The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-12-13
FACTS ABOUT OFFICIAL MOURNING.

Five times new in four years have all the Execu.
tive Departments and the white House been draped
with mourning at the same time, while individually
several OF these buildings have been In mourning
oftener, because when an ex-member OF the Cabinet
dies only the Department or Departments over
which he has presided are hung with black, while
when member OF the Cabinet dies In once ali OF the
Executive Departments go into mourning, as was
the case when Postmaster General Howe died In
1883, and when Secretary Folger died in 1884, These
instances, together with the mourning nut on the
buildings for President Garfed In 1881 and for ex
President Grant and Vice President Hendricks this
year, make five times in four years. ON account of
mourning having been so frequently required FOR the
public buildings In the past four years, COL WILSON,
the Commissioner OF Public Buildings and Grounds.
says he Is thinking seriously OF putting In his next
advertisement for contracts one for mourning for
the Whitc House, II required at any time during the
year. because he says when the occasion for II comes
iti often dincult to get 1t and have made and put
up as promptly as Is deemed proper. OF course, too
1t could be done more economically II let out by
contract. IL cost one thousand dollars when the
edince occupied by the State, War, and Navy De.
partmens was put in mourning for Gen. Grant.
The Senate Chamber now has Its galleries as well
as the outside OF Its doorways hung with black and
the chair OF the presiding oflcer Is draped with
blacS mourning Grape OF excellent quality. No
mourning has been inside Of the Chamber before
an honor reserved solely for the death OF the Senae
own presiding ofIlcer. There was no black inside
the Senate Chamber when the Capitol was put IN
mourning Tor President Garfield, though there were
black draperes all around the inside Of the Hall of
Representatives. BY the way, Vice President
Hendricks when presiding In the Senate preferred
not to use the chair which is now In mourning,
which is the same Senator Edn,unds occupied while
President pro tenpore MIR. Hendricks liked one OF
the chairs In which the Senators sit In the Senate
Chamber much better than the one he found pro-
vded for the presiding ofllcer. The last Is almost
reclining chair, the back is 80 much Inclined and
has head rcs-a round cushion Of dark led morocco
at the top. The entire chair is upholstered In the
same material, and has double cushion on the seat
The chair looks as II made for gentle dose.
The House Of Representatives now has mournpE
on the outside OF the main doorwaysleading into the
hall from the corridor, but there is black inside
the chamber. When the deaths occurred OF the
nrst two Vice Presidents (Cllnton and Gerry, who
died In oilce) the tive Houses OF Congress adopted
the same resolutions as to mourning.
On April 2i 1912, the day Of Vice President Clin.
toms funera 1t was resolved, "That from an un.
feigned respect to the late George Clinton, Vice
President Of the United States and President OF the
Senate the chair OF the President OF the Senate be
shrouded with black during tho present session, and
as further testimony OF respect for the memory Of
the deceased the members Of the Senate will 60 into
mourning ana wear Dlack Grape round the left
for thirty days" Then the Senate adjourned.
The day OF Cnton's funeral the House met at
A. NJ, and on motion Of Mr.. Tallm,dge 1t was re.
solved unanimously, " That from all unfelgned re.
spect to the late George Clinton, Vice President of
the United States, the Speakers chair be shroudcd
with black during the present session, and as fur
ther testimony OF respect for the memory Of the de-
ceased, the members will go into mourning and
wear black Grape on the left arm for thirty days.
OF late years the wearing of Grape on the arm in
honor OF deceased officials seems to have been re.
stricted TO the officers Of the Army and Navy. who
are ordered to wear 1t on the left arm and on their
sword-handles, orders being issued frotii the War
and Navy Departments to that effect.
The order for the Army to 60 Into mourning when
Gen. Grant died fixed the period at six months,
while the Navy were ordered into mourning for
thirty days. Now the onicial order to the Navy Is
for three months mourning for the late Vice Presi.
dent, while for the Army 1t is only thirty days, and
the latter period will expire before the six months
mourning for Gen. Grant is over, which will not be
until January %, While on Christmas Day II Will he
thirty days since the Vice President died.