The silver lance., 1897-12-10

Canton, Ohio, Dec. o.-President Nc
KinIey win be I'm washington for the
opening q Congress next Aonday,
whatever may be the issue Of his moth
er's illness. Although there has never
been In the history Of the government
. case exactly similar, It u necessary
for The President to be 1t the capital
In psFBon for the opening Of Z session
Of Congress, to receive the two joint
committees from the two houses, and
until this committee has waited On the
President and received his communica-
ti0n, the regular business of Congress
cannf proceed.
Mo<her Mckinley IL unconscious, and
tho attending physician can give the
family no hope that she will ever re-
turn 70 consciousness- The President
can Do absolutely nothing for her BY
remaining here. In view Of these
facts. the President feels that 1t 10 his
duty 10 return to Washington 20 ~ not
to delay the opening OF Congress at the
regular time. He has arranged to leave
Canton 1t 206 O'Clock tomorrow after
noon IN the special car provided for
him, attached to the regular Pennsyl-
vania train, which reaches Washing
ton Sunday morning. Assistant Secre-
G&EF<>ee
Canton early next week. He will leave
Washington a. soon ~ possible after
attending the functions of the opening
of Congress.
To-day was one Of great suspense in
the Mckinley home. The nearness OF
the messenger was realized every mo-
ment Of the day and that there could
be no other than q fatal ending to tho
illness with which Mother Mckinley
was stricken on Thursday morning.
The attending physician could give
them no hope Of . different result, and
to the remarkable constitution Of the
woman, who has reached the ripe old age
Of nearly eighty-nine years without III
ness of any consequence, he attributes
the fact that the flame Of life was not
ext1nguished earlier. The family sur
rounded the bedside all day, watching
toee coalition IN which the patient has
been since the beginning Of the illness,
and at short intervals the doctor
called. But the word from the sick
room was almost without variation,
family and doctor announcing from
time to time Increasing weakness and
sinking away.
Only twice was this report varied by
the announcement Of evidence OF par
fial consciousness. The first was when
Mr.. Mckinley reached the sick room.
His sister Helen announced his arrival
saying: Mother. here IL william. II
you recognise him hold up your hand"
The enfeebled patient seemed to un-
derstand and to make an effort to ex-
tend her hand, which was Immediately
grnsped by the devoted son. He
| thought he felt responsive Tightening
| Of her hand about his own ~ he did 40,
| but the recognition was DO slight A. to
be almost imperceptible. 1t was some
time later that = second slight rally
seemed to occur. A bunch Of beautiful
flowers was sent from the conservatory
Of the White House, and when they
| were taken into the room, she noted
their arrival and seemed to make m
| effort to reach for one. The President
| quickly selected q beautiful white lily
| and handed 1t to her. She took 1t In
her hand and carried 1t to her bosom
| II being apparent that she was con
scious Of the fact and appreciated the
flower. Soon after this, about noon
she quieted down into . rest that
seemed to be almost . natural sleep.