Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-11-22
VICE-PRESDEAI HOBART DEAD
Continued from First page.)

mad been submitted December 4, 1898,
and had remained Enacted on.
The news OF Mr.. Hendricks death
was received In Washington late ON the
afternoon OF November 25. President
Cleveland was at dinner when the news
was brought to him by Secretary La
mont. Notices were sent at once to all
the members of the Cabinet, and spe-
cial Cabinet meeting was held that
night. President CIeVeland's first act
was to dispatch a telegram OF condo
lence to Mrs. Hendricks, after which q
proclamation was prepared making an
official announcement of the Vice Pres
1dents death to the public. establish-
Ing usage, which was followed to-day
by President Mckinley.
On the morning following Mr.. Hend-
ricks' death, meeting of such members
of the House and Senate as were in
town were held at the Capitol, and
committees from both legislative
branches were appointed to attend the
funeral Services, which were held in In
dianapoiis on the Tuesday following
Nineteen members were appointed on
the House Committee, and the rather
unusual number OF IS from the Senate.
A PROTEST..
President Cleveland Mt first expressed
his intention of attending the funeral,
but there was an immediate protest
from all his advisers, seconded by the
press of both parties, against his sub
1ecting himself to even the slight posi-
bilities of an accident incident to travel
ut time when there was no provision
for q successor in his office, and when
his death might have entailed serious
consequences. After some days the
President deferred TO the advice OF his
friends and remained in Washington.
The Cabinet, however, attended the
funeral in u body and the Supreme
Court adjourned NJ 1,a
vices. Pending the Presidents decision
not to so to indianapolis the most
elaborate preparations were made by
the railroad officials for the safeguard
ing OF his train in case the journey
should be made, special track walkers,
pilot engines and the like being Detailed
to insure the safety of the whole route.
The Vice President was in Indiana
polis at the time of his death, and
through q singular set or circumstances,
no one was in the room with him when
he expired.
THE LAW OF SUCCESSION.
The law applicable to the Vice-Presi-
dency was enacted January 10Th. 1856,
BY the Forty ninth Congress, first ses-
sion. The main features are as follows:
BE it enacted, etc, That in case of
removal, death, resignation or inability
OF both the President and Vice-Presi-
dent of the United States, the Secretary
OF State, or Secretary OF the
Treasury, or Secretary of
war, or Acknowledgement,
or Postmaster-G General, or .
Secretary of the Navy, or .
Secretary of the Interior, shall act
as President until the disability of the
President or Vice President is removed,
or a President shall be elected"
The law further provides that when
one of the above Cabinet officers sue
tn ha To et, n
special session of Congress. A pro-
viso limits the succession to those who
would be eligible to the Presidency I'M
der the terms of the constitution, and
who have been appointed with the adj
vice and consent OF the Senate.
EFFECT OF THE Law.
The effect of the law is not to pro-
vide a succession to the Vice-Presi-
dency, but merely to ensure Il success
sion to the Presidency. BY the death
OF Mr.. Hobart, Senator William p.
Frye, OF Maine, becomes President pro
temporc OF the Senate, and will dis
charge all the duties of the Vice Pres
idcnt as presiding officer of that body.
The Senate rules specifically provide
that no election is necessary at the be-
ginning of the session. Senator Frye
accordingly will continue as presiding
officer until the end OF President Nc
kinley's administration unless he
chooses to resign or the Senate wishes
TO elect another Senator to the office.
~ CURIOUS COINCIDENCE.
n curious coincidence of the death Of
Vice-PrcsiGent Hobart is found in the
fact that of the six Vice Presidents
who died in office, four died within a
few DAYS of the same day OF the same
month of the year. the death of Mr. Ho-
bart being the 21st of November. 1S99.
that of Mr. Wilson the ODD of November
1875: that of Elbridgc Gerry, November
%. 1911. and that of Hendricks Noyem-
Der 25. 1855.
The other two Vice Presidents who
died in office were Clinton and King.
The former died April 20, 1872, and the
latter April II, 1853.
All the flags in Washington are half
masted out OF respect to the memory OF
iNicc-President Hobart.
WASHINGTON SHOCKED.
The announcement of the Vicc-Prcsi-
dents death. while not uncXpccted
came as distinct shock and cast n.
deep gloom over the city where no wac
loved and honored. The news was fret
received at the White House ten min
utes before 0 o'clock in private mes
sage from Paterson. Tho flag over tho
Executive Mansion was immediately
hauled down 10 half mast and the doors
of the mansion closed to the public.
PRESIDENT DEEPLY AFFECTED.
The President was deeply affected by
the telegram announcing his colleagues
death ana at once dispatched a tele-
gram conveying the sympathy and con-
ISOLATION OF himself and Mrs. Mckinley
to Mrs. Hobart. Meantime the sad in
telligencc had been bulletined by all
the newspaper offices and the whole
city was soon mourning the loss of the
Vice President. Secretary of State
Hay, upon whom the succession to the
Presidency now falls, heard the news
upon his arrival at the State Depart
| ment. and he Immediately repaired to
10 Arlnifn N;A,,, he