The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-12-01
The News in Washington.


The News in Washington.
The first official information received by
the President of the ex-Presidents death was
conveyel in q telegram from Mr.. james =.
Reed. the latter's confidential secretary. Tho
President was affected at the intelligence,
and at once inditei the following telegram
of sympathy to Mrs McElroy, the ex-Presi-
~ "ExEcUTIvE MANSION.
"Accept my heartfelt sympathy in your
personal grief aud the expression OF my sor,
row for the death of one who was my kind
and considerate friend. The people Of the
country will sincerely mourn the loss OF
citizen who served them well in their highest
trust, and on their affection by an exhibit
ton of the best traits of true American char
acter. GROVER CLEFELANp.
The flag en- the White House was placed at
half mast Immediately on receipt OF the
news, and soon the fags on all the public
buildings in the city were, placed at
haIf mast. The work of draping the
white House was begun at once.
All the members of the Cabinet arrived at
about twelve o'clock. Ths death of General
Arthur was the only subject of discussion at
the Cabinet meeting, and it was agreed to
issue all executive order announcing the
death of the ex-PreSdent, and directing the
Government buildings to be draped in mourn
ing for period Of thirty days, and also that
public business be suspended on the day set
apart for the funeral.
The President in the afternoon issued the
following proclamation:
"To the Feople of the United States:
at is my painful duty to announce the
death O; Chester Alan Arthur, lately the
President Of the United States, which oc-
Cured after an illness of long duration at an
early hour this morning, at his residence In
the city of New York. Mr.. Arthur was
called to the chair of Chief Magistra: y OF the
Union by tragedy which cast its shadow
over the entire Government HIS assump-
tion of the grave duties was marked by an
evident and cons cientious sense of his respon-
sibilities and an earnest desire to meet them
in q patriotic and benevolent spirit. With
dignity and ability he sustained the lmpor-
tant duties of his station, and the reputa-
ton of his personal worth, conspicuous
graciousness, and patriotic fidelity VIII
long be cherished by his fellow-country-
men. In token of respect to the memory
of the deceased it is ordered that the Execu-
tive Mansion and the several department.
buildings be draped in mourning fora period
of thirty days, and that on the day OF the
funeral all public business in the depart.
ments be suspended. Tho Secretaries OF
War and Of the Navy will cause orders to be
issued for appropriate military and naval
honors to be rendered on that day.
''Done at the city Of Washington this 18th
day of November, in, the year Of our Lord
and Of the independence Of the United
States Of America the one hundreth and
eleventh. By the President,
"THoMAs F. BAYARD, Secretary of State"
The following order was issued from the
War Department: -,
"In compliance with the instructions of the
President, on the day of the funeral at each
military post the troops and cadets will be
paraded aud this order read to them, after
which all Iabors Of the day will cease.
THE national flag viii be displayed at half
mast. -,
"Atdawn of day thirteen guns will be
fred and afterward at intervals Of Thirty
minutes between the rising and setting OF
the sun a single gun and at the close OF the
day a national salute of thirty-eight guns.
;tThe officers of the army will wear Grape
on the left arm and OH their swords, and the
colors of the Battalion of Engineers, OF the
several regiments and of the United States
Corps of Cadets will be put in mourning for
the period of six months. ~
"fhe date and hour of the funeral will be
communicated to department commanders by
telegraph, and by them to their suOor-
diuats commanders.
"By command of Lieutenaut-General Sher-
idan.
''R. C. DRUM, Adjutant-General."
Pre,ident Cleveland and several Of the
members of the Cabinet announced that they
would attend the funeral The following
Senators were also appointed to attend the
funeral on behalf Of the Senate: John Sher-
man, George F. Edmunds, John A. Logan.
VIM. B. Allison, NJ. G. Butler, James ID.
Cameron, D. w. VOORHEES,, Warner Miller,
George &. Vest, A. P. German, Jo-erh L.
Hawley and James h. Jones'
A gentleman who formerly occupied an
official position very near to Mr.. Arthur
during his OCCUPANCY o. the Executive Man
sion, in commenting upon the news, sold
that he was surprised to note the length of
time the ex-Presdent had borne up under
his fatal atFiction. Although possessed of
strong constitution and magnificent
physique, his habit OF life was such that q
complete wreck of his health was inevitable.
1t had been Mr.. Arthur's practice, said this
gentleman, not only while holding the Pres
idential Office, but for many years prior, to
turn night into day. He never retired be-
fore o'clock in the morning, and, beginning
his work late in the afternoon, continued 1t
through the midnight hours. During the
last six weeks of his residence at the White
House his health was in deplorable condl-
tion, O fact which hs fully realized.