The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-12-31
THEIR TRIBUTE
TO The DEAD.
Distinguished Gathering at Sen
atOr MOHiIPS Funeral.
SENATE GALLERIES CROWDED.
CaSket Containing Remains Almost Hidden
Under Floral Tributes.
PRESIDENT AND CABINET PRESENT.
Vacant Chair and Cssk So Long Occupied By the
Departed Senator, Rea,y Drapsd III Black.
Honorary Committee in Attendance.

Washington, Dec. 31.-Funeral SER
vices over the late Senator Justin ;.
Morrill, of Vermont were held in the
United States senate chamber at noon
today. They were conducted with inn
pressive dignity I'm the presence of a
distinguished assemblage including the
president and vice president. members
of the cabinet. justices of the supreme
court. senator's and representatives in
congress. The speaker OF the house and
representatives. of the army and navy
and OF the diplomatic corps as we'll as
concourse OF private citizens who
took this means of testifying the af-
fectionate regard i'm which Mr.. Morrill,
was universally held.
Early i'm the day the remains were
borne from the family residence on
Massachusetts avenue TO the Capitol.
| There was no services at the house aud
the funeral coTtege to the Capitol was
simple and formal. Arriving there tEe
casket was carried direct To the senate
chamber and deposited in the semi-cir-
cular area Immediately in front of the
presiding officers desk. The casket was
of rich but simple design. with black
broadcloth covering and heavy oXydiZ-
ed silver handles. A silver plate on top
bore the inscription:
Justin Smith Morrill,,
tSl0-1S9S.
After the willing hands ofgsenate en-
ployes who had so long served the SEN
ator I'm life had arranged the multitude
of flowers which had been sent. the lid
of the casket was removed, disclosing
the calm and peaceful face OF the dead
statesman. In the repose of death the
features still showed a rugged strength
and lirmness. The arms were folded
across the breast and the eyes looked
upward vacantly. Banked high on the
lower part of the casket, all about IL
and covering the desks up to the pre-
siding officers desk, was profusion of
plants. ilowers. floral emblems, palms
and garlands of galax leaves.
From the White House conservatory
came an exquisite wreath from Pres-
dent and Mrs Mckinley OF pale pink
and purple orchids. dark russet brown
galaX leaves of North Carolina and
long wisps of palm. The family flowers
were banked on the casket, half bury
ing 1t I'm wealth of Orchids dark me-
teor roses. Gala lilies and ferns. Back
OF these were solid tiers OF flowers, rs-
ing like richly colored terraces to the
upper dais. II was such AN outpouring
of flowers as is seldom seen even in the
senate.
The chamber itself bore eloquent tes-
timony 20 the lifelong service of the
Vermont senator within It's walls. The
vacant chair and desk in the front row
and To the left OF the presiding officer.
SO long used by Mr. Morrill,. were heav-
lily draped i'm black crepe From the
walls of the chamber hung long gar
lands and festoons of galaN leaves and
i'm all the rcccsses about the chamber
...I.
a profusion not before undertaken in
the senate.
by II o'clock the public galleries
were filled To OVERLOOKING with crowds
who had braved n driving rain. FIX
actly at noon the ceremony began,
Vice President Hobart, accompanied by
Speaker Reed, taking seats at the pre-
siding officers desk while the president.
cabinet Supreme Court Justices. sena-
tors and representatives entered unan-
nounCed.
The scene was one of profound sol
cmnity rs the president and distin-
guished officials entered the chamber
with bowed heads and eyes turnd tow
ard the pallid upturned face of the
dead senator. Mr.. Mckinley walked
with Secretary Gage, proceeding up the
aisle TO a large leather chair facing the
casket and immediately alongside OF IL.
The chair was occupied by the presi-
dent while na~t TO him I'm "A semi-circle
facing the casket sat Secretaries Gage,
Long. Alger Bliss Wilson, Postmaster
General Smith, Attorney General Griggs
and Secretary John Addison Porter.
The large assemblage on the floor and
galleries rose and remained standing
until the presidential party was seated.
Ranged back OF them were the honor
AIRY committee of senators ana repre-
scntatives most Of them white haired
and venerable associates OF Mr. Morrill,
They wore wide white mourning bands
from shoulder To hip. chief Justice Fui-
Ter and Justices Brown and McNcnna
were. with the large representation of
senators ana representatives. flling the
body of the chamber. Former Senator
John sherman. Who became member
of the house with Mr.. Morrill, In 1886
was PR % nt. Directly across the aisle
from the president and go the left OF the
caskct sat the family group Mr.. James
Swan Morrill,. son. Or. and Miss Swan
Brothcr-in-law and sister-in-law OF the
deceased. Aside from the officials pres
ent. number OF ladies were admitted
10 the ioor
The honorary committee Of senators
consisted of Mcssra. Proctor Hoar
Cullom. Wolcott. Jones "A Arkansas
chandler German. Tillman. Jones nf
Nevada. Morgan. Fairbanks. faulknci
Mitchell uud Nelson. That uf the house
WAS representative Dinglcy Grout
Powers. Hitt Flss Mccall. Hankhcud
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