The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-01-01
IN THE SENATE CHAM Der
SERVICES CONDUCTED WITH IN
PRESSIyE DIGNITY.
TRIBUTE TO THE DECeAseD's MEMORY
President, Vice President, Members of Cab net,
Justices of Supreme Court, Senator'S
and Representatives and Army
and Navy Men There.
and Navy Men There.

Washington, Dec 31-Funeral services
over the late Senator Justin S. Merrill,
of Vermont. were held in the United
States Senate chamber ut noon today.
They We're conducted with impressive
dignity in the presence of distinguished
assemblage, including the President and
Vice President of the United States.
members of the Cabinet Justices of the
Supreme Court, Senators and Represen-
tatives in Congress, the Speaker of the
House and representatives of the army,
navy and of the Dipomatic Corps. rs
well as a concourse of private citizens
who took this means Of testifying the
affectionatc regard in which Mr.. Nor
rill was universally held.
Early in the day the remains were
borne from the family residence on Mas
sachusetts Avenue to the capitol. There
was no service at the house. and the
funeral cortege was simple and formal.
Arriving there the casket was carried
direct TO the Senate chamber and de-
posted in the semi-circular area imme-
diately in front of the presiding officers
desk The casket was of rich. hut SIM
pie design. with black broadcloth COW
ering and heavy oxydized silver handles.
A silver plate on top bore the inscription:
JUSTIN SMITH MORRILL,.
's1S10-1S9s."
After the willing hands Of Senate em-
ployes, who had so long served the Sena-
tor in life, had arranged the multitude
of flowers which had been sent, the lid
Of the casket was removed, disclosing the
calm and peaceful face of the dead
statesman.
Banked high on the lower part Of the
casket. all about it and covering the
desks up to the presiding officers desk.
was profusion of plants. flowers, floral
emblems. palms and garlands of galax
leaves. The vacant chair and desks in
the front row and to the left of the
presiding officer. SO long used by Mr..
Morrill,. were draped in black crepe.
BY IL o'clock the public galleries were
filled to overhowing with crowds who
had braved driving rain. Exactly at
noon the ceremony began, Vice President
Hobart, accompanied by Speaker Reed,
taking seats at the presiding officer S
desk. while the President. Cabinet SUI
preme Court Justices. Senators and Rep
resentatiyes entered unannounced.
Mr.. Mckinley walked with Secretary
Gage, proceeding up the aisle to large
leather chair facing the casket and inn
mediately alongside it. This was occu-
pied by the President, while next to
him. facing the casket. sat Secretaries
Gage, Long. Alger, Bliss. Wilson, Post
master General Emory Smith. Attorney
- General Griggs and Secretary to the
q @president. Porter The large assem-
blage on the floor and in the galleries.
rose and remained standing until the
Presidential party was seated. Ranged
back of them were the honorary com
nittee of Senators and Representatives,
most of them white-haired and venerable
associates of Mr.. Morrill, They wore
white mourning bands from shoulders to
lip Chief Justice Fuller and Justices
Brown and McKenna were with the
large representation of Senators and
Representatives filling the body of the
chamber. Former Senator John Sher-
man. who became a member of the
House with Mr.. Morrill, in 1850, was
present Directly alongside the aisle
from the President and TO the left of
the casket sat the family group, Mr..
James Swan Morrill,, SON. Doctor and
Miss Swan. brother-in-law and sister-in
law Of the deceased Aside from the
officials present. number OF ladleS
were admitted to the floor.
The hOnarary committee of Senators
consisted of Messrs. Proctor, Hoar
Cullom. Wolcott, Jones. of Arkansas
\ Chandler, German, Tillman, Jones, ol
\ Nevada; Morgan. Fairbanks, Faulkner
Mitchell and Nelson That Of the Hons,
WAS Representatives Dingley. Grant
M l. 4
kewis. Wheeler and Catchings. Messrs
hngley and Wheeler We're not able tt
iAch the city in time for the ceremony
A\hush fell on the assemblage as tht
laA of the officials We're escorted TO their
seas. and choir stationed in the CALLER,
bach of the presiding officer in subduet
toneA sang Lead, Kindly Light
Re-. Il. Bradford. OF All Souls church
hegah the burial service with selection:
from she Psalms His tribute to tn,
memoA Of the deceased was heartfelt
and el4uent.
Againt voices Of the choir fioatet
through the Senate chamber. singin;
"NearerMy God to Thee" Then Will
rDlifted hnds the blind chaplain Of th,
Senate, lev. Dr. Milburn, delivered tn
closing irAocation his voice tremblin.
with emotpn as he extolled this sweet
gracious aid noble character.
1t was Ilo'clock when the ceremon,
concluded. pd the President and Cabi
net led the Way past the casket, taking
final look aA the calm. silent face, an
the other officials retired. The caske
remained in the Senate chamber, wher