New-York tribune., 1891-01-31
FOR THE FUN ERA
LEY IELEGRAPn TO The TRIBUNE.l


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
Washinrton Jan 30-The shock Of Secretary
WINDOWS sudden death in New-iork last hlght
was felt here to-day in its fullest force. bringing
TO a standstill the work Of almost all the Dranches
of the Government and casting gloom over
official and social lite only less profound ana far-
reaching than that in which the Capital was
plunged year ago by the tragedy at secretary
Tracy's house. Both branches of Congress ad-
ourned at once this morning, after the formal
announcement of the sad news; the Treasury De-
partment was closed and draped in mourning;
flags few at haf-mast on all the public buildings
and in the world Of society even the most private
entertainments for this and the coming week
were by common consent postponed or abandoned
Mr.. WINDOWS body, attended by Secretary
Tracy AttOrney-General Miller and committee
representing the New-York Board of Trade and
Transportation, arrived here this evening about
o'clock and the funeral party was met at the
baltimore and Ohio station by the President and
Vice President, Mrs. Blaine, Secretary Blame
Secretary Proctor, the Postmaster-General. Secre-
tary Rusk, Secretary Noble. General Schoield.
the Treasury officials in a body, large number OF
Senators and Representatives and various
functionaries, all joining in the general
grief at the loss of so distinguished and valuable
a public servant, while mary felt a personal sor-
row at the removal of so amable and genuine a
friend. From the station tie body was taken To
the home of the dead man, in Massachusetts-ave,
where it will remain until Monday next, when
the funeral is expected TO be held. The Presl-
dent and all of his Official family followed the
body into the house and waited in the back par
lor while the undertaken and his assistants placed
the body in the front parlor and exposed to view
the Secretary's familiar features. Mrs Blaine
remained with the President, and was the only
lady present when the latter and all the members
of his Cabinet and the others who had accompanied
the body from the station were ushered into the
room and looked upon the face of their distin-
guishcG associate The scene a sad one anI
brought tears to the eyes of several of the dis
tin.uished party. Nothing was said however,
and the party passed ont of the house as quickly
rs they had entered it. When the room was
cleared the widow and her daughters visited it
in private and remained there for about five min
utes. They were nearly distracted with grief,
bat bore Themselves with unlooI,cd-tor comi
posure While Mrs Window was in the room the
British Minister called at the house and left
messag gc of coincidence for the family.
PLANS FOR HE FUNERAL.
Entirely definite arrangements for tie funeral
could not he made to-day, owing 10 the failure TO
reach by telegraph the Secretary's only son. Will
lam H. Window who has been travelling in the
south for his health. and whose exact address
not known.
4 telegram was received this afternoon from
the postmaster at Baton Rouge, La. saying
that Mr.. Window, the Secretary's son. had been
Informed of his fathers death and would be at
home Sunday morning.
1t is altogether likely that private funeral
services will be held at the house on
Monday morning, followed by public eXer-
cses in the Church of the Covenant. of which
Mr. Window was for many years member. The
burial, unless there is decided change in the
family plans. will be in the Rock Creek Gene
terry in Georgetown. a lot having been selected
there to-day by the President and the Postmaster
General The pall-bcarerS have not yet been
selected.
THE PRESIDENT FIRST TO HEAR OF HIS DEATH.
Coming as a strange and startling surprise, Mr..
WINDOWS death could not but make a profound
impression in the political circles here in which
lie has been known SO long and favorably.
But beneath the feeling of shock and surprise
is one of deep and genuine grief Few men IN
public life have made more firm and lasting
friendships than Mr. Window, or have retained
through longer career the esteem and affection
of 50 large circle of acquaintanccs The dead
Secretary was known here, as elsewhere, rs an
airahlc Courteous and kindly man, and no one who
came I'm contact with him could fail 10 appreciate
his many amiablc and endcarng traits OF
character Ills death, consequently, viii he
mourned with peculiarly personal
sense Of loss. both in official circles and ont
of them. Apart f!on.the tragic touch about his
end. which of itse.f would excite the widest pub.
lie sympathy and the most general CONFIDENCE
rs in the case Of Secretary Tracy's bereaveLe {
last winter. some OF the s1ddcst burdens OF the
traqedy of last night have fallen OF the shoulders
of the President II TO him that tie frs
message from Ncw-Nork sent, and to him
was conGdcd tie delicate and trying task of
hrcakioc the news to tie dead mans wife and
douchtcrs His return last night tD Nr. Wana-
makers house on this crrand, the sad drive
to Mrs, WINDOWS house and the sub
.onucnt scenes there, involved a strain of
feeling which fcw men care 10 fa'c'
but to which the President rose with admlIape
fortitude. Nothing could have been more genuine
or finer than the practical sympathy OF his ofhces
in breaking the information of the Secretary
death to the Window family. and in arranging
for TIE performance Of the manifold duties which
tbc situation cntailcd. The President has had
the constant assistancc Of the members OF thc
Cabinet in all the details Of his labors here ani
tho csnccial aid of Postmastcr-General
who, in the absence of Mr.
Windom's only son, has volunteered to take
charge Of the funeral. That ceremony Will
he n simple one Of course, nut however uh- |
assuming It may be- it can hardly fail of im- |
,ressivrucss for what it to the public life |
If the country and to the widespread constituency
who feel that by the tragedy of last evening the
Administration, and through it the Nation, has
ost an eminent and trusted counsellor ana a true
friend
The death of Cabinet officer during his term OF
,eice has been rare in the history of this country
Mr.. Webster and Mr.. Upshur died while hillnS
the office of Secretary OF State; Mr. holihs "hlie
,.cretorv of War Mr. Brown and Mr.. Howe while