The times., 1898-04-24
LATE SENATOR WALTHALL.
Imposing Ceremony Over His Re
mains in the Senate Chamber.

The funeral service Of a United States
senator as conducted in the Senate cham
Der is solemn and pompous ceremony.
That of Senator WalthaI, of Mississippi,
which took place there yesterday was of
that character, almost intensified.
The dead senator's desk and chair were
covered with black cloth The other
chairs Of senators were brought close TO
each other or were interspersed with
light oak chairs, so as to give additional
room, while the spaces in the lobby and
back of the row of desks were provided
with lighter chairs for the accommosa-
ton of members Of the House of Repre-
sentatives.. The Nice-President's plat
form was decorated with lilies and palms
and so were the handsome marble panels
on all sides OF the chamber.
The seats on the left side of the room
were assigned for the use of senators and
those on the right were reserved for the
diplomatic corps and the Supreme Court
The President and his Cabinet occupied
the front row
An hour before the opening Of the cere-
monies the casket, laden with beautiful
flowers. was carried into the Senate
chamber by 4 file of Capitol police and
placed in the area fronting the Vice
Presidents chair. Meanwhile the gal
leries filled up with visitors. much inter
est being manifested in the spectacle by
strangers III the city.
~ noon the Senate was called to order
T by the Vice President and at the same
moment the House of Representatives
I headed by the Speaker, was summoned
I The Speaker took the seat TO the left of
/ the Fjce-President and the members filed
into the space assigned to them A
/ ceremonial announcement preceded the
not wear their official uniforms, only the
| Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans being
conspicuous by their Oriental attire.
Following the Supreme Court came the
| President and his Cabinet, with the ex-
| ception OF Secretary Long and Postmas-
| ter General Smith The President
showed little OF the signs of worry that
! have been said recently 10 be his portion.
The opening prayer was delivered by
Mr.. Milburn, the blind chaplain of the
Senate, and at its close the Vice Presi-
| dent announced that the usual business
was suspended so as TO participate in the
! funeral ceremonies of the late Senator
| from Mississippi. The Protestant Episco-
! pal service for the dead was recited by
! Rev. DR.. McKim, OF Epiphany Episcopal
! Church, Of this city.
At l2.40 the religious services came TO a
| close and the Vice President announced:
THE body Of our late brother is now
committed 10 the charge OF the officers Of
/ the Senate and to the committee repre-
| senting the two houses Of Congress, to
| be conveyed TO his late home in Missis-
sippi. there 10 be buried among his fam
/ lily and friends The committee will es-
/ cort the remains 10 the depot and the au-
| dience Will remain seated until they are
! taken from the chamber"
Amid profound silence and with all
/ DreGpuf standing ragnectfuily ackef
/ surrounded by members Of the joint com
] mittee wearing white scarls. was borne
/ out Of the chamber by a squad of Cap
| itol police. Then, in turn, the President
I and his Cabinet, the Supreme Court the
! diplomatic corps and the House of Rep
/ Tesentatives left the chamber, and the
| Senate adjourned until Monday.