Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-11-22
FLAGS AT HALF MAST.

WASHINGTON November N.-All
the flags in Washington are half-mast-
ed out of respect to the memory of Vice
President Hobart The announcement
of the Vice Presidents death, while net
unexpected, came as distinct shock
and cast a gloom over the city where
he was loved and honored. The news
was first received at the White House
ten minutes before o'clock in d pri-
waite message from Paterson. Tho
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 col
leagues death, and at once dispatched
telegram conveying the sympathy
and consolation of himself and Mrs.
Mckinley to Mrs. Hobart. Meantime
the sad news 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
Vice Presidency now falls, 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
Foster, of Washington, had Joined the
President and were with him when Sec
rotary Hay arrived. The Secretary re-
manned with the President about ten
minutes. He was visibly affected when
he left the White House. He said no
,4ex In do h11t
that the President and all the members
of his Cabinet would attend the fun
eral. 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 great personal bereavement.
Mrs. Mckinley was greatly affected
She gave way to her grief and sobbed
convulsively. Mrs. Mckinley has but
few intimates here, and among her most
cherished friends were the Vice Presi-
dent and Mrs. Hobart. President Nc
Kinley 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 were
made acquainted with the news as soon
as the President himself was informed,
by means of the telephone from the
White House. Secretary Hay hasten
ed over to the White House and had a
private conference with the President,
and then returned to the State Depart
ment to give orders for the execution
Of the official programme so far as the
government is concerned. First Mr..
Hay sent a private message to Mrs.
Hobart expressing his sincere condol-
ence, and then gave his attention to
the preparation of a proclamation an
nouncing the death of the Vice Presi-
dent to the people of the United States.
1t was also necessary to convey the
information to the nations Of the
world.
This was the day for the regular Cab
met meeting, and the members gathered
at the White House at IL o'clock, but
the death of the Vice President over
Swallowed all else, and public business
was not mentioned. All the members
of the Cabinet, especially Attorney Cen
eral Griggs, showed their emotion when
they left. Attorney General Griggs said
he would leave for Paterson immediate
ly after the Cabinet meeting. The At
torney General and Vice President Ho-
bart were probably closer than any
two men in public life in this admins
tration.