Beverly banner. [volume] (Beverly, N.J.) 1877-1964, 1890-01-25
(From our regular Lorrespondent.)
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. c., Jan. 20, 1890

The funeeal of Walker Blaine, ON
Saturday, attracted the largest and
most distinguished crowd of spectators
that has assembled at any funeral in
this city for several years. Special
religious services were held at the re-
sidence, on Lafayette Place, at 1920
o'clock, at which were present, in adj
dition to intimate friends, and the
Maine delegation in Congress, the
President and Mrs. Harrison and the
of the Cabinet. Service of
prayer was conducted by Rev. DIR.
Hamlin, pastor of the Church of the
Covenant (Presbyterian), where the
main services were held.
Before the cortege reached the
church there was not even standing
room for those ruled out by the ropes
Of smilax from the pews reserved for
invited spectators. Completely filling
the north side of the audience room
were Senators, Representatives and
other public men. 1t was a striking
group, and included all the prominent
men of both Houses and Of both par
ties in each. The Senate was not in
session, and the House had postponed
meeting until l o'clock, in order that
those who desired might attend the
church services. In the centre of the
church were seated the members of the
Diplomatic Corps, the International
American Conference, and the Vene-
zuelian Claims Commission as inn
passive and grave of exterior as so
many owls. The members of the
Blaine household occupied seats in
front of the pulpit, on the right, while
ON the left were seated the President,
Mrs. Harrison, the Vice President and
theVCabinet and their wives, and the
pail bearers.
The pipes Of the great organ were
buried by tall palms and potted flow
ers, as also was the pulpit When the
def fingers of Walter Damrosch swept
over the keys and there burst forth the
sobbing and moaning of the death
bereft, succeeded by the strong, har-
monious and familiar breathings of
hope of "Abide with Me" a hush fell
upon the audience and tears stood on
many cheeks. All noise of strife had
ceased beside the dead. The silence
was broken by the sobs of Secretary
Blaine, as his eyes, wandering from the
organ, fell upon the black casket that
not all the heaping up of roses and
lilies and violets should change or sof-
ten to him.
The services at the church concluded
with the Lords Prayer and the bene-
diction. In the prayer the great ma
jority Of those present joined audibly.
AT the cemetery the ceremony was
brief. The Secretary and Mrs. Blaine
was at DR.. Hamlin' side and steadfastly
watched the proceedings until the
words, dust to DUST" impelled them
to turn aside rather than witness the
last scene Of all.
To everyone who knows Mr.. Blaine's
family, it has always been apparent
that the fathers favorite of all was
Walker Blaine. And by everyone
brought in contact with them, Walker
Blaine was the one son liked. Though
his wonderful progress in public life
for only thirty-fve years of age was
due largely to his fathers influence, it
is probable that under any circum-
stances, Walker Blaine would have at
tanned high position in life. He had
legal mind, combined with courage,
great patience and untiring industry.
His politeness was proverbial, and
owing to the many changes of the past
decade in department life, that excel
lent quality is growing unfortunately
rare. Callers at the State department
with grievances would leave Walker
Blaine with a sense of being we'll treat
ed, even if not relieved. People who
came after information received it if
possible. To newspaper men he was
uniformly courteous.
1t is probable that the question of
the Governments liability in the Sill
colt defalcation will be brought before
a legal tribunal. Mr.. Paynter, of
Kentucky, has instructed his counsel,
Ex-Congressman Phil Thompson, to
bring suit against the government for
$416, the amount of Mr.. Paynter's
November salary, alleged to be due
him from the United States as payment
for services Mr.. Paynter protests
against the bill to reimburse himself,
but he believes that he is entitled to
his salary, and he desires an opinion
from some legally authorized tribunal |
The case will go before the Court Of
Claims, and the result will be watched
as test case by other Congressman.
1t will take, however, some time for
the case to come up. In the mean
time the Congressman who voted |
against appropriating the money to
reimburse them, do not know whether
to congratulate themselves or not.
The Pension Office is falling behind
in its work, owing to lack Of clerical
force, and Commissioner Raum's pas
sion for trying experiments. The
Bureau is flooded with the letters of |
inquiry of Congressman as to the status
Of individual claims. This calling up
of claims by Congressman does not
expedite the individual claims, and of
course delays, the claims as a whole,
as it involves so much additional labor.
The inquiries of attorneys, generally
based upon reasonable grounds, remain
unanswered by the thousands, in some
cases having been made over two years
ago. If Congress would meet the
question squarely and double the force
Of the Pension Bureau, it would do
more for the veterans than all the