Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-30
gan the work Of draping the Treasury Depart
ment in heavv hlacE

gan the work Of draping the Treasury Depart
ment in heavy black
The department was closed, and the long
halls and corridors had an unusual and funereal
silence about them. On all sides expression
Of sorrow and regret were heard, for as one of
the officials of the department said: mo one
ever had business relations with Secretary
WINDOW but he respected him and no one
ever came to know him but he loved him. He
was lovable man and popular with all classes,
nigh and low. His financial skill and ability
can never be questioned. He was one of the
very ablest heads this department has ever
known, and what Is more he was q noble and .
good man."
CLOSING THE DEPARTMENT.
There was some little question this morning
standing the importance Of the occasion, for
the treasury is first of all an immense bust
ness institution and to close il means
more than to close any of the other
departments. However. after an interview with
the President this morning Acting Secretary
Spaulding issued the following order:
AS mark of respect to the memory Of the
late Hon. William Window, late Secretary Of
the Treasury, this department. will be closed
today.
80. L. SPAuLDNa, Acting Secretary"
II was decided that all the heads of bureaus
and chiefs of divisions should meet at 3;i5 this
afternoon to go in body to meet the funeral
train upon its arrival. A committee consisting
OF Gen. Nettleton, Gen. Spaulding, Judge
Flsher, Controllers Lacey and Gilkinson. Judge
Matthews and Gen. Dumont will meet at noon
tomorrow In Gen. Spau1ding's room to formu-
late suitable resolutions of sorrow and respect
HIS TEMPORARY SUCCESSOR.
Assistant Secretary Nettleton of the treasury,
who has been on a visit to Oberlin, Ohio, left
there yesterday and is expected to arrive in
washington this afternoon. As he is the senior
assistant secretary in point of service he will
probably be designated to act as secretary for
the period Of ten days, the limit for which such
designation may be made.
No business was transacted at the White
House today. The President, who was visibly
affected by the sad occurrence, denied himself
to all callers. A little after noon, in company
with Mrs. Dimmick. he left the Executive
Mansion in his closed carriage and drove out
household.
At the other departments there was little
doing today and the talk of all was devoted to
the death OF the Secretary of the Treasury
Mr. window was eminently popular and es-
teemed among his fellow cabinet members and
all united in their praise of the worth and
ability Of the dead man All the secretaries
who were in the city were among the callers at
the house today. In each of the departments
business was practically suspended.
HIS HEART TROUBLE.
MIR. Window had realized for some time past
that he had some heart trouble and all his
friends insisted again and again that he was
working too hard and that he must let up or
there would be a break down.
He often promised to take their advice. but
the time never came and his working DAYS
were as rule prolonged far into the night.
The late financial troubles added materially TO
his labors and responsibilities and Of late his
friends had noticed that he seemed overworked
He looked like tired man. Every afternoon at
m he saksvl wal Erraey ,nla
the Treasury Department up to his handsome
residence, 1422 Massachusetts, avenue. His
step was not as brisk and vigorous as it should
have been. He was not ILL., however, and his
condition nor probably ever though. it serious
and, as a result, the news of his sudden taking
off was all the more a shock.
Occasionally Of late Mr.. Window had COM
planned Of feeling Of oppression in his chest
and In the region OF his heart, but beyond that
1t is not known that he ever felt unweu or
worried about the state of his health
Some time ago Mr.. Braggett, who has
been friend of the family for
the past thirty years, asked the Secretary
to fx upon some hour Of the day when he
would really stop work for the time instead of
keeping at it until late at night. Mr.. Window
promised to do SO as soon as he could do it and
said that he intended to begin again the
practice Of taking buggy rides every afternoon
for the sake of exercise and fresh air, but he
The President. the Postmaster General and
Mrs. Dimmick drove out to Rock Creek GENE.
terry this afternoon for the purpose Of selecting
q burial lot.
THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.
The following executive order was issued this
afternoon:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON. January 80, 1891
Sir: The Honorable William Window, Secre-
tary Of the Treasury of the United States. died
suddenly last night in the city of New York at
the hour of eleven minutes past ten o'clock. in
the sixty-fourth year of his age.
Thus has passed away man Of pure life an
official Of stainless integrity, distinguished by
long and eminent service in both branches Of
Congress and by being twice called to admin
lister the national fuances.
His death has caused deep regret throughout
the country, while to the President and those
associated with him in the administration of
the government it comes as q personal sorrow
The President directs that all the departments
of the executive branch of the government and
the officers subordinate thereto, shall manifest
due respect to the memory Of this eminent citi-
zen In manner consonant with the dignity of
the office which he has honored by his devotion
to public duty.
The President further directs that the Treas
ury Department, in all its branches in this cap
ital, be draped in mourning for the period of
thirty days, that on the day of the funeral the
several executive departments shall be closed
and that on all public buildings throughout the
United States the national dag shall be dis
played at half mast.
Very respectfully,
JAMES G. BLAINE
It is expected that an order will issue from
the White House tomorrow cancelling all Off
cial receptions and entertainments for the re-
mainder of the season.
The supervising inspectors Of steamboats,.
who have been in session this week. adjourned
today out Of respect tor the late Secretary of
the Treasury under whom they served and
will go to meet the funeral train in body this
afternoon.
TO TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION.
Senator Davis has issued a call for meeting
Of the Minnesota delegation in Congress to-
morrow morning at 10 O'Clock to take appro-
pirate action with reference to the death of
Secretary Window. The meeting will be held
In the room Of the Senate committee ON PEN
sions.
Postmaster General Wanamaker received
this morning the following dispatch from Mr.
A. j. Drexel of Philadelphia: "Piease convey to
the family of Secretary Window my heartfelt
sympathy in the great loss they have sus-
tanned"
MIR. WINDOW AND THE NKwsPAPER MEN,
Secretary Windows death viii be specially
deplored by the newspaper men. He was ac-
cessibie to them at all times and seemed to take
pleasure in assisting in their work He be-
heved that the public had a right to
know what the executive departments
were doing, and be never declined reason-
able krequest for information concerning
the business Of the Treasury Department.
Ihe newspaper men, therefore, naturally re-