The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1899-01-19
LAST HONORS
Funeral of the Late Representa-
tive Dingley in the
House
An Unusually Impressive 0cca
sion--O Official Washington
Present,
Including the President, Cabinet
Senate and Diplomatic
Corps.
Remains Lay in State for an
Hour Previous to the
Exercises.

WAsH1NGToN Jan. ia state
funeral, almost majestic in, its impress
siveness, was given the late Represents
tive Dingley at noon in the house OF
representatives, where he has so long
been such commanding figure. The
president, his cabinet, distinguished
members of the diplomatic corps, mem
bers of the supreme court, senate and
house and distinguished men in mill
tary and civil life, were ranged about
his bier on the floor of the hall, while
the galleries, to which admission could
be obtained only by card, were occupied
by the families of those who sat upon
the floor, and prominent persons in
vited to be present. Some of them, like
delegation from the New York cham
Der of commerce, had come from dis
lance to pay their last tribute of respect
to the dead statesman.
In State for an Hour.
Not since the late William d. Kelley
of Pennsylvania was given state fune-
raj in the house during the Fifty-frst
congress, while President Mckinley
was chairman of the ways and means
committee, has such an honor been ac-
corded a member of the house. The re-
mains were taken from the Hotel Ham
ilton to the Capitol at 10 o'clock, and
were borne into the hall of representa-
tives by squad of capitol police, under
the direction of Sergeant-at-Arms
Russell. The casket was placed
on bier in the area in
front of the rostrum of the speaker.
and for an hour the public, which would
have no opportunity to witness the off
cia1 ceremonies later, was allowed to
view the remains as they lay in state.
Thousands of people streamed through
the main door down past the casket, and
gazed upon the calm, serene features of
the dead. during that hour. Some could
with difficulty be induced by the police
to move away from the casket.
The house pages and other employees
of the house entered the line and took
last view of the revered statesman. Mr..
Dingley was well loved by the employees
of the house. and there We're tears in
many eyes,. The decorations of the hall
were simple, but strikingly beautiful
Palms relieved the rigid corners and
palm leaves arranged in the form of a
trefoil planted in wreaths of galax leaves
tied with long streamers of purple
adorned the walls. A cluster of roses
and palm leaves were arranged on each
section of the brass railing about the
rear of the hall. This simple scheme of
decoration eliminated about the ros-
trum beneath which the remains lay.
Out in the waste of seats while the
body lay in state, a single desk was
draped in black and covered with roses
and lilies.
The Services Proper.
During the interval before 10, almost
every member of the house who is in
the city came in and stood for moment
by the casket with bowed head and gazed
for the last time on the familiar features
Meantime the galleries had filled.
At Has the stream of people which
had been fling by the bier was inter-
rupted, and the members OF the house
began seating themselves on the left Of
the main aisle in the rear of the chairs
reserved for the family. Speaker Reed
called the house to order. An air of
deep sadness pervaded the hall as the
members rose to listen to the brief and
simple prayer of the chaplain.
I'M. IL Il 4 -. CT
adopted on Saturday after the announce.
ment of Mr.. Dingley's death. The CLERK
of the senate announced the passage Of
similar resolutions by the senate.
Omcial Washington Present.
Immediately thereafter the vice presi
dent and the senate entered the cham.
Der in a body and were followed by the
diplomatic corps, with whom came the
members of the Anglo-American COM
mission, of which Mr. Dingley had been
a member. The members of the corps
wore mourning attire. At the head of
the diplomatic corps was the venerable
dean, the British ambassador, Sir Julian
Pauncefote. Then followed the chief
Justice and associate justices of the SUI
preme court in their sombre robes, and
they in turn were followed by the presi-
dent and his cabinet.
A deep hush fell upon the assemblage.
Suddenly out of the loft in the rear of
the press gallery, came notes Of an organ
pulsating and echoing through the hall.
1t was the first time in the history of
the house of representatives that music
had been heard in it. A quartette sang
impressively, Crossing the Bar.
The services were conducted by the
Rev.S. M. Newman of the First Con
gregational church of this city, assisted
by Rev. DR.. Cowden, chaplain of the
house.
The services were very simple and at
their conclusion the house adjourned
for the day. The senators retired ,tos
their chamber and took similar action.