The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-02-06
SERVICES FOR THE DEAD.
Funeral Of Mrs. and Miss Tracy in
the White House.

WASHINGTON, Febru ary 5.-The beautiful
and historic East room of the Executive
Mansion, the scene of so many varied spec
tacles of brilliant ceremony or social gaiety,
was today devoted to the sadly contrasted
and solemnly .repressive purpose of fu-
neral. Very seldom has any similar scene
been witnessed at the White House and
never since 1866, when the remains of Lin
coin reposed amid the same surroundings.
The services over the remains of the wife
and daughter of Secretary of the Navy Tracy
were appointed for II o'clock. but long be-
fore that hour the East room was crowded
with people desirous of paying their last
tribute to their departed friends. 1t was a
most distinguished gathering, and included
nearly everybody of prominence in Wash
ington.
The caskets containing the dead were
placed side by side under the central chande-
ller and directly opposite the main corridor.
They were distinguishable only by the
greater size of the one containing the body
of Mrs. Tracy. A large sago palm with
gracefully spreading branches was placed
between them at the foot. The sombre
drapings of the caskets were almost en-
tirely concealed by the beautiful de-
signs of emblematic flowers, white roses, ca
Garlands and wreaths were also banked
against the sides of each casket.
The seats were arranged on three sides of
a square, the open space being used for the
entrance of the mourners and the presiden-
tial party. who were assigned to seats 'front.'
ing the caskets. The Vice President and
Mrs. Morton. who were among the earliest
arrivals. were seated opposite. Near by
were seated the British Minister and family,
the German Minister, Chinese and Corean
members Of the diplomatic corps Army
and navy officers were present in great num-
bers, and nearly all were in full uniform.
The pail bearers were the same as an
nounced yesterday. AS soon as the mourn
ers were seated the choir of st. Johns Epis-
copal church. consisting of 16 white surpliced
boys and four men entered the main corridor
from the further end and as they passed
along its length with slow and measured step
sang the hymn, Lead kindly light"
Rev. DR.. George William Douglas, rector
of st. Johns Protestant Episcopal church,
Immediately began the Episcopal burial SER
vice, and at its conclusion the President with
| Secretary Tracy on his arm first passed out
| OF the room. and next to them came Mr.
| Frank Tracy, the son, who was so overcome
that he had to be supported by two of the
| ushers.
Following the procession came the choir
| singing the recessional hymn. The bodies
| were removed to the hearses and the funera
procession was formed, the cortege moving
| slowly to Rock Creek cemetery, just beyond
| the Soldiers Hume, where the bodies wert
| placed in receiving vault to await Secre
| tary Tracy's determination in regard to theil
| permanent resting place.
The Blair Bill Before the Senate.
| WASHINGTON, February 5.-Among thu
| bills reported in the Senate today from com
mittees and placed on the calendar was on
| to regulate commerce carried on by tele
| graph.
The bill to aid the establishment and tenn
porary support of common schools was tax
| en- up as unfinished business. Mr.. Blai
| proceeded to address theSenate in its advoca
| cy. He said there were within the Unite
States 6,0O0, 900 children for schools for whom
no accommodation whatever was provide
In existing school structures. 1t would re
cure 900 school buildings to supply tina
accommodation. Ii required that the schoo
buildings should cost an average of $500, tht
total cost would be $36.000,00O. Where thai
money was to come from he did not know
Three times he said like bill had passe
the Senate by great majoritles l
was not a question between parties. 1t wa
simply question between this grea'
magnificent, all-powerful nation, and 1T
own children. No matter what might be IL
the Con- >titution and laws If there was no
Intelligence In the sovereignty OF the cOun
try, the people might as well live under des
potism. or worse. Mr.. Blair asserted tn
Dill was endorsed by the great mass of in
telligepce of the United States
Mr.. Blair temporarily yielded the floor
Mr.. Sherman, who. from the committee o.
foreign relations, reported joint resolutio
which was placed on the calendar, congratu
lating the people of the United States O
Brazil for their adoption of a republican
form OF government. The resolution is
substitute for that of Mr.. Morgan's. intro
duced the 18th of December
Mr.. Blair resumed his argument in suppor
of the education bill, and claimed the con
stitutionality of the bill was beyond cues
tion, He yielded to a motion to go into o.