The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-12-03
From our Regular Correspondent

From our Regular Correspon dent.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 81, 1885.
The Capotal, White House, and
Executive Department are draped in
mourning again. and the national flag
upon all the Government buildings
floats at half mast.
When the President was informed
10y telephone of the deah of Vice.
President Hendricks, he was going
down to dinner. He seemed greatly
shocked. aud showed a hesitancy in
believing the sad news. Then he
sent for Col. Lamont, and in short
time the Cabinet officers were hasten
ing to the White House with serious
and anxious faces, summoned by
Mr.. Cleveland.
The Cabinet remained 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 emblems
of mourning as soon as possible. The
Cabinet took action in regard to the
funeral, and decided to attend it in a
body, with the President.
Mr.. Cleveland would have no
successor If he should die before the
date OF the meeting of Congress.
Under the constitutional provision
two lives interpose between those of
the President and Vice-President,
and vacancy. The statute provides:
In case of removal, death, resignation
or inability of both the President and
Vice-President, then the President
of the Senate, or If there is none, the
Speaker of the House shall act as
President until the disability Is
removed or a President elected.
At present there is no President of
the Senate and no speaker of the
House, and those officers cannot be
elected until the Congress meets.
Should vacancy occur in the mean
time the. Government would be
carried on by the Cabinet until a
President OF the senate or Speaker is
elected, as it was during President
Garfield's inability.
Congress has done nothing to avoid
such a.situation as has now arisen.
A bill providing for a different
succession to the presidency was
introduced last winter. 1t provided.
when the officers of the President and
Vice-President were both made
vacant by death, that the success
sion should pass first to the Secretary
of the State, and then to the other
Cabinet officers in the line Of their
rank. Such a measure would keep
the power with the administration
which the people elected. This bill
will probably be re.introduced early
in the new session and pushed fol-
passage. 1t would guard against
possible Republican succession to
President Cleveland, should anything
happen to him.
1t is not thought that the death OF
| the Vice-President can have any
disturbing effect upon National
politics, although of course the
majority in the Senate will elect a
Republican to succeed him. That
will naturally give rise to a feeling
of uncertainty for the reason that the
death Of Mr.. Cleveland would change
the political complexion of the
Administration.
The effect of Mr.. Hendricks
death will be felt in Washington
society. The White House will be
closed against festivities for some
time, such as State receptions and
dinners. The Cabinet officers viii
also be prevented temporarily from
entertaining.
When the Senate meets it will
probably be called to order by it,
oldest member. This is Senator
Morril of Vermont. Then tn,
majority will proceed to elect presi
ding officer, who will be either Logan
Sherman, Hoar, ingalls,, or Edmunds
(which will it be?' is a question
much discussed just now.
Thanksgiving day at the Capito
| was celebrated in the time honoret
way. Department clerks were paid
off the day before, so that they coult
prepare for the holiday in festiv,
way. The wheels of the Govern
ment machinery were stopped
schools were closed. churches wer'
opened, and families reunited, Toasted
and made merry.
Secretary Whitney offered to Civ
all the clerks Of the Navy Department
a Thanksgiving turkey. and mad'
arrangements to deliver the fowl t,
every officer and employe who would
avail himself Of the proposal.