The Indianapolis journal., 1891-02-22

Public Buildings Swathed I'm Grape for Many
Months-Customs at the Capital.

Public Buildings swathed I'm Grape for Many
Months-Customsa at the Capital.
Special 20 the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-Crape has been
the prevailing emblem in this administra-
tion- Probably never in the history OF the
country have there been so many deaths
directly associated with the chief execu-
tive family of the Nation as under Presi-
dent Harrison. 1t has been months since
the executive departments were free from
the somber symbol of death. Either the
great columns in front of the executive de-
parfments. some side entrance to one of the
federal places OF business or some chair IN
q public or private room in an executive de-
partment has been draped in token of the
visitation of death.
When the head of department. dies it 10
partment for the day, and hon the day of
the funeral there is q complete suspension
of business, in not only that department.
but in all others. The great columns in
front of the building where death has come
are heavily draped with great folds of black
cloth. The private entrance of the de-
ceased, where he was wont to find ingress
and egress In the morning and when his
days work was done, 10 given q massive
drapery. and the entrance to his private
and public rooms aud the chair and desk
he occupied are heavily draped in mourn
ing. The drapery upon the outside of the
building is retained in its place for thirty
days, during which the flag upon the de-
upon all public buildings. including the
White House. are ct half-mast for period
of thirty days.
When q chief of bureau lies. the emblems
of mourning are as profuse in q small way.
Instead of spreading them over the entire
building they are given EXHIBIT at the room
where the late occupant performed bis off,
cial duties. Sometimes W hen an old watch
man or janitor dies the employees under
him give evidence of their sorrow by drap-
ing the little cnddyway or little private Of
fee he occupied.
In Washington the Southern custom of
placing heavy fold of Grape midway upon
the left sleeve of tbc outer garment is not
observed, even In respect TO the death of
the nearest relative. Symbols of mourn
ing are never worn upon the hats of gen.
tlemen or the costumes of ladies In respect
TO the death of an official. These are only
worn for kinsman.
Had President Harrison been compelled
TO don Grape upon his person in memory of
the death of those who were officially assO-
ciated with him. he would have been with
out funeral emblem scarcely a month since
the time no entered the White House. First
came the deaths within his own family, then
those within the families of Secretaries
Blaine and Tracy, and in rapid succession
the deaths of ex-Cabinet officers. ex-gen-
erals of the army. ex-admirals of the navy.
anu then the death or secretary W1ndom.
The compassion shown by the President
for those who have fallen about him has
endeared him 90 every one in Washington.
He has given evidence of store of hu-
manity. and eompsnionship. and warm per-
sonal esteem for those associated with him,
which was probably never shown by one
OF his predecessors. and it is doubtful If
any one has been able TO withstand with
such fortitude the griefs which have been
thrust upon him. Washington will con-
tinue to be in deep mourning, and heavy
folds OF Grape will whisk in the Potomac
breezes from the columns of the depart
ments for many weeks yet; and the ques-
ticu 10 upon every tongue, who knows
how soon death will come again. or who it
will visrff' p s. III.