The record-union., 1899-01-01
A Distinguished Asssmblage Congrsgates In
tho Chambers Of the Senate.
President Mckinley, vice-Presi-
dent Hobart. Members Of the
Cabinet, Justices Of the SUI
preme Court, Senators and Rep-
resentatives Attend the Sad
Rites.

services over the remains of the late
Senator Justin S. Morrill, of Vermont
were held in the United States Senate
chamber at noon. They were conduct
ed with impressive dignity in the pres
ence of a distinguished assemblage, in
Guiding the President and Vice-Presi-
dent, members of the Cabinet, Justices
Of the Supreme Court, Senators and
Representatives in Congress, the
Speaker of the House and Representa-
tives of the army and navy and of the
diplomatic corps, as well as a cOncourse
of private citizens, who took this means
Of testifying to the affectionate regard
in which Mr.. Morrill, was universally
held.
Early in the day the remains were
borne from the family residence to the
Capitol. There was no service at the
house, and the funeral cortege to the
Capitol was simple and formal. Arriv-
ing there, the casket was carried direct
to the Senate chamber and deposited
in the semi-circular area, Immediately
in front of the presiding officers desk.
The casket was of a rich but simple
design, with black broadcloth covering
and heavy oxydized silver handles. A
silver plate on top bore the inscriptions:
JUSTIN SMITH MORRILL,.
1S1O-1S9S.'
After the willing hands Of Senate en-
ployes who had SO long served the
Senator in life had arranged the multi
tude of flowers which had been sent, the
lid of the casket was removed. disclos-
ing the calm and peaceful face of the
dead statesman. In the repose Of death
the features still showed a rugged
strength and firmness. The arms were
folded across the breast and the eyes
looked upward vacantly. Banked high
on the lower part of the casket all
about and covering the desks up to the
presiding officers desk was profusion
of plants, flowers floral emblems, palms
and garlands of galax leaves.
BY IL o'clock the public galleries were
| filled to overlooking with crowds who
had braved a driving rain. vice-Pres-
| ident Hobart and Speaker Reed took
seats at the presiding officers desk,
while the President, Cabinet, Supreme
Justices, Senators and Representatives
entered unannounced.
The scene was one of profound SOL
emnity as the President and distin-
guished officials entered the chamber.
with bowed heads and eyes turned
toward the pallid, upturned face Of the
dead Senator. President Mckinley
walked with Secretary Gage, proceed
ing up the aisle to a large leather
chair facing the casket, and Immediate
~ alongside it. The large assemblage
on the floor and in the galleries rose
and remained standing until the Presi-
Dental party was seated.
Ranged back Of the President and
his Cabinet were the honorary commit
tee of Senators and Representatives
most of them white haired and vener-
able associates of Mr.. Morrill, They
wore wide white mourning bands from
shoulders to hips.
Chief Justice Fuller and Justices
Brown and McKenna were there, with
the large representation of Senator'S
and Representatives filling the body OF
the chamber Former Senator John
Sherman, who became a member OF
the House with Mr.. Morrill, in 1900,
was present. Directly across the aisle
from the President and to the left OF
the casket sat the family group-James
1. Morrill,, son; DR.. and Mrs. Seaman,
brother law and sister-in-law Of the
deceased. Aside from the officials
present there were number of ladies.
consisted of Proctor, Hoar, Cullom,
Wolcott, Jones (Ark.), Chandler. Till
man, Jones CNev.), Morgan, Fairbanks,
Faulkner, Mitchell and Nelson. That
of the House was Representatives
Dingley Grant. Powers, Hit, Foss.
Mccall Bankhead, Lewis, Wheeler and
Catchings.
Dingley and Wheeler were not able
~ <;fx in,
mony.
A hush fell on the assemblage as the
last of the officials were escorted to
their seats, and a choir stationed in
the galleries back of the presiding off,
Ger, in subdued tones, sang Lead.
Kindly Light Rev. E. d. Leavitt OF
All Souls Church began the burial SER
vices with selections from the psalms.
Ills tribute to the memory of the de-
ceased. to his long and notable public
career and his beautiful home lie was
heartfelt and eloquent.
In closing, DR.. Leavitt said:' Proud
Vermont. How idle to attempt TO euio-
g;ze this son. Here lies grand OH
man, one of Americas grand old men;
an example of civil virtue and integ-
rity: a pattern for our young men, 4
vision Of the best and noblest cltizen-
ship in the onward and upward sweep
of this great republic"
Again the voices of the choir noa'eo
in tones through the Senate chamber.
ringi,lg Nearer MY God, to Thee.
Then. with uplifted hands, the blind
Chaplain of the Senate. Rev. DR.. Mil
burn, delivered the closing invocation.
his voice trembling with emotion as ne
extolled his sweet, gracious and noole
character.
It was 1 o'clock whe.s the ceremony
concluded, and the President ana Cav
mot led the way pasr the casket, taxi
ing p final look at the calm. silent face
aud tLer retired.
The casket remained in the Senate
chamber. where it vii be eft until
borne t. the train tomorrow mornings
en- route to Montpelier Vermont.
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