St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-01-04

erection OF sister building Tor the
United States supreme court. He had
been pressing measure looking to the
of such building for many
years, and had on three different occa-
sions prevailed upon the Senate TO pass
his bill for this purpose. Hislast appear
ance in the Senate was on the 10th ult.,
when he made speech of half an hours
duration in advocacy of the supreme
court building bill. He prevailed upon
the Senate to pass the bill in the face of
some opposition.
The reception he gave on his S7th birth
day at his home on Thomas circle was
marked event. His anniversaries had
become feature of Washington society.
They began when he was 70, and had
planned a small dinner for few intimate
triends one of these friends, then Vice
President Hannibal Hamlin, turned it
into surprise party, and it was always
a delight to Mr.. Morrill, that he found
where the refreshments had been bought.
shortly after sun.up the next morning,
and paid all the bills the planners of the
surprise had become indebted for Mi.
Morrill, had his humorous side, and he
enjoyed this turning tables on his friends
Tor years after.
MIR. Morrill, was very useful legislator,
because he devoted himself conscien-
tiously to the mastery of the subjects be-
fore him and because he united common
sense and good judgment with readiness
and skill as debater. 1t was long his
one boast that he had never been absent
from sessions OF Congress single day in
all his terms. This had been perforce
broken within the last year. He carried
the habits OF the scholar into legislation.
In person he was tall and spare. with a
countenance of refinement and manner
of inbred courtesy. His home in Wash
ington was center where the best type
of New England lille found expr esion,
and the venerable senator and his wife
secured and held very wide circle Of
friends. The moderate estate that had
grown from his early accommodations
added to his official salary sufficed to
support the workshop Of diligent and
most useful legislator, one whose honor
was unspotted by jobbery or guile.
The senator was most fortunate in hi:
relations to his state, and in retaining
Mr.. Morrill, until he literally died in thu
harness Vermont set an example worthy
to be followed bv other commonwealth
Senator Morriils Funeral.
Funeral services over the late Senate
Justin S. Morrill, were held in the United
States Senate chamber, Washington, a
noon Saturday. They were conducted
with impressive dignity in the presenc
OF distinguished assemblage, including
the President and vice president. mem
bers of the cabinet, justices OF tn
supreme court. senator's and represer
tatives in Congress, the speaker
the house and representatives {
the army and navy and of the diple
matte corps as well as copcours
of private citizens who took this mean
Of testiying the affectionate regard /
which Mr.. Morrill, was universally helt
The casket was covered and surrounde
with a profusion OF plants, flower
floral enblems and palms. The chamb'
itself bore eloquent testimony to the lit
long service of the Vermont senate
within it's walls. The vacant chair al
, desk in the front row and to the left
the presiding officer, so long used by Nj
Morrill,, were heavily draped in blat
crepe. From the walls OF the chamb
hung long garlands and testoons
galax leaves, and in all the recess
, about the chamber stood tall palm
ferns and plants in protusion not befo
undertaken in the senate.
! The scene was one OF profound S
l.a
r guished officials entered the chamber.
t The honorary committee OF senate
and representatives, most OF them whit
4 haired and venerable associates OF M
5 Morrill, wore wide white mourniT
, bands from shoulder to hip. Form
, Senator John Sherman, who became
, member of the house with Mr.. Morrill,
: 1885. was present.
\ Rev. L. Bradford Leavitt OF All Sou
e church began the burial service wi
t selections from the Psalms. His tribu
e to the memory of the deceased W
;, heartfelt and eloquent. He spoke of
t deep emotions stirred by sublime spect
e Giles of nature and that same awe-li
n feeling in now being in the presence OF
grand and noble character, restl1
d there after that splendid half century
s service in which he won the admirati
). and respect not only OF his state but
c the whole nation. After reviewing
, long and notable public service. |
4. Leavitt spoke OF the beauty OF his hol
k and private life. In closing DR.. Leav
s. said:
e proud Vermont, how idle to attem
II to eulogize thy son. Here lies a gra
It old man; one of Americas grand
4 men; an example of civic virtue and
v. tegrity; a pattern Tor our young me
y a vision OF the best and noblest citz'
Il. ship in the onward and upward swt
IS of this great republic. =.
N Then with uplilted hands, the bli
ne chaplain of the senate, Rev. Or. Miloo
20 delivered the closing invocation his vo
i'd trembling with emotion as he extol
ce this sweet, gracious and noble charact
he The last honors were paid the &c
Ike statesmen at Montpelier Monday alt
to noon, in the state Capitol where
IN times in succession he has received
nd election to the United States Sene
IN Thirty citizens of Montpelier acted a
&c guard of honor both in taking his be
We to the State House and in taking N
all Morrill's remains to the receiving va
a in Green Mountain cemetery.
se Many private residences displayed
in blems of mourning and public bulldi
1t, were draped. =,
on The scene at Representatives Hall
'er an impressive one. Never before ha
ar public funeral been held in this hal
Dr. legislation. There were present som
an the best known members of the natio
of law.making body, and many OF the II