National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-09-21
CEREMONIES AT THE CAPITOL.
Arrangements for the Reception and Dts
position OF the Rrunins.

Colonel II. j. Bright, the Sergeant-at-
Arms Of the Senate, and Mr.. Edward Clarke, Archi-
tect of the Capitol were busily engaged last night
In the rotundG OF the Capitol in experimenting
the arrangements for the funeral Of the late Prcsi-
dent Garfield Colonel Bright said that he was
placed In very peculiar position. He is the senior
officer ofthe Senate II is ut present constituted,
but he does not know how he can exercise bit OF
authority except when he nets in conjunction
with the Architect of the Capitol. Colonel
Bright said that he had no definite
Information as to what will be done with the body
OF General Garfield but from the intelligence he
has received so far he judged that the body will
be brought ut once from the depot to the Capitol.
This was also the opinion of Mr.. Clarke. Colonel
Bright Intends as far as his vote shall be Of effect,
to urge that all newspaper admissions to the oere
monies Mt the Capitol shall be controlled by the
Newspaper Mems Committee that was in
effect at the last organization Of the Senate.
He stated last night to reporter OF THE REPuB-
LtcAN that while he was Of course the senior OIL
Ger of the Senate of the United States, he did not
feel that he had any authority officially to invite
Senators to attend the funeral. The adviccs re.
cciyed by Colonel Bright and Mr.. Clarke are that
the body will arrive here to-day between four and
five o'clock In the afternoon Colonel Bright
thought there would be at least twenty five SEN
ators present who will attend the funeral cortego
to Cleveland, and the number may probably be
thirty-fve.
THE DAIs IN THE RoTUNDA.
Architect Clark In charge ofthe Capitol building
has large force of workmen engaged in preparing
the rounda of the Capitol for the reception OF the
remains. The historical paintings which line the
walls are heavily draped with mourning embems
and black serge heavily fringed is suspended
from the cornices and balustrades under the dome
In the centre Of the rotunda. Immediately beneath
the statue of the Goddess of Liberty, will be placed
the dals upon which the coffin containing the re-
mains will rest II is about three feet in height
three steps leading up to the platform, and is GOV.
cred with black velvet heavily fringed with black
silk. This dnis is the same one thatwasused In the
obsequies ofthe amented Lincoln and ChiefJustice
Chase, and from rs arrangement will enable all
who desire to have q good view Of the features Of
| the late President. The chambers Of the Senate
and House of Representatives are also heavily
draped, but the doors leading to them will be
closed to the public on the days ofthc ceremonics
The entrance will be by the west door Of the ro-
tunda thence around the dais to the cast door,
and exit on East Capitol street.
Senators Anthony and Bayard arrived here last
evening to appoint committee Of the Senate to
| attend the Presidents funeral and to make such
other arrangements rs 1t is proper for the Senate
to enter into. AS there Is now no presiding officer
Of the Senate, Sergeant at Arms Thompson, of the
House Of Representatives, tclegraphed to Senators
Anthony and Bayard, they being the seniors In
service oftheir respective political parties, asking
them to take charge of the Senate arrangements.
lie also gave instructions for the erection of a
catafalque in the rotunda of the Capitol and for
appropriate mourning decorations The neces.
| sary preparations had all been made when the
official notification was received from Long
Branch that the remains would II c in state at the
| Capitol