Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1886-02-12
Washington Letter.

from "ur Regular Correspondent.
W,suI>GroS, in 90, 1856.
The United States Senate devoted
day. this week, to obituary elo-
qucnce ia memory of the late Vice
Presiden, lIesdrcks. The occasion
drew a large crowd to the Capitol
For the first time this session since
the opening day, every seat in every
gallery of the Chamber was oc-
cupiod with the exception of the
small gallery reserved for the Diplo-
matte Corps. and at every door and
place Of approach was gathered a
group Of spectators.
On the floor Of the Senate every
Senator who was in the city was in
h,- seat. m attentive and respectful
listener. Settees and chairs were
provided for Members OF the House
and other privileged and distin-
guishod people who were entitled to
The floor. over both Houses of
Congress the National colors hoated
at half mast; over the Senate for
Mr. Hendricks, and over the House
for Representative Rankin, of Wis. :,
who had died tho day before.
Bo'h of the Indiana Senators,
HARRISON and Voorhees, paid glowing
tributes TO tho dead statesman, that
Of Senator Voorhees, being especially
striking and free from the trite forms
of expression common on such oc-
casions. Other Republican Sena-
tors besides Harrison. among them
Evarts. Sherman and Spooner testi-
fed To the uniform courtesy and in.
tegrity of Mr.. Hendricks, and above
all 10 his devotion TO the principles
Of his party.
MIR. Spooner being the new Sena-
tor from Wisconsin, this funeral
Grafton was his maiden effort in the
Senate. He said Mr.. Hendrick was
heart and soul Democrat, who be-
lievcd thoroughly in his patty and
In it's principles. He was no
trimmer in politics" continued he,
aud indeed, / think if he might
give direction to our words to-day
he would bid US to say of him that
ho. was n partisan Democrat. He
rightly thought that politics should
bo matter OF conviction, and that
every man of firm political faith
owed il to himself and to his coun-
try to be a partisan to the extent Of
laboring earnestly in all honest ways
10 promote the principles in which
he believes"
Senator Voorhees, mentioned that
eloquence in the forum and in the
sacred desk had paid its richest
tributes 10 the exalted abilities and
stainless character Of the deceased.
The tolling bell, the mournfel dirge,
tho solemn minute gun, the mighty
multitude Of mourners, had all at
tended the funeral OF Thomas A.
Hendricks, and had borne witness
to tho deep love and grief with
which he was lowered to his last
resting place. All the honors due
to the dead had been paid by the
Chief Magistrate Of the Government,
by tho authority OF States and by
the unrcstrained affection of the
people. "In the Senate however,"
said he. I've may not be silent,
even though the cup Of honor to his
memory be overfowing. Here, on
this brilliantly lighted stage. he full
filed his last official engagement,
and closed his commanding public
career" Vest, Ransom, Hampton
and Saulsbury were the other Demo
cratic Senators who paid tributes to
Mr.. Hendricks. On Tuesday of
next week tho House of Represen-
tatives will devote itself to similar
eulogies in his memory.
The House adjourned Immediate
ly upon the formal announcement
OF Representative Rankins' death.
This was. Of course. the proper
thing TO do in the absence of any
rule requiring different action. 1t
could not have made an invidious
distinction. But the country is in
dignant that Congress should waste
time under every possible pretext,
and il is high time for the adoption
OF some plan whereby respect may
DO shown for tho memories of de-
ceased Congressman without inter-
rupting public business. Announce
ments OF deaths should be made at
tho close OF daily session, and
either Sunday or evening sessions
should bo held for eulogies. A re-
form Of this kind has been presented
in the House, and will come up soon
for discussion.
Represe ntative Rankin came to
Washington IN dying condition.
He had an intense desire to take his
seat in Congress again and be sworn
in with the rest OF the members, say