The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-01
VICE PRESIDENT
HOBART'S ILLNESS
Statement Giving Origin and De-
velopmeat of Disease.
FACTS OF PRIVATE NATURE
Visit to Senator Hanna Was Very Tire
some Will Net Return TO Wash
ingtcn Nor Take Part in
Public Affairs

Paterson, N. J., October 31-The follow
ing statement of the origin and develop
ment of the illness of Vice-President Ho-
bart is authorized by his family and by the
physicians who have attended him:
''There are several reasons why the exact
nature of the vice-president' malady has
been withheld from the public. In the first
place the family has desired to reserve to
itself the privilege of retaining such facts
as were of a private nature, at the same
time recognizing the right of the public to
accrue information in the case of an invalid
holding high public office. Moreover, there
were reasons connected with the vice-pres-
idents relations with the government which
prompted similar policy. This was done,
however, not for the purpose of secrecy, but
to avoid embarrassment In addition the
effect of publicity upon the vice-presidents
health had to be considered. He was a
diligent reader of the newspapers, and it
was observed that the alarming reports
which crept into the papers and there met
the yioe-president's eye had most UNI
favorable effect For this reasons it was
deemed advisable to keep certain facts from
the public. Recently the family and physi-
clans have decided to place the facts more
clearly before those interested, and the fol-
lowing statement is, therefore, issued in
accordance with this plan
The dllness of the vice president may be
said to date from the fail of 1898, prior to
MS return to Washington in November. Ait
that time his physicians observed symptoms
OF embarrassed respiration with frequent
alUtacks OF angina pectoris. This condition
responded readily to treatment, and when
the vice president went to Washington in
the latter part OF November he was in good
hearth. lie stood remarkably well the
STRAIN and Excitement incidental to the
opening OF congress, and he was making
favorable progress until January, when ne
became victim OF DIE grippe. Following
Urls there was "a return of the heart trouble,
accompanied With signs of degeneraition
his adlIneM was diagnosed as dllated right
heart, due to mYo6arditis.
Toward the middle of March the vice
president and his family, together with the
presidential party, went to Townsville,
Ca, TO visit Senator Hanna. The fatigue of
the trip affected Mr.. Hobart very unfaVora-
bly, and his condition was further impaired
by the intense heat and humidity then pre-
vailing. As soon as possible he was taken
to Long Branch where beneficial results
from the sea air and quiet was expected.
His progress toward recovery was not
made, however, at the rate that was an
tleipated and trip to Lake Champlain
with the fatigue and exposure incidental
thereto fastened rather than retarded the
course Of his disease. Since then his system
has not responded TO the ministrations of
his physicians, and the critical condition
of the last few, days has been the result.
His attending and consulting physicians
have at all times agreed upon the nature
of his disease and upon the treatment of
it and the results to be expected.
1t is apparent from this statement that
the vice president is in no condition to
sumo his political duties at Washington
His family desire to announce that he will
not return to Washington, nor will he again
take part in public affairs. His condition
today is such that fatal result may en-
sue at any moment, or his present condition
may be Indefinitely prolonged.