The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-12-03


WARRINGTON, Nov. %, 'S5.--The
capitol, white house, and executive de-
partment are draped in mourning again,
and the national flag upon all the gov
eminent buildings floats at half mast.
When the president was informed by
telephone OF the death of Vice President
Hendricks, he was going down to din
ner. He seemed greatly shocked and
showed a hesitancy in believing the
sad news. Then he sent for Col. La
mont, and in a short time the cabinet
officers were fastening 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 commission
er 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 &C
ton IN regard to the funeral, and de-
cided to attend it in a body, with the
president.
Mr.. Cleveland would have no success
sor if he should die before the date Of
the meeting of congress. Under the
constitutional provision two lives in
terpose between those OF the president
and vice-president and vacancy. The
l.
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 president elected.
At present there is no,president ofthe
senate and no speaker of the house, and
those officers cannot be elected until
! congress meets. Should vacancy oc-
cur in the meantime the government
would be carried on by the cabinet I'M
| til president of the senate or speaker
is elected, as it was during President
GaIfield's inability.
| Congress has done nothing to avoid
such situation as has now arisen. A
bill providing for q different eucces-
sion to the presidency was introduced
last winter. 1t provided, when the Of
| fees of the president and vice-president
were both made vacant by death, that
the succession should pass first to the
secretary of 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 peo-
pie elected. This bill will probably be
re-introdnce early In the new session
| aud pushed for passage. It would
|
ceSSion 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 feel
ing OF uncertainty for the reason that
the death of Mr.. Cleveland would
change the political com plexion 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 will also be prevented tempo
rarily from entertaining.
When the senate meets it will proba-
bly, be called to order by its Oldest
members. Then the majority will pro-
coed to elect a presiding 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 capitol was
celebrated in the time-hopored way.
Department clerks were paid off the
day before, so that they could prepare
for the holiday in festive way. The
wheels of the government machinery
were stopped, schools were closed,
churches were opened, and families re-
united, toasted, and made merry.
Secretary Whitney offered to give
all the clerks OF the navy department a
thanksgiving turkey, and made ar
rangements to deliver the fowl to
every officer and employee who would
avail himself OF the proposal.