Evening star., 1898-12-30

when he desired to see and talk with the
President.
Secretary Porter, as the personal repre-
sentative of the President, went to the Mex
lean legation this morning and presented
the Presidents deep regrets.
Regret at State Department.
Regret is expressed a the State Depart
ment that by his untim4ly death Senior Ro-
nero was prevented from realizing the am
bition of his later days, namely, to take
his place among the ambassadors at the
| national can:tal. When he returned from
Mexico rece ltly he was charged by his gov
ernment with the necessary representa-
tons and credentials to establish him N
that high post and it so happens that he
was to have been received by the President
in the capacity of ambassador January 3.
BY a previous arrangement, United States
Minister Powell Clayton was to be pre-
sented simultaneously in thn city of Mex
leo as amba Ssador of the United States. If
is not expected that Seror Romeros death
will interfere with the promotion of Mr.
clayton, the arrangements having been ad-
vanced to that point where the formal ac-
Qulescence OF both governments to the in
crease in grade OF their representatives had
been recorded
One of the most important functions
which Senior Romero had undertaken just
before his fatal illness was that of nego-
uat1n@ an eXtradtion treaty between the
United States and Mexico TO replace the
convention about to expire. Mr.. Clayton,
however, has already made such headway
IN peffscting the preliminaries of this ar
rangement that no serious delay in its con-
summation is likely to follow.
Senor Romero was perhaps more inti-
mately acquainted with officials in Wash
ington, through his long residence in this
city, than any member of the diplomatic
BODY. Consequently there were many gem
ulne expressions of regret among officials
The Last Hours.
Mr.. Romero's condition was considered as
progressing favorably until half-past ten
iast nlShl, when his fever suddenly return
ed. Shortly after midnight it was seen that
he was sinking rapidly. although he retain
ed consciousness almost to the last. Rev
Father Bischof of St Augustine's Cbur,b
was present and administered the last
rites of the Catholic Church. Death came
at nihe minutes past o'clock. The only
relative present at his deathbed was his
venerable aunt, Miss Gaadalupe Avendo
who accompanied him back from Mexico
Mrs Garcia. his sister, has been i'll for
nearly Two weeks, and after her final in
terView with her brother Wednesday morn
Ing previous to the operation has not since
Deen able to leave her bed. She has had n
weak. " -'
Mr.. and Mrs Foster were present duripo,
the last hours of Mr.. Romero's life. having
peen summoned when the change came
The Funeral Arrangements.
The funeral will take place at ST. Mat
theW's Church Sunday at 1 o'clock, when a
requiem low mass will be celebrated. The
body will be placed temporarily in the vault
at MT. Olvet cemetery, to await the return
OF Mrs. Garcia to Mexico.
Effect of His Wife's Death.
Mr. Romero had long since desired to re-
tire from public office. and it was largely
to please his lamented wife, who was ex-
tremely fond of Washington, that he re-
mained here. After her death, if he could
have consulted his own inclinations entire
ly, he would not have returned to this
country, except to wind up his official con-
necuon. 1t was his expressed wish to de-
vote year or two to travel as his health
was delicate and he felt he would not be
able to pay active attention to diplomatic
cares unless it were fully restored Pres
ident Diaz was most anxious that Mr.
Romero should be the first ambassador
and he consented to serve. To his friends
he said that while he appreciated the ac-
ton of his government and its reception
here, he could not take the same pleasure
in the new honor as if 1t had occurred dur
ing the lifetime of his wife
Mrs. Romero died July 30 at Atlantic CITY
five months and a day ago. Mr.. Romero
during his nearly four months sIay in
Mexico, supervised the erection of a vault
at the Dolores cemetery, which was finish
ed and her remains placed therein only
day two previous to his return TO this
country. After Mr.. Romero went to Mex
leo he orde cd that the drawing room floor
of the legation here be heavily draped IN
black. This was done, and it now remains
somber and black III draDngs of crepe
Two portraits of Mrs. Romero which were
painted in Mexico, and which he brought
back With him, were hung in the reception
room of the legation week before last. BY
his desire also the gilt frames were also
hung with mourning.
His Long and Honorable Career.
Senor Don Matias Romero was born in
the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, February "a
1887. He became clerk in the ministry of
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