Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-22

We're first received at the White House
at $50 in a private message from Pat
erson. The flag over the Executive
Mansion was Immediately hauled down
to half mast and the doors of the man
sion closed to the public.
Tho President was deeply affected by
the telegram announcing his colleagues
death ana at once dispatched "A telc
gram conveying the sympathy and con
ISOLATION Of himself and Mrs. Mckinley
to Mrs Hobart. Meantime the sad in
telligence had been bulletined by all
the newspaper offices and the whole
city WAS soon mourning the loss Of the
Vice President
President Mckinley was deeply NOV
cd and when Senator Fairbanks had
left ~ Joined Mrs. Mckinney in his rri-
vate apartments. Ills close. intimate
relations With his colleague made him
feel the Vice Presidents death as
great personal bereavement
Mrs. Mckinley was greatly affected
She gave way completely to her grief
ana spbbod cnnvulsively. Among her
most cherished friends We're the Vice
President ana. Mrs. Hobart. President
Mckinney did MI hr could To comfort
his wife ana did nor return To his office
until the members of tho cabinet began
To arrive.
The members W the cabinet were
made acquainted with the news as soon
as the President himself WAS informed
by means IF thu telephone from the
White House. After Secretary HAYS
fs.l.
turned to the state department t. give
orders for tia cxrcutiun of the official
programme rs far as the government
is concerned. First Mr.. Hay sent q
private message III Mrs Hobart cx-
Ply Ssia@ his sincere coincidence and
Then gave his attention to the prepara-
tlHn Of the proclamation announcing
tn" death Of The Vice President t. the
people Of the United States 1t was al
So necessary to convey the information
20 The nations Of the world.
This was the day for the regular cab
met meeting ana the members gathered
at the White House at II O'Clock. but
the death of the Vice President over
Swallowed all else and public business
was not mentioned at all, All the
members Of the cabinet. especially At
torney General Griggs. showed the
emotion which they felt.
Attorney General Griggs said he
would leave for Paterson immediately
after the cabinet meeting. The attor-
ney general and Vice President Hobart
We're probably closer than any two men
in public life in this administration.
After the cabinet meeting the Presi-
dent issued the following proclamation:
by the President Of the United States
A PROCLAMATION.
In the People Of the United States
Garret Augustus Hobart. Vice president
~ the | nited States. died at his home in
Paterson. y. J., AT $50 o'clock this morn
!nS- IL him the nation has lost one Of IL
most illustrious citizens ana one Of it,
most faithful servants. His participation
IN the business life ana the law making
h1dy Of his native state was marked b!
answering fidelity and ny high orde;
of talents and attainmpnts and his too
brief career as Vice President of the
United states ana President Of the Sen
ate, exhibited the loftiest qualities of W.
right and sasacious craftsmanship.
In the world Of affairs he had few equals
among his contemporaries.
His private character was gentle AM
noble. fIe will long be mourned by his
ittraCt!VeneSs. whose sweetness of disp0
Sition Won all hearts. while his elevate
purposes his unhendins integrity and
whole hearted devotion to the public de
served and acquired universal respect and
esteem.
In sorroHng testimony of the loss which
has fallen upon the country, | direct thl'
on the day Of the funeral the eXecuttV
offices Of tie United States shall be closed
ana all posts ana stations Of the army
and nav shall display the national flag
at half mast. and that the representative
Of tie United States in foreign countries
shall pay appropriate tribute TO the illus
tri0us dead for a period of 30 days.
IN witness whereof | have set my hand
ANA caused the seal Of the United States
to he affixed.
Done at the city Of Washing
ton. this twenty-first day of No
NcrIber. in the year of our Lord
tStaJ one thousand eight hundred and
ninety nine. and of the indie
pendencc of the United States, |
the one hundred and twenty
fourth.
tSigneh WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
By the President.
Signed JOHN Hay. Secretary of State. |