Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-23
THE WALTHALL OBSEQUIES
Solemn Services at the Capitol in Memory of
Dead Senator.
President and His Cabinet, Diploma Il c
Corps and Other OmciaIs Present
The Floral Tributes.


mains Of Senator Edward Cary Walthall of
Mississippi, in the United States Senate
chamber today, proved to be one Of the
most solemn and impressive functions that
has ever taken place at the Capitol. Sem
ator Walthalrs great popularity among men
of all parties was manifested in many ways,
and especially by the attendance of almost
every senator and representative in Con-
81 ess. the fact that the big guns of our
navy may have been brought into action at
sol mnity of the occasion.
The Senate chamber and the corridors
leading to it had been decorated with i'm
n.ense palms, while within the chamber
over the Vice Presidents chair were fes-
toons of evergreens.
Shortly before II o'clock the Vice Presi-
Dent and Speaker Reed entered the Senate
chamber. They stood side by side during
the ceremonies at the presiding officers
desk. Thu galleries were filled with specta-
tors. there being among them very large
number of Missippians resident in this city,
while the senator's private gallery was
filled with members of the families of SEN
atOrs who were intimately acquainted with
the late senator from Mississippi
The members of the two houses entered
the Senate chamber a few minutes before
II o'clock, the senators being seated on the
left Of the chamber. while the representa-
tfves were ranged in the rear on both sides
of the hall. The members of the commit
tees of the Senate and House appointed to
attend the funeral, to represent Congress,
wore white Sashes and were seated on the
left of the presiding officer. the row of seats
Immediately in front of these committees
being reserved for the members of Senator
Waithall's family.
Mass of Flowers.
All remained standing until the Vice
Presidents gavel was heard. Rev. Dr. Nc
Kim and Rev. Louis q. Wood Of Epiphany
Episcopal Church entered and took their
places at the reading clerks desk, in front
of them being the magnificent casket con-
tanning the remains Of the deceased sena-
tor. The casket was entirely hidden from
view under mass of white flowers. At
the head, resting partly on the reading
desk. was a great wreath of Easter lilies
and roses. built upon southern leaves.
The entrance Of the diplomatic corps.
headed by Sir Julian Pauncefote, was an
ncunced. Nearly every country represented
at Washington had it's representative at
the funeral. and they occupied the row Of
seats at the head of which was the de-
ceased senator's desk draped in mourning.
The German ambassador was seated be-
side Sir Julian Pauncefote. All arose upon
the entrance of the diplomatic corps and
remained standing they proceeded to
their assigned places. The arrival Of the
Court of the United States was then an
nounced, every member Of that body being
present.
Entrance of President and Cabinet.
The gavel was again sounded and the
President Of the United States. accom-
panied by Secretary Sherman. entered. I'm
metliately following them were Secretaries
Gage, Alger, Bliss, Attorney General Griggs
and Secretary Wilson. They We're escorted
to seats on the front row to the right of
the presiding officer, President Mckinley
being seated next to the aisle.
All remained standing until the family
Of the deceased had entered the chamber
and were escorted 10 their places.
The blind chaplain of the Senate, Rev.
Mr.. Milburn, then delivered the invocation
in a solemn and impressive manner after
which Rev. DR.. Mckim and Rev. Mr.. Wood
read the Episcopal service over the re-
mains.
DIR. McKim selected his text from Paul's
eristle to the Corinthians: Now is Christ
brief. but impressively delivered. and
dweit upon the resurrection of man.
Removal of Cnsket.
At the conclusion of the sermon the Vice
President announced that the committees
appointed by the two houses of Congress
would accompany the remains to their last
senator in Mississippi, and requested that
all should remain while the committee left
the chamber The palibearers, members of
the Capitol police force. then entered and
bore the casket from the chamber, being
followed by the committees of the Senate
and House.
The family of the deceased then retired
and the President and mis- cabinet pro-
ceeded to the Presidents room In the rear
of the Senate lobby, the members of the
Supreme Court leaving the hall followed by
the diplomatic corps, after which members
of the House left.
A brief session of the Senate was then
held. when the ordinary motion to adjourn
made and Immediately adopted.
The remains Of the dead senator were
taken to the Pennsylvania station. where
they were placed upon the special car
that will convey them to Mississippi for in
terment. The funeral party will leave the
city at s o'clock this evening.