Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-07-10
FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON. July 10.
SENATE.

SENATE.
The funeral services over the late
Senator Isham G. Harris occurred ia
the Senate chamber at noon to-day, In
the presence of President Mckinley
and the members of his Cabinet. Sena.
tors and members of the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES, members of the diplo'
matte corps, justices of the supreme,
court and officials from all branches OF
public life.
The chamber had been deliberately
draped for the occasion. From the
wall back of the Vice President hung
garlands of bay leaves and all about
The chamber were tall palms and potted
plants. The desk of the late Senator
was heavily bound in crepe with a
crepe scarf thrown over the vacant
seat.
In the semi-cilcu area, Immediate
" in front of the presiding officer,
stood the casket, resting on heavy
black draped pedestals, and literally
buried in floral offerings. The casket
was covered with black broad cloth,
with heavy oxidized silver trimmings
and on the plate was inscribed:
Died July Z, 1897.
IsHAM G. HARRIS.
Aged 70 years.
At the head of the casket and re-
posing in part on the desk of the Sen
ate officers, was the floral tribute OF the
Senators. 1t was of galax leaves and
sago palms and bride roees made as a
wreath, out of which three white
doves with outstretched wings ascend
ed. Near this was an exquisite cross
and crown, while on and about the
casket were large floral wreaths with
heavy purple steamers.
The casket had been brought from
the marble room at II o'clock, squad
of six Capitol policemen acting as
bearers.
At II o'clock Rev. Hugh Johnston,
acting chaplain of the Senate, deliver
ed the invocation which referred to the
long and valuable services Of Senator
Harris to his State and the nation, his
sturdiness of purpose and unfailiDg
rectitude. The Vice President an
nounced that the usual business of the
day would be suspended for the pur-
pose of doing honor to the memory
of the deceased.
Following the prayer, the Senate Off
Gals announced the arrival of the vari-
GUS officials. First came the Senators.
following them were the members of
the House of Representatives. In front
of them sat representatives of the dip
lomatic corps, including the Chinese
minister and his suite, in their pictur-
esque garb; the Corean minister and his
secretary, and Ministers Hatch of Ha-
waii, Romero of Mexico, and Andrade
of Venezuela, accompanied by Chief
Clerk Michaes ofthe State Department.
The President and his cabinet were
then announced. President Mckinley
came first, accompanied by Secretary
Sherman, with Secretaries Gage, Alger,
Wilson, Attorney General McKenna
and Secretary Porter following. They
were seated in the front semi-circle to
the right, the President on the aisle and
before the hower-covered casket.
Across the aisle were the escort of SEN
ators, each wearing broad white silk
badge of mourning from shoulder to
hip. While these officials were assem-
bling on the floor of the chamber the
galleries were filled to their utmost CO
pacity, many ladies. including num-
Der of wives of Senators being present.
The services were brief and simple,
consisting only OF prayers by Rev. Mr.
Johnston, Rev. DR.. Duffy of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church South, and
Chaplain Couden of the House of Rep
representatives. the latter pronouncing
the benediction.
At the conclusion of the prayers the
Vice President arose and said: THE
funeral service is closed, and the body
of our late brother will now I've commit
ted to the charge of the officers of the
Senate and to the committees of the
two houses to be conveyed to his native
State, there to be buried amid his fami-
ly and friends"
At 1890 p. m. the ceremony was
over and on motion of Senator Bate of
Tennessee, the Senate adjourned.
Without formality President Nc
Kiuley and the other officials retired
from the chamber. The casket remain
ed in the chamber with an honorary
guard about it, the doors to the floor
aud galleries being closed after
o'clock. The casket will remain in the
Senate until 9 o'clock tonight when
it will be borne to the funeral train for
the late Senator's home,