The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-05

the department tomorrow, informally, and
stated that he had already ordered the
draping of the building. He afterwards in
formed an Associated Press reporter that when
the department is informally closed, all mail and
express matter is received as usual, but that
nothing is sent out from the department. and
nothing goes on record as having been done on
that day. He said that the relations of the
Treasury Department with the business world
were such that It was important it should be
closed as seldom as possible. He thought that
by direction of the President the sub-treasuries
and other outside bureaus of that department
would be closed for couple of hours, at least
on the day of the Secretary's funeral.
Mr.. Coon, as soon as he received the news Of
the death of the Secretary, notified the POST
master general, who is the only Cabinet officer
IN the city, and both sent kilograms to the Presi
dient Informing the latter that they had received
news of the death of Mr. Folger.
Assistant-secretary French, of the Treasury,
has been in Europe for some time, and is now on
his way home. His absence leaves Mr.. Coon, the
only Assistant Secretary here since Mr.. Folger
left Under the law, he will continue to act as
Secretary, unless the President should make
another appointment for ten days from to-day,
The death Of Cabinet officer during his term
OF otfice has been of rare occurrence in this
country. Mr. Webster died while Secretary Of
State, and two Secretaries of War-Rollins and
gpshur, two Postmaster generals Brown and
Howe-have died while in Office. Mr.. Folger is
the first Secretary of the Treasury who has died
while holding Office
Assistant Secretary Coon said that he had re-
ceived several letters recently from Secretary
Folger, in which he wrote rather despondently.
In one, alluding to the burden of the work in the
department, he said that, while he was about use
less, still he would pack his trunk and return to
duty if he mr. Coon) felt that too much was
laid upon him. In another he
remarked that he was in mieer-
able plight, while q third letter
was closed abruptly with the remark that he
had set out to write at length but felt too weak
and listiess- Two others received since were
dictated to an amanuensis, and, while contain
ing clear directions concerning important de-
partment matters, also conveyed the intelligence,
inserted by the writer, that the Secretary was
very sick man and capable of only the smallest
physical and mental exertion. In one letter
acting Secretary Coon was advised to send ca
Bile message to Assistant Secretary French ask
ing him to return at once Judge French was
then on his way to Liverpool.
In regard to the question of filling
the vacancy by temporary appointment,
Mr.. Coon submitted the question to the Attor-
ney- general on the death, recently of Sixth
Auditor Ella The Attorney-general gave his
opinion that vacancy occurring by the death Of
the head officer of bureau must be filed on
expiration of ten days. either by temporary des-
signaton or permanent appointment, and such
temporary designation, if made could be but for
ten days. 1t would follow, therefore, that the
vacancy in the Treasury may be temporarily
filled by an appointment for ten days from the
10th inst, and must be permanently filed not
later tnan the 2Sth inst Sundays not being
counted
A meeting of heads of Treasury bureaus will
be held tomorrow to draft appropriate resolu-
tions in memory Of Mr.. Folger,