St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-09-05
A Biographical Sketch and Re-
view OF His Public Life at
Washington.
Reception of the News at the Treas
ury Department and by
the President.
His Successor VIII Have to Be Appointed
on or Before the 2Sth
Instant.


here two or three times as consulting physi-
clan, arrived on the As train, and was con-
veyed to the Folger mansion by Dr. Smith.
Mrs. Ernst, the secretary's sister, arrived by
the same train. After the three
last named had entered, the
dying man gasped twice, and all
was over. Secretary Foiger's two daughters
are in the A,lirOndacks, the elder in very
feeble health His son. Capt Charles W.
FoigeS is at Alexandria, Virginia. All have
been written to come, Tue Geneva telegraph
not being earlier rcsorted to as the sudden
termination WAS not apprehended. Capt.
FOlger viii arrive TO morrow. The secretary
returned for the last time to Geneva We'd
uesday evening, Sept. 20.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
Secretary Folger's family physician gives
the following diagnosis of the case: Great
feebieness of the hearts action, congestion of
the middle lobe of the right lung and capil-
larry congestion OF the bronchial tubes. torpid
liver and an albumnous discharge OF urine,
showing disease of the kidneys The doctor
was informed that the secretary had had
hemorrhage of the lungs three times OF late,
before his return. The first was while out
yachting with friends at New York. on which
occasion ne discharged about a pint of blood.
The secretary rode out daily until the Doth
ult.. since which time he has kept his room,
but did not wholly abandon his official work.
he continued to answer important letters
and kilograms up to yesterday, and seemed
reluctant to give up, yet he vas by no means
unconscious of his critical condition. He
entrusted TO his personal friend, Capt. Lewis,
the final messages to his family and other
directions of confidential nature. Within 4
few moments after the secretary expired
kilograms announcing his death were des-
patched to President Arthur at Newport, As
sistant Treasurer Coon, Frank Sperry, his
private secretary, Hon. Thomas c. Acton,
assistant treasurer at New York, and Judge
Andrews, of Syracuse.
THE TOWN IN MOURNING.
General gloom pervades the people Of Ge-
neva over this sudden removal of their be-
loved townsman, men Of all parties and of
all conditions in life alike joining in express
sions of sorrow. The first emblems of
mourning displayed were above the entrance
to the quarters of the Thirty-fourth, separate
company, Folger corps, y. g. S. n. Y, at
Geneva, the National bank and upon tine
large Cleveland and Hendricks banner sus-
pended across the street. The secretary will
be inferred in Geneva by the side of his wife,
who died seven years ago.
THE NEWS AT WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 4-The first news of
the death of Secretary Folger received in this
city was conveyed in the associated press dis
patch from Geneva. Upon its being shown
to ex-Seeretary Coon. who is the acting sec
rotary, he Immediately notified the chiefs of
the bureaus in the treasury department, and
invited them to meet at his Office this even
ing. Late in the evening Coon was in
formed by brief telegram from Geneva
from the colored servant of Folger, of the
latter's death As the news of the death of
the secretary spread about the city,
it was received with general
expressions of regret Officials of the
treasury department especially were shocked
by the suddenness of the event. Tie gen
orally expressed opinion of these officers vas
that his death was due to oyerwork. He
sought to supervise all the details of the ser
vice, instead OF leaving the merely routine
work to his subordinates. Treasurer Wyman
said that for some time before Foiger left the
department he had been complaining Of pain
in the region of the heart, and in difficulty
in breathing. The watchmen and other en-
ploycs of the department who heard the
news expressed their sorrow and spoke feel
ingly OF Foiger's uniform kindness to them.
TO CLOSE THE DEPARTMENT.
At the meeting in the assistant seeretary's
Office this evening there were pres nt Mr.
Coon, who presided, Comptroller Lawrence,
Commissioner johnson. Treasurer Wyman.
Commissioner Evans, Fourth Auditor Boards
ley, Supervising Architect Bell, Gen. Dumont.
Mr. Nimmo chief of the bureau of statistics,
MIR. Alexander, filth auditor, and Judge
Crowell, acting sixth auditor. Mr.. Coon, on
calling the meeting TO order, an
nounced The death OF Secretary
Foger and stated that be had called
the officials together to advise with them
as to the proper action to be taken. In the
absence Of the president an executive order
to close the department could not be had,
and he was doubtful of his authority to close
it. even for Ciav He said if there were no
legal obstacles in the way he would close the
department tomorrow, and also on the day
of the funeral. Judge Lawrence, FIRST comp
trolier, Judge johnson and Mr. Alexander,
fifth auditor. gave it as their opinion that the
acting secretary had authority to close the
department informally, out of respect for the
dead secretary. Sir. Coon, alter hearing
, from these advisors, announced that he
would issue an order closing the department
tomorrow informally, and stated that he
had already ordered the draping OF the build
ing. He afterwards informed an Associated
Press reporter that when the Office is inform
ally closed all the mail and express matter is
received as usual, but nothing is sent out
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 that it should be
closed as seldom as possible. He thought by
the direction OF the president the sub-treas-
uries and other outside bureaus OF the de-
partment would be closed for couple of
hours at least on the day OF the funeral.
THE PRESIDENT NOTIFIED.
Mr.. Coon, as soon as he received the news
of death of the secretary, notified the post
master general. who is the only cabinet
officer in the city, and both sent kilograms
to the president informing the latter that
they had received news of the death of Mr..
Folger. Assistant secretary French. of the
treasury department, has been in Europe fol
some time, and is now on his way home. His
absence leaves Mr.. Coon the only assistant
secretary here, and has been acting secretary
since Folger left. Under the law he will
continue to act as secretary, unless the presi-
, dent should make another appointment in
ten days from tonight. Death of a cabinet
officer during his term Of Office has been a
rare occurrence in this country. Webster
died while secretary of state, and two secre-
taries of war, Rollins and Upshur, and two