Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-12-11
Washington Letter.
from our Regular Correspondent.
ASHI>0roX, Nov. -. 1SSj.

ASIIlNDrON, Nov. - 1SSJ.
The Capitol, White House, and
Executive Department are draped III
mourning again, and the national flag
upon all Government buildings floats
at half mast. When the President
was informed by telephone of the
death Of Vice President Hendricks,
ho was going down to dinner. He
seemed greatly shocked, and showed
IA hesitancy in believing the sad news.
lie then sent for Col. Lamont, and in
n sholt time the Cabinet officers were
hastening to the White House with
serious aud anxious faces, summoned
by Mr.. Cleveland. The Cabinet re-
manned IN session for two hours and
"A half. The Commissioner of Public
Buildings was sent for and ordered
to have all public buildings draped
with cmhiems of mourning as soon as
possible. Th Cabinet took action in
regard to the funeral, and decided
10 attend it III body, with the
President,
Mr. Cleveland would have no sue
ccssor If hc should die before the
dato OF the meeting of Congress. I'm
der tho constitutional provision, two
lives in,orpose between those of the
President and Vice President, and
vacancy. The statute provides.
In case Of removal death resig-
nation or III ability OF both the Prssi-
dent and Vice President, then the
President Of the Senate, or If there
IN none. the Speaker of the House
shall act IA President until the dis
ability in removed or u President
elected. AT present there is no
President Of the Senate and no
Speaker OF the House, and those Of
iicers cannot he elected until Con
gress meets. Should vacancy oc-
eur in the meantime tho Govern
mont would be carried on by the
Cabinet until q President of the
Senate or Speaker is elected, as it
was during President Gariield's in
ability. Congrefs has done nothing
To- avoid such situation us has now
arisen. A bill providing for diff
fcrcnt succession to the Presidency
was introduced last winter. 1t pro-
ylded, when the offices of the Prssi-
dent and Vice President were both
made vacant by death, that the sue
cession should pass first to the Sec
retary Of State, and then to the other
Cabinet officers in the line of their
rank. Such measure would keep
tho power with tho Administration
which the people elected. This bill
will probably DO re-introduced early
in tho new session and pushed for
passage. 1t would guard against
possible Republican succession to
President Cleveland, should any
thing happen to him.
II is not thought that the death OF
tho Vice President can have any dis
turbing effect upon National politics,
although, OF course the majority in
tho Senate will elect Republican
to succeed him. That will naturally
give rise to feeling of uncertainty
for tho reason that the death of Mr..
Cleveland would change the politi-
cal complexion of the Administra-
ton. The effect of Mr.. Hendrick' g
death will be felt in Washington
society. Tho White House will be
closed against festivities for some
time, such as State receptions and
dinners. The Cabinet officers will
also be prevented temporarily from
entertaining.
When tho Senate meets it will
probably be called TO order by its
oldest member. This is Senator
Morrill,, of Vermont. Then the ma
jority will proceed to elect presid-
ing officer, who will be either Logan
Sherman, Hoar, Ingalls,, or Ed
munds. Which will it be?' is a
question much discussed just now.
Thanksgiving day at the Capital
was celebrated in the -honored
way. Department clerks were paid
OF the day before, SO that they could
Irepare for the holiday in festive
way. Ttc wheels of the Govern
mont machinery were stopped
schools were closed, churches were
opencd, and families reunited,
Toasted and made merry. Secretary
Whitney offered to give all the clerks
OF tho Navy Department Thanks
giving turkey, and made arrange
ments to deliver the fowl to every
officer and employe who would avail
himself OF the proposal. Dem.
InC. Conger, of Jackson. Cowlitz
county, lost his house and all its
contents last week by fire, which