Evening star., 1899-01-02
SUBSTANTIAL HOPE
Favorable Symptomsin Mr.. Dingley's
Case Increasing.
CONSULTATION OF PHYSICIANS
The Distinguished Patient, How
ever, is Very Seriously III.
HIS DEVOTION TO DUTY

Sidi Su liliS IlOIiIlllS dI lU CLOCK 10 snow
| a little improvement over yesterday. His
temperature was not so high this morn
ing and his circulation was strong. Only
one lung is affected thus far, but he is,
| nevertheless, a very sick man and is by no
means out of danger.
AT 10 o'clock DIR. Deale his attendant
| physician, who had remained at Mr. Ding
leys bedside all of yesterday and last
night, left the distinguished patient for a
little while to get some breakfast, impart-
ing to the family before going the news of
the encouraging symptoms which he had
observed.
Mrs. Dingley and her daughter are the
only members of the family now in Wash
ngton, but information of Mr.. Dingley's
critical condition was telegraphed to his
absent and other relatives. They
were not summoned to Washington, how
ever, and will not come unless it should
become apparent that recovery is hopeless.
All day long yesterday stream of dis
tinguShed callers and numerous meSsen-
gers from officials public men of note and
persons prominent in official life made in
Quiry at the hotel about Mr.. Dngleys con-
dition. His range of acquaintance is wide,
extending into every circle, by reason of his
long residence in Washington and his
prominent connection with the legislative
branch of the government Some of those
who came today TO make anxious inquiry
about him Were from the humber walks of
life, for Mr.. Dingley is democratic in his
mingling with people. and his friendships
are not confined to the dignitaries of the
land.
Sudden Development of His Illness.
Mr.. Dingiey's severe illness was a painful
surprise to his friends He was stricken
ST ddenly, and the serious stage came swift
| ly. Last Tuesday he was in his usual
health and spirits and conversed with a
| Star reporter, who called on him that day
at the Hamilton, upon current legislative
subjects. There was then no indication
| that he was on the verge of a severe ILL
| ress. Wednesday afternoon he had cold
| but not enough to deter him from visiting
a friend who was sick. Wednesday night
he did not feel so well, and Thursday morn
ing he remained in bed.
| 1t was thought then by his family that he
only had touch of the grip and his
naming in bed was more of precautionary
measure than otherwise. He rapidly grew
worse, however, and Saturday night pneu-
monia developed.
| DR.. Deale, Mr.. Dingleys physician, de-
cided yesterday morning to call in another
practitioner for consultation. and sum-
| moned Dr. Franck Hyatt. 1t was found
that the pneumonia had reached a severe
stage, although everything possible
| done to check it.
Toward evening yesterday the anxious
watchers by Mr.. Dingleys bedside noted a
slight improvement in his condition. He
himself was not aware that his ailment was
SO serious, and was very cheerful. Once
he spoke of the possibility of pneumonia
setting in, not realizing that he was then
suffering from it. The most unremittine
care md attention was given him through
out the night by his family and trained
nurse, and this morning the watchers were
rewarded by the encouraging symptoms
which were apparent to the doctor
Hardsvor1>inS Legislator.
Mr.. Dingley is sxty-six years of age, and
that fact makes pneumonia more dangerous
to him. He is a remarkably well-preserved
man, however, and would easily pass as
being ten years younger. He is not of ro-
bust build, but since he has been in Con-
gress has not been particularly subject TO
physical indisposition.
The last year or two have been severe
upon Mr.. Dtnsley, and he has been taxed
at times to a degree which would affect a
harder man. This fall and winter have
been Unusually hard upon him, and in ad-
dition to his official duties he has been
forced to respond to social requirements
He is member of the high joint commits
sion, which has been engaged since late in
the summer considering commercial ques-
uons at issue between Canada and the
United States.
His position the commission necessi-
tated the closest attention to the work in
hand, and also involved a great deal of
study and research. Mr.. Dingley devoted
himself to the task with his accustomed
zeal and pursued it without regard to his
personal comfort when that was necessary.
While the public has not heard much of the
work of the high joint commission. it has
been exceedingly taxing at times upon the
members of the commission, and especially
upon the Americans, who have experienced
pressure from many quarters in attempting
to solve the difficult problems presented.
Prior to taking part in the deliberations
of the joint high commission Mr.. .Dingley had
passed through more than ordinarily ardu-
Gus session of Congress. AS a leader of the
majority in the House, he was compelled to
exert constant watchfulness during the ex-
citing times prior to the Spanish war, when
the CLban question was under consdera-
ton. His presence in his seat was required
almost continually during the daily ses-
sions, lasting always until 5 o'clock, and
sometimes until g. He took part in all the
debates, and kept close tab upon current
legislation of a minor character, as well as
the more important measures
During the War.
When war was declared the ways and
means committee, of which Mr.. Dngley is
chairman, was called upon to provide the
revenues to conduct the war bond bill
was reported and passed to bring imme-
diate returns of cash to the treasury and
the internal revenue tax bill was prepared.
This was work which required great care
and attention to detail, and Mr. Dingley
gave his full energies to it, at the same
time relaxing none of his duties as the
leader of the House
When Congress adjourned Mr. Dingley
sought a brief vacation at his cottage on
Boothbay Harbor, Me-, but his period of
rest and recreation was shortened by the
convening of the high joint commission at
Quebec. When the commission came to
Washington this winter to hold its sessions
Mr.. Dingley attended the meetings in the
forenoons and then went to the House
when it assembled at II o'clock, thus often
performing double duty in a day.
The social courtesies extended the mem
bers of the high joint commission Were par
ticipated in by Mr.. Dingley, and for the
past six weeks or two months he has really
over-exerted himself every day and has not
allowed himself the-rest which he required
The preparation and passage of the Ding
ley tariff bill at the extra session of this
Congress, following the incoming of the
present administration, devolved upon Mr.
Dingley an arduous task, as chairman of
the committee, but he accomplished it with
out seriously affecting his health.
Favorable symptoms Increasing.
Shortly before noon today Dr. Deale and
DR.. Hyatt held another consultation oyar
Mr.. Dingley and found that the favorable