The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-17
THOUSANDS VIEW BODY
IMPRESSIVE SCENE IN HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
ACTION OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE
No Sessions Were Held for the Transaction Of
Business. The Oath of Office Admin.
stered TO Jonathan Ross,
MoriiI's Successor.
morrill, S Successor.

Washington, Jan. 16.-A State funer-
al, almost majestic in its impressiveness,
was given the late Representative Mel
son Dingley at noon to-day in the House
of Representatives, where he has so
long been 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 military
and civil life were ranged about his
bier on the floor of the hall while the
galleries, to which admission could he
obtained only by gard, were occupied by
the families of those who sat upon the
floor and other prominent persOnages in
vited to be present. Some of them. like
a delegation from the New York Cham
ber of Commerce, had come from dis
tance to pay their last tribute of respect
to the dead statesman.
The caSket was placed on bier in the
area in front of the marble rostrum of
the speaker and for an hour the public,
which would have no opportunity to wit
ness the official ceremonies later, was al
lowed to view the remains as they lay in
state Thousands of people streamed
through the main door past the casket
and gaZed upon the calm. serene fea-
lures of the dead during that hour Some
could with difficulty be induced by the
police to move away from the casket
The decorations of the hall ~xere simple,
but strikingly beautiful and there was
profusion of flowers.
AZ.
Rev. s. M. Newman of the First Con
gregational church of this city, assisted
by Rev. DIR. Couden, chaplain of the
House. 1t was a very simple service
Dr. Newman's eulogy of the dead states
man was touching and beautiful.
When Rev. Newman delivered the
benediction the entire assemblage arose
the galleries as well as those on the floor.
President Mckinley in passing out paus-
ed while he gazed sadly at the features
of his dead friend. When all had de-
parted save the members of the House
Mr.. Boutelle (Maine) moved that the
House adjourn as a further mark of re-
spect The motion was adopted and ac-
cordingly at 12:55 p. III. the speaker de-
clared the House adjourned.
The body lay in state in the hall of the
House until shortly before the time for
the departure of the special train which
is to convey the remains and the party
to Lewiston. 1t was then taken to the
Pennsylvania station whence the train
departed at 4:10 p. m. over the Penn
sylvania Railroad as the second section
of the Congressional Limited. The train
consisted of four Pullmans and a bag
gage car. One of the cars was occupied
by the family and the others by the re-
maInder of the party, the joint commits
sion of the House and Senate, the Off
GERS of the House and delegation from
the Merchants and Manufacturers
Board of Trade of New York.
SENATOR MORRILLS SUCCESSOR
Washington, Jan. 16.-The Senate held
no session for the transaction of business
today. When the body convened it pro-
ceeded at once, in accordance with the
resolution adopted on Saturday last, to
8the hall of the House of Representa-
tives to attend as body the obsequies
of the late Representative Nelson Ding
ley.
At ] o'clock the Senate returned to its
chamber. After the reading of the jour
nal Mr.. Proctor (VermonO presented
the credentials of Jonathan Ross, APP
pointed by Governor Edward C. Smith,
of Vermont, to fill the unexpired term of
the late Senator Justin S. Morrill, The
credentials were read then, escorted by
Mr.. Proctor, Mr.. Ross proceeded to the
clerks desk. where the oath of office was
administered to him by Vice-P President
Hobart.
Then at 1:07 p. M, on motion of Mr..
Allison, the Senate adjourned until to-
morrow.