The record-union., 1899-11-22
SORROW AT WASHINGTON.
News of Hobart's Death Casts
Gloom Over the City.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.-All the
flags in Washington are half-masted
put of respect to the memory OF Vice
President Hobart. The announcement
of his death cast gloom over the city,
where he was loved and honored- Inc
news was first received at the White
House ten minutes before O'CLOCK IN
a private message from Paterson. The
flag over the Executive Mansion was
hauled down Immediately to half-mast,
and the Mansion closed to the public.
The President was deeply affected by
the telegram announcing his colleagues
death, and at once dispatched a tele-
gram conveying the sympathy and con-
ISOLATION of himself and Mrs. Mckinley
to Mrs. Hobart.
Secretary of State Hay heard the
news upon his arrival at the State De-
partment, and Immediately repaired to
the White House. Meantime Senator
Fairbanks of Indiana and Senator Fos-
ter of Washington had Joined tie Pres
ident, and were with him when Secre-
tary Hay arrived. The Secretary re-
manned with the President about ten
minutes. He was visibly affsc ed when
he left the White House. He said the
President and all his Cabinet would at
tend the funeral.
After Senators Fairbanks and Foster
had gone, the President retired TO his
private apartments. His close and intl-
mate relation with his colleague made
him feel the Vice Presidents death as
a personal bereavement. Mrs Mckin-
ley was greatly affected She gave
way completely to her grief, and sobbed
ccnvulsively. Mrs. Mckinley has but
few intimates here. and among her
most cherished friends were the Vice
President and Mrs. Hobart. President
Mckinley did all he could TO comfort
his wife, and did not return to his Of
flee until the members of the Cabinet
began TO arrive.
The members of the Cabinet We're
made acquainted with the sad news as
soon as the President himself was n
formed, by means of telephone from
the White House.
Secretary Hay, after his conference
with the President. returned to the
State Department to give orders for
the execution of the official program
so far the Government is concerned.
First MIR. Hay sent a private message
to Mrs. Hobart expressing his sincere
coincidence, and then gave his atten-
tion to the preparation of a proclama
ton announcing the death of the Vice
President to the people of the United
States. 1t was also necessary to CON
vey the news to the nations of the
world.
This was the regular Cabinet meet
ing day, and the members gathered at
the White House at IL o'clock but the
death of the Vice President overshad-
owed all else. and public business was
not mentioned. All the members of the
Cabinet, especially Attorney General
Griggs, showed the emotion which they
felt. Attorney General Griggs said he
would leave for Paterson Immediately
after the Cabinet meeting. The Attor-
ney General and Vice President Hobart
were probably closer than any two
men in public life in this administra-
ton.
Mr.. Gage, the Secretary of the Treas
ury, said:
He was a noble illustration of the
typical American. Educated in our
schools his mind was broadened and
1ipsnsd by the practical discipline which
comes from the burdens and RESPONSE
bilitieS of active business life. Though
closely associated in large affairs, he
kept unsullied those high ideals which
are inseparable from a. true love of jus
tice and equity. He was so kind in
the general expression of his person
ality as to win Immediately the affec-
tionate regard of everyone fortunate
enough to come into relations with him.
While his political convictions We're
firmly held. he was just and consid-
crate to his political opponents, and
among those who viii cherish his mem
ory the longest are those who radically
differed with him in his political creed
''To that large group who knew him
in the intimacy of social life his TAX
ing off Will bring a grievous sense of
irreyocable loss. In his death the
country loses a sagacious statesman.
whose departure will be mourned by all
his political associates. without regard
to party affiliations"