Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-22

VA NhN lll VI WHICH was pam HnhNi paw
bearing the following inscription Pres.
ton y Plumb. Born October ~, 1887. Died
December 90 1871" During the nj ight She
only watchers at the residence OF the de-
ceased, on Fourteenth street, was detail
Of messengers from the Capitol and hia
private secretary. This morning there
were few callers at the house. mostly Sen
ate employees, who greatly admired Sena-
tor Plumb in life for his many charitable
efforts In their behalf and neld hismemory
in the deepest reverence. Among the call
ers were CAPTAIN j. q. Lindsay, OF kaneas,
who commanded company in Senator
Plumb's regiment during the war and was
hrs warm personal friend.
FROM TBK HOUSE TO THE CAPITOL.
At 10 o'clock the casket was borne from
the house to hearse by e,ght of the Capi-
tol police under the direction Of Assistant
Sergeanf-at-Arms Merritt. and Immediate
ly small funeral c0rtele, consisting Of the
bearse. drawn by two coal-black horses
caparisoned with heavy robes of black
netting, n carriage. in which rode Mr.. Mer-
ritt aud the private secretary, and a few
admirers of the late Senator, started to-
wards the Capitol. There were no floral
decorations az the house, and save a small
wreath Of white immortelles on the top Of
the casket. sent by the Chief Clerk of the
treasury bBIdItultuJ' lutIo Nd9 upJuIhs
20 relieve the sombre blackness Ct
the casket which contained all that
remained Of the late distinguished
Kansas Senator. The small procession
moved slowly down Fourteenth street 20
Pennsylvania avenue ana wended lis way
up through the Capitol grounds TO the
northeast front of the Capitol, whore the
casket was removed from the hearse and
carried up the whito marble steps Of the
Senate wing.
IN THE MARBLE ROOM.
At the entrance TO the building the TO.
mains were met by Sergeant-at-Arms Val
entine, who escorted them through tie
lower corridors OF the building aud up
stairs to the Marble Room, in rear Of the
Senate chamber and only few feet from
the Vice-President's chair. There they
we're placed on black catafalque in the
centre of the room, and all persons were
requested TO retire.
Soon after the casket had been deposited
in the Marble Room large number fper-
sons gathered around the door at the en-
trance anxious to take last look st the
features of the dead, but in view of the
condition of the body 1T was deemed best
not to expose them TO view.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
When the Senate met at noon the cham
Der was partly arranged for the funeral
obsequles. The desk and chair OF the de-
ceased Senator were heavily draped and
tine galleries were crowded with specta-
tors, except the diplomatic and Vlce-Presl-
dents galleries, winch were reserved. In
the opening prayer Rev. J. q. Butler
Chaplain, referred in a feeling manner 10
the death OF Senator Plumb. On motion
of Mr.. Anderson, the reading of the Jour.
nal was dispensed with, and Mr.. Pehel
rose TO make formal announcement OF
Mr. Plumb's death and TO offer the usual
resolutions.
Mr.. PEFFER's REMARKS.
He said: Mr.. President, esteem N.Y.
self peculiarly unfortunate IN that before
have been a member Of this body long
enough TO have become familiar with even
the dimensions OF the chamber IN which
we sit am called upon to announce the
death of my distinguished colleague, upon
whose wonderful resources | had expected
largely to rely. Preston b. Plumb. Sena-
tor from Kansas, died in this city yester-
day. at ten minutes before II O'clock.
This is not the time nor the occasion to
speak at length of the life of the absent
Senator. The dark drapery about the seat
he 30 long occupied fOrcibly reminds hls
fellow-members that they have lost one OF
their most actlve and industrious workers.
His experience, his practical way Of dong
things, his sagacity and his great powers
of endurance, his cOnstancy and faithful
ness to duty. and his alertness in action,
made HIM a conspicuous figure among the
strong men of the nation. Bu: there are
others who feel this bereavement more
keenly than we-upon whom the blow has
fallen with crushing weight.
THE STRICKEN HOME.
= xvrou
known as the world knows him not-a
place where hearts are laCerated and bleed
ing, where q loving family will be glad
even in their grief 10 receive at our hands
what is left of a fond husband and father,
in whose life theirs were closely bound.
To them there are at least two sources of
consolation-one that he fell while on duty
at his post in the service OF his country /;
the other that there IS q fountain OF
strength infinite III power and duration
from which we all may draw III time OF
need.
T" At the proper time / will ask the
Senate TO name a time when we may pay
tribute 10 our deceased brother in an APP
propriate manner; and now, Mr.. President,
offer the following resolution:
" RfSOlpfd, That the sudden death OF the
Hon. Preston b. Plumb causes profound
sorrow and deep regret To his associates in
the Senate.
" "Rcsoired. That committee of five sena-
tors be appointed by the Nlce-PreSldent to
take order with q committee OF the House
Of Representatives for experimenting the
funeral of the late Senator Plumb, and. as
q mark Of respect for his memory, that hIs
body be removed from the Capitol to the
State of Kansas in charge OF the Sergeant
alarms and attended by said committee,
which shall have full power to carry this
resolution into effect
" Res0lped. That the Senate will at 1:3C
today attend in its chamber the exercises
incident TO his funeral, and that these re-
solutions be communicated to the House
of Representatives"
The resolutions were agreed TO unanl-
mously, and the Vice-President announced
az the committee on the part of the Sen
ate Messrs. PETER, Dolph, Paddock, Ran
som, and Palmer.
The Senate then, on motion OF Sir. Sher-
man, took a recess till L. Nj.
THE FUNERAL.
At1P.M. the Senate was called to order
by the President. During the half
hour recess the work of preparing the
chamber tor the funeral ceremonies had
been completed. A row of srm-chaus hao
been placed in the area IN front or the
Clerks desk. and the western side OF the
chamber (the one occupied by Democratic
senators) had been arranged and set apart
tor the occupancy of members Of the House
of Representatives. The public galleries
had in the meantime become crowded to
Their utmost capacity. and even the halls
and corridors leading 70 them were packed
with people seeking to gain admlttance.
CABINET OFFICERS.
Shortlvb before o'clock the Cabinet Off
GERS and assistant secretaries OF the execu'
five departments began to arrive and were
shown to the Presidents room. Among
them were Secretary Blaine, Secretary
Rusk. Assistant-Secretary War Grant
Solicitor General Taft, and Assistant-Sec,,
retaries-of-the-T Treasury Nettleton and
Spaulding.
THE PRESIDENT,
accompanied by Private-Secretary Halford
arrived few minutes past | and joined
the Others IN the Presidents room. Mrs
Harrison, escorted by Lieutenant Parker
of the navy, occupied a SCAT In the re
served gallery. At loo Captain BaSsett
the Doorkeeper, announced the Speaker
and the members Of the House.
THE sPEARRR
was escorted by Sergeant-at-Arms Nalen
tine 10 seat on the right of the Vice.
President. and the members filed In ano
took the seats assigned to them on the
Democratic side OF the chamber. The
number included many Of the old mem
bers of the House. who had known Sena-