Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-05-17
FUNERAL OF SENATOR BARBOUR.

Catholic Ceremonies Hold for the First
Tims in tbs Senate Chamber.
WASHINGTON, May 16.-To-day, for the Sec
ond time within less than six months, the
United States Senate was called upon to
| mourn the loss of one of its members and to
pay the last tribute of respect to the mem-
ory of the late Senator John S. Barbour of
Virginia. The remains, in black cloth
casket, were brought to the Capitol at II A.
NJ. and were deposited in the Senate cham
Der. where Capitol police stood guard over
them. The chamber was arranged for the
ceremonies in tho usual manner. The chair
occupied last Friday by the dead Senator
was draped in black. The chaplain's open
ing prayer had only one direct allusion to
the occasion-a rendering of thanks 'for the
true and faithful life spared so long"
Immediately after the journal of Friday
last was read Mr.. Kenna rose and formally
announced, in the absence because of
sickness, of Senator Daniel, of Virginia, the
death of Senator Barbour. He proceeded
with a personal sketch of the dead, the
story of his sudden taking off, and warm
words of eulogy for the man and his charac-
ter. Mr.. Kenna closed with the usual reso-
lutions of respect and when a committee of
nine Senators had been named to accom-
pany the remains to Virginia q recess was
had at 1880 p. M.
There were on the clerks desk when tho
Senate reconvened, two gilt cGndelabra, in
each of which were three lighted candles,
and between them stood O brass crucff1
about Is inches high-beca use, although the
dead Senator was not a protesting memb ber Of
the Church, his wife had been Catholic, and
the religious ceremonies were to be con-
Quoted. Mt the request of the family, by
Bishop keane, rector of the Catholic Uni
versfty. This was the first occasion in the
memory of the Oldest officers of the Senate,
and perhaps in fact, when Catholic clergy
off1ciated in such maner in the Senate.
At 1885 the members OF the House entered
the chamber, followed by the Supreme Court
Judges and members of the Cabinet, Mr..
Harrison being out of town. Then came tho
members of the dead Senator's family. near
friends, and last the coffin. preceded by the
members OF the committees of the two
Houses, wearing white scarfs These were
followed by acolytes robed in white, bearing
lighted candles, and who preceded about a
dozen priests, wearing the sacerdotal vest
ments who ranged themselves around the
coffin. While the fumes from the censor
rose in the air, Father Gillespie, S. j.. rec
tor OF the Church of St. Alovsius, read the
prayers for the dead. Then Bishop Keane
wearing the purple robes of his office, took
his stand at the foot of the coffin to deliver
the funeral sermon. During his sermon the
Bishop said: when, about six years ago.
Senator Barbour, shortly after the death OF
his sanity and beloved wife, gave him to
understand that soon we would be fellow
Catholics he (the Bislop) had rejoiced that
the luster which the Senator's civic virtues
reflected on his State was likewise to be
shared in by the old Church of all the ages"
ber, tho remains were removed to the late
residence of the deceased, and then.
motion of Senator Henderson, the Senate
adjourned.