The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-22
Hon,RT AND HENDRICKS
Ehcir Deaths Were within -Four
Days of The Same Dntc.

DAYS oil thH sumc bHte.
Washington. November 2l.-The death Of
Vice President Hobart naturally recalls
the death of Vice President Hendricks, who
expired suddenly of paralysis of the heart
November 20, 1850 At the time the ques-
tIon OF the succession 20 a presidency had
not been settled by law, although SEN
atcr Fioar's bill providing for the presidea-
tial succession through the cabinet had
beer submitted December 1, 1883, and had
remained Enacted on. The news of Mr..
Hendricks death was received in Washing
ton late in the afternoon Of November 20.
President Cleveland was at dinner when
the news was brought to him by Private
Secretary LamGnt. Notices were sent al
once TO all the members of the cabinet
and n special cabinet meeting was held
that night. President Cieveland's first act
was to dispatch a message of coincidence
10 Mrs. Hendricks, after which a procama-
ton was issued making an official an
nouncemont Of the vice presidents death 10
the public, establishing usage which
was followed today by President Mckinley
During the morning following Mr.. Hen
bricks death meetings of such members
of the house and senate as were In town
were held at the capitol and committees
from both legislative branches were APP
pointed 10 attend the funeral services
which were held at indianapolis the Tues
day following. Nineteen members we're
appointed on the house committee and the
unusual number OF thirteen from the SEN
ate
President Cleveland at first expressed
his intention OF attending The funeral. bul
there was an immediate protest from all
his advisors. seconded by the press of
both parties. against his subjec,ing him
self TO even the slight possibility of an
attack incident 70 travel az the time whoa
there was no provision for n succc sor In
his Office and when his death might have
ontalled serious CONSEQUENCES After eome
days tho president deferred to the advice
or his friends and remained ia Washing
ton. The cabinet however. attended, the
funeral in a body and the supreme court
adjourned over until after The scrvi,es.
Pending tho presidents de,isian not to go
20 indianapolis, the most elahorata nrcpar-
ations We're made by tho railroad officials
for ,he safe guarding OF his trats in cass
the journey should be made, special track
walkers. pilot engines and the Ike being
detailed 10 insure the safety OF the Whole
route
The vice president was at indianapolis
at the time of his death and through sin
guar set of circumstances. no one was In
the room when he expired
Tho law provides that when one OF the
cabinet officers succeeds to he presidency
he shall call special session Of congress !,
A provlsio limits the succession 10 those
who would be eligible TO the prcs'dency
under the terms OF the Constitution. and
who have been anpoiniel with the consent
of the senate. The effect of the law Il,
net to provide succession TO the vice
president, but merely TO insure success
zion 10 the presidency.
curious coincidence OF the death OF
Vice President Hobart Is found in he fact
that Of six vice presidents who have died
IN office, four died within few DAYS OF
tbs same day OF the month IN he yaar OF
their deaths, the death of NJ Hobart
beng the eis, OF November: that o. Mir.
Wilson the 22d OF November, ISIS: that
OF Elbridge Gerry November 90, 1914. ANA
that OF Thomas Hendricks November 25.
1855. The other two vice presidents who
died in office were Clinton and King. The
former died April 90. 1872 and the latter
Anrll H. 1853