The Sauk Centre herald., 1899-11-23
Flags at Washington Lowered in
Honor Of Vice President
Hobart.
Cabinet Meeting Suspended and
the Attorney General Starts
For Paterson
To Consult as to Funeral Ar.
rangements 80 Cabinet Will
Attend.

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
unexpected, came as a distinct shock,
and cast deep gloom over the city
where he was loved and honored. The
news was first received at the White
House, 10 minutes before o'clock, in q
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 the SYM
pathy and consolation of himself and
Mrs. Mckinley to Mrs. Hobart. Mean
time the sad intelligence bad been bull
letined by all the newspaper Offices, and
the whole city was soon mourning the
loss OF the vice president.
A Personal Bereavement.
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 imme-
diately repaired to the White House.
Meantime Senator Fairbanks of Indiana
and Senator Foster of Washington had
joined the president and was with him
when Secretary Hay arrived. The Sec
retary remained with the president
abont 10 minutes. He was visibly af-
fectrd when he left the White House.
He lid that no arrangements had yet
been made but that the president and
all the members of his cabinet would
attcid the funeral. President McKin-
To- IS deeply moved and when Senator
Fairbanks left he Joined Mrs. Mckinley
in his private apartments. His close
and intimate relations with his col
league made him feel the vice presi-
dents death as great personal bereave-
ment. Mrs. Mckinley was greatly af-
fected. She gave way completely to
her grief and sobbed convulslvely. Mrs.
Mckinley has but few intimates here
and among her most cherished friends
were the vice president and Mrs. Ho-
bart. 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.
Cabinet Meeting Postponed.
The members of the cabinet were
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 hast
ened over to the White House and had
q private conference with the president
and returned to the state department to
give orders for the execution of the off,
cial programme, so far as the govern
ment is concerned. First Mr.. Hay sent
q private message to Mrs. Hobart ex-
pressing sympathy and coincidence, and
then gave his attention to the prepara-
tion of proclamation announcing the
death OF the vice president to the peo-
pie of the United States.
It 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 gath
cred at the White House at II o'clock,
but the death of the vice president
overshadowed all else and public busi-
ness was not mentioned.
All the members of the cabinet, espe-
cially Attorney General Griggs, showed
the emotion which they felt.
Attorney General Griggs left during
the afternoon for Paterson. He goes
as the personal representative Of the
president and cabinet and will arrange
with the family Of Mr.. Hobart for the
funeral. The entire matter is left in
his hands so far as the official feature
of the ceremony are concerned. After
the cabinet meeting the president is
sued proclamation officially announc-
ing the death of the vice president.