Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-27
THE LAST SAD RITES
Funeral Services Over the Late
Senator Colquitt of Georgia.
SCENE In THE SENATE CHAMBER
An Eloquent Tribute to the Worth
of the Deceased.
DISTINGUISHED ASSEMBLAGE

The funeral services over the remains of
the late Senator Colquitt were held in the
Senate chamber early this morning, and the
funeral party left the city at l1:O1 o'clock
for Macon, Ca where the interment will
take place tomorrow at noon. The casket
containing the wasted form Of the dead
| statesman was removed from his residence,
220 street southeast at half-past 8, car
ried in a hearse to the Senate, and placed
in front of the Vice Presidents desk, in the
semi-circular space usually occupied by the
stenographers and reporters. 1t rested on a
plain black bier. On the casket was a large
silver plate, bearing these words: ALFRED
Holt Colquitt, born April 90 1924; died
| March 26, 1894" A large white wreath of
carnations and hyacinths surrounded the
plate. while at the head of the casket
rested a beautiful bunch Of Easter lilies
and white roses.
The Impressive Ceremonies.
At S:45 six carriages, bearing the men,
bers of the late Senator's family, reached
the Capitol, and Mrs. Colquitt was escorted
| into the Vice Presidents Office by Senator
Gordon. her husbands colleague. followed
by her sons and daughters. all in deep
mourning. The ceremonies in the chamber
began promptly at o'clock. Vice Presi-
dent Stevenson, accompanied by Speaker
Crisp, entered the chamber at the head CT
| the procession Of the mourners and the
chapiains of the two houses of Congress,
Mr.. Milburn and Mr.. Bagby. The latter
took places at the secretary's desk. while
| the Speaker took the chair at the back OF
the Vice President. Mrs. Colquitt and the
other members of the family were seated in
front Of the republican side of the chamber.
In the seats were about dozen Senators
| O nd nArh han hal m an m har a
House, while the galleries were nearly filled
with spectators. The reserved galleries, II
was noticed. were far more crowded than
| those given up to the public. The diplo-
matte gallery was empty, as provision had
been made for its usual occupants on the
floor. AS soon as quiet was secured in the
chamber the two chaplains arose side by
side, and in his beautiful tones DIR. Milburn
began the Psalm, ~ am the resurrection
and the life" When he had finished this
brief but splendid effort from the Scripture
he quoted from his marvellous memory the
first Epistle OF the Corinthians, standing
alone at the desk, with his trusty cane lying
| on the table before him.
Distinguished Persons Arrive.
He had proceeded about three minutes
when there was hustle at the south doors
Of the chamber, and the Supreme Court.
headed by the clerk and marshall. entered
the Senate. All the members we're present,
except Justices Field and jackson. They
occupied the first row of seats on the dem
ocratic side, the chief justice sitting next
the chair draped in black. so long the seat
OF the dead Senator. In a few moments the
members of the cabinet entered. The first
group consisted of Attorney General Olney,
Postmaster General Bisseu, Secretaries Her
| bert and Morton. They sat Immediately in
front of the Supreme Court in chairs which
had been specially placed for them, cor
responding to those occupied by tee mourn
ers opposite. The two seats nearest the
-la 1nf
soon filled by Secretaries Gresham and Car
Isle, who reached the Senate few minutes
late Gen. Schofield arrived a little later to
represent the Secretary of War
In the row behind the Supreme Court sat
| two members of the Korean legation in
their peculiar robes and hats, two members
| of the Chinese embassy, with their pictur-
| esque costumes, representative of the
Japanese government, clad in sober black,
and two European diplomats, undistinguish-
able by their dress from the members and
Senators about them. Minister Thurston
| and Mr.. Hastings Of the Hawaiian legation
came in late. and were given seats at their
own request, near the door in an incon-
| spicuous place. The Senators sat on the re-
publican side Of the chamber, and the men,
bers of the House were given seats on the
democratic side behind the diplomatic corps.
| At the close of the services there were per-
| haps forty Senators and as many members
on the floor, and the galleries were filled to
| the doors.
At the close of the Epistle, which was
delivered by Dr. Miburn, without further
interruption, after the entrance Of the Su-
preme Court. there was a brief pause and
then the chaplain began his address. last
ing about fifteen minutes. He began:
"When a good man dies II seems as If the
corner of the curtain that hides an illimit-
able future from eyes had been lifted"
He then went on to sketch, in general
terms. the excellent characteristics of the
life just closed, and he spoke feelingly of
the religious sentiments of Senator Col
quit and of his temperance and piety, pre-
| served through years of public life and the
great temptations and trials. The Senator,
he said. was a simple hearted. humble. rev.
him." he said. addressing the weeping
mourners, I'VE are burying the external
covering of the man, the body of him who
has passed away" Continuing 10 speak to
the widow, who sat almost at the head Of
the coffin, he consoled her by reassuring
her that she and her husband would soon
be reunited. He said that the Senator's
children were almost like his own children,
for he had known them from Their infancy,
and had known their father for over half
century.
While Mr.. Milburn was delivering this
address the honorary pail bearers compos-
Ing the congressional committee appointed
to accompany the funeral party to Macon,
entered the chamber and took their seats.
senators GOrOoN, Butler, Anderson, PROCTOR,
Hawley, Perkins and Carey on the left OF
the chaplain, and Representatives Living
stone, Cogswell and Cavendish on the right.
After the address. the entire assemblage
arose while the chaplain delivered a brief
and beautiful prayer, lasting about two
minutes. Then at 9:35 he delivered the
benedction, and eight policemen entered
the chamber and ranged themselves along
side the casket.
The End.
At a signal from the venerable Capt. Bas-
sett, the south doors of the chamber were
thrown open and the pail bearers, dis
tinguished by broad white ribbons passing
over their right shoulders across their
breasts and under their left arms, filed cut
Of the chamber, followed by the policemen
bearing the casket. In few moments the
mourners were led out of the chamber to
the carriages. which waited at the foot Of
the Senate steps. A large bunch of roses
and palms, which had been sent by Secre-
tary Smith, was laid upon the casket after
1t had been placed in the hearse.
AS soon as the mourning party had left
the Senate the Vice President called the
body to order, and at the suggestion OF
Senator Harris, announced the adjourn
ment Of the Senate until noon tomorrow
The Journey to Georgia.
| The body was taken direct from the Can
itol to the Baltimore and Potomac depot.
whittier 1t was accompanied by the men,
Of ha fop mi, nd