The Topeka state journal., 1899-11-21
THE NEWS Ar WASHINGTON.
Mrs Mckinley sobs Convulsively on
Hearing of Mr. Hobart's Death.

Mrs Mckinley SObS COnvulS1Vely on
Hearing of Mr. Hobart's Death
Washington, Nov. 2L-Au the flags
in Washington are half masted out of
respect to the memory of Vice Presi-
dent Hobart. The announcement of the
vice presidents death while not uneX-
pected came as distinct shock and
cast a deep gloom over the city where
he was loved and hOnored. The news
was first received at the White House
ten minutes before 9 O'Clock in a private
message from Paterson The flag over
the executive mansion was Immediately
hauled down to half mast and the doors
of the mansion closed to the public.
The president was deeply affected by
the telegram announcing his colleagues
death and at once dispatched a tele-
ISOLATION of himself and Mrs. Mckinley
to Mrs. Hobart. Meantime the sad in
teIligence had been bulletined by all the
newspaper offices and the whole city
was soon mourning the loss of the vice
president.
Secretary of State Hay upon whom
the succession to the presidency now
falls heard the news upon his arrival at
the state department and he immed-
lately repaired to the White House
Meantime Senator Fairbanks of In
diana and Senator Foster of Washing
ton had Joined the president and We're
with him when Secretary Hay arrived.
The secretary remained with the presi
dent about ten minutes. He was Vls1bly
affected when he left the White House.
He said no arrangements had yet been
made but that the president and all
the members of his cabinet would at
tend the funeral.
President Mckinley was deeply
moved and when Senator Fairbanks
had left he Joined Mrs. Mckinley in
his private apartments. His close and
intimate relations with his colleague
made him feel the vice presidents
death as a great personal bereavement
Mrs Mckinley was greatly affected.
She gave way completely to her grief
and sobbed cOnvulsively. Mrs. McKin-
ley 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 office 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 in
formed. by means of telephone from
the White House. Secretary Hay
haStened over to the White House and
had a private conference with the
president and then returned to the
state department to give orders for
the execution of official programme so
far as the government is concerned.
First Mr.. Hay sent private message
to Mrs. Hobart expressing his sincere
coincidence and then gave his attention
to the preparation of a proclamation
announcing the death of the vice presi-
dent to the people of the United States.
1t was also necessary to convey the in
formation to the nations of the world.
This was the day for the regular
cabinet meeting and the members
gathered at the White House at II
O'Clock, but the death of the vice presi-
dent OvershadOWed all else and public
business was not mentioned. All the
members of the cabinet especially At
torney 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
We're probably closer than any two men
in public life in this adminiStra ton.
Mr.. Gage, the secretary of the treas
ury, said:
He was noble Illustration of the
typical American. Educated in our
schools. his mind was brOadened and
which comes from the burdens and re-
spOnsibilities of active business life
Though closely associated in large af-
fairs, he kept unsullied those high
ideals which are inseparabIe from a
true love of Justice and equity. He was
so kind in the general expression of his
personality as to win immediate affec-
tiOnate regard of every one fortunate
enough to come into relations with
him. While his political convictions
We're firmly held he was just and con-
siderate to his political opponents and
among those who will cherish his
memory the longest are those who radi-
caily differed with him in his political
creed
To that large group who knew him
in the intimacy of social life. his taking
off viii bring a grievous sense of ire
parable loss. In his death the country
loses saga aciOus statesman, whose de
parture VIII be mOurned by all his pO-
Htical associates. without regard to
party affiliations