Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-06
THE CALL OF DUTY
will Be Answered by the President
Regardless Of Personal Affection.
Has Been Constantly At Mothers Side Since
Summoned by Her illness.

Canton, Ohio. Dec. 3.-President Nc
Kinley will be in Washington for the
opening'o of Congress, next Monday what
ever may be the issue OF his mother .
illness. 1t is necessary for the President
to be at the Capitol in person for the
opening of session Of Congress to re-
ceive the joint committees from the two
Houses. and until this committee has
waited on the President and received his
communication. the regular business of
Congress cannot proceed. Mother Nc
kinley is unconscious and the attending
physician gives the family no hope that
she will ever return to consciousness.
The President can do absolutely nothing
for her by remaining here.
In view of these facts, the President
feels that IL is his duty to return to
Washington, so as not to delay the proper
opening of Congress at the regular time.
He has arranged to leave Canton, at 2.05
car provided for him. attached to the reg
ular Pennsylvania train which reaches
Washington, Sunday morning.
To-day was one of great suspense in the
Mckinley family. The nearness of death
was realized. II Is due to the remarka BILE
constitution of the woman who has
reached the age of nearly SO years with
out Illness of any consequence that the
attending physician attributes the fact
that the flame Of life was not extin-
guished earlier in the Illness.
The family surrounded the bedside all
day. watching for any rally from the
comatose condition in which the patient
has been almost from the beginning of
the illness and at short intervals the
doctor called. But the word from the
sick room was almost without variation
the family and doctor announcing from
time TO time Increasing weakness.
Only twice was this report varied by
the announcement Of evidence of partial
consciousness. The first was when Pres
ident Mckinley reached the sick room.
His sister Helen announced his arrival
saying: Mother. here is William. II you
recognize him, hold out your hand.
The patient seemed TO understand and
to make an effort TO extend her hand,
The patient seemed to understand and
to make AN effort to extend her hand,
which was graspcd by the son. He
thought he felt "A responsive tightening
Of her hand about her own as he did so.
but the recognition was almost imper-
ceptibe.
Some time later a second slight rally
seemed TO occur. \ bunch OF beautiful
flowers was sent from the conservatory
Of the White House. and when they were
taken into the room she seemed To make
an eort to reach for them. The President
handed her white lily. She took IL in
her hand aud carried IL to her bosom. 1t
being apparent that she was conscious of
the act and appreciated the flower. Soon
after this she quieted down into rest
that seemed To be almost a natural sleep.
Mrs A. ]. Duncan of Cleveland. who
was the last Of the four children to mr.
rive. came too late to be recognized by
her mother. From this time on. the grad
ual weakening Of Mother Mckinley con-
tinued. How long her constitution will
withstand the assaults of this disease no
one can tell. but IL seems that 1t cannot
be much longer.
The President has scarcely been out OF
the house since his arrival. this morning.
and spent most of his time in his
mothers room. When he felt the need of
a little fresh air and exercise he and his
brother Abner left the house for n short
walk
There have been many callers Mt the
home. today. aged lady friends Of Mrs.
Mckinley being numerous among those
who called to. offer sympathy. The in
qtAries by telegraph are numerous and
messages are constantly going to and
from the house.
DR. Phillips made n call early tits
evening, after which he said he could re-
port no change in the condition OF the
patient. She continues to grow weaker.
but may live until morning. If a radical
change occurs ne thinks il will .oEle we'll
into the morning.