings this
morning and held a conference with the Com
inissioners- Tie stated to a STAR reporter that
the militia would be subject, through him. TO
an. oiuefs from the General of the Army or the
Distflct commissioners, and that the order
issued by him on the day of the assassination,
Ill relation TO the District militia holding them
selves In readiness for any duty was still in force
ana would be until after the funeral of the
PRESIDENT Major Twining arrived about 1890
"-in', anu private session was at once held.
IN MOURNING.
The flags throughout the CITY were at half
mast. The decorations in mourning take almost
every conceivable shape and style. and there are
good stores were almost entirely occupied i'm
selling mourning goods The CITY Hall was
early decorated and the courts were closed. but
the other offices in the building were kept open
for routine business.
The District Commissioners.
A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DEATH OF
THE PRESIDENT-TRE PUBLIC OFFICES AND
SCHOOLS TO BE CLOSED.
The meeting of the Commissioners this morning
was held with closed doors. and lasted until
after IL o'clock. No reason was assigned for
| closing the doors. and after midday their action
| was promulgated 10y way of the following order:
| ut becomes the sorrowful duty of the Com
EllsSioners TO announce to the people of the Dis
trlct OF Columbia the death of the President of
the United States. who expired at Long Branch,
n. j.. at 1875 p. m. on the 18th instant. Illus
! trious in arms. i'm the forum. i'm the halls of
| legislation, and as Chief Magistrate OF the
Union. the nation mOurns his sad and untimely
| demise, and bows in sorrow to the dispensation
OF the Great Ruler of the Universe
AS slignC expression OF the universal feeling of
| national bereavement the Commissioners direct
that the public offices and business of the Dis
| trct, including the public schools. be closed and
| suspended until further order and that all pub
lie buildings of said District be appropriately
diaped in mourning. And they earnestly re-
| commend to their fellow-ctizens the observance
| Oh perfect quiet and order during the progress
OF the obSequies of the nations dead and such
manifestation of respect and sorrow as BELTS the
| solemn OCCASION"
| by order OF the board.
J. DENT President