The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1886-02-19
wAsmISGTos LETTER
rrem eut resuIar sorresponds,l..l

sf w ABAilN0AOht uahs AVhAt A0USs
The United States Senator devoted
q day, this week, to obituary elo.
quenee in memory OF the Vice Presi
dent Hendricks. The occasion drew
large crewd to the Capitol. Fci
tho Arst time this session since the
openlng dpy, every seat In every
gallery Of the Chamber was occupied
with the exception OF the small gal.
Ilcry reserved for the Diplomatic
Corps, and Al every door and place Of
approach was gathered group oi
SPECTATORS
On the floor OF the Senate every
Senator who was In the city was In
his seat, an attentive and respectful
listener. settees end chairs were
provided for Members Of the House
and other privileged and distinguish
cd people who were entitled 10 the
floor. Over both HouHes OF Congress
the National colors Aosted at half
mast over the Senate FOR Mr.. lien
bricks, and over the House for Rep
rosentative Rankin, OF Wis, who
had died tho day before.
Both Of the Iud., Senators, Harri-
son and Voorhees,, paid glowing trib-
utes to the dead Statesman, that Of
Senator Voorhees, beIng especially
striking and FREQ fruIn the lrIte forms
Of expression common on such oecas-
ions. Other Republican Senators
besides Harrison, among them Evarts,
Sherman and Spooner testified 10 The
uniform courtesy and integrlly Of Mr.
Hendricks, and above all TO his de-
votIon TO the principles Of his party.
Mr.. Spooner being the new Sena-
Tor from Wis, this funeral oration
was his maiden effort In the Senate.
He said Mr.. Hendricks was heart
and soul Democrat, who believed
thoroughly In bis party and In ifs
principles. HE was no 'lrimet' In
politics" continued he, "and indeed,
think II he might give direction %
our words to-day he would bid US to
say Of him that he was q partisan
Democrat. He rightly thought that
poIiticg should DO Q matter Of conyie-
tIop, and that every man Of firm po-
lItIcal faith owed II to himself and "a
his country TO be PARTISAN 10 The
extent Of laboring earnestly 10 all
honest ways 10 promote the princl'
pies In which he believes.
Senator Voorhees, mentioned that
eloquence In the forum and 10 ths
sacred desk had paid its richest trih
utss to the exailod abilities aud stain
less character of the deceased. The
toIllng bell, the mournful dIrge, th'
solemn minute gun, the mighty mnl
tilude of mourners, had all ATTENDED
the funeral Of Thomas 4. Hendricks
and had borne witness 10 tho deeI
love and grief with which he VA
lowered TO bis last resting place. Al
the honors due t. the dead had beer
paid by the chief Magistrate Of iht
Government, by the authority o
States and by the unrestralned afiec
ton OF the people. ain the Senate
however," said he, "we may not be
silent, even though The cup Of honel
be overlooking. Here, on this bril-.
liautiy lighted stage. he fulfilled bis
last official engagement and closed
his commanding public career
Vest, Ransom, Hampton and sauls.
bury were the other Democratic
Senaters who paid tributes to Mr.
Hendricks. On Tuesday OF next
week tho House 0: Representatives
will devote Itself 10 similar eulogies
In his memory.
The House adjourned Immediately
upon the formal announcement oI
Representative Rankin's death. This
was, Of course. tie proper thing ic
do In the absence Of any lule requIr.
Ing different &etion. IL could mol
have made an invidious distinction.
But the country is Indignant that
Congress should waste time under
every possible pretext, and 1t is high
time for the adoption Of some plan
whereby respect may be shown fol
the memosies of deceased Congress.
men without interEnpting public
business. Announcements Of deaths,
should be made at the close Of daily
session, and either Sunday or even.
Ing sessions should be held for enlo,
giles. A reform OF this kind has beef
presented In the House, and vii
come up soon for discussion.
Representative Rankin came L
Washington In a dying condition
He had an intense desire TO take hil
seat In Congress again and be sworr
In with the rest of the members
saying he must accomplish this, ifh.
died the noxt minute. On the open
ling day Of the session, by o super
natural effort Of the will, he dressed
ard s,onk La Aha HaxaiAol 4..nI- Al.