Omaha daily bee., 1899-11-22
WASHINGTON is in MOURNING
President Deeply Affected and Mrs.
Mckinley Gives Way to Tears
-FInEs at Half Mast.

WARRINGTON, Nov. 21.-Al the flags in
Washington are halfmasted out of respect
to the memory of Vice President Hobart.
The announcement of the vice president 8
death, while not unexpected, came as a dis
tinct shock and cast deep gloom over the
city where he was loved and honored. The
news was first received at the White house
ten minutes before nine o'clock in 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 an
nouncing his colleagues death, and at once
dispatched a telegram conveying the SYM
pathy and consolation of himself and Mrs.
Mckinley to Mrs. Hobart. Meantime the
news had been bulletined by all 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 on his arrival at the State
department, and he Immediately repaired to
the White house. Meanwhile Senator Fair
banks OF Indiana and Senator Foster Of
Washington had Joined the president and
were with him when Secretary Hay arrived.
The secretary was visibly affected. He said
no arrangements had been made, but the
president and all the members of his cabinet
would attend the funeral. President McKin-
ley 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 to her
grief and sobbed convulsvely. Mrs, Nc
Kinley 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 were made ac-
quainted with the sad news as soon as the
president himself was informed by means Of
telephone from the White House. Secretary
Hay fastened 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 the official
program so far as the government is con-
cerned. At first Mr.. Hay sent private mes
sage to Mrs. Hobart, expressing his sincere
coincidence, and then gave his attention to
the preparation of a proclamation announc-
ing the death of the vice president to tho
necessary to convey the information to the
nations OF the world.
This was the day of the regular cabinet
meeting and the members gathered at the
White House at II O'Clock, but the death of
the vice president overshadowed all else and
public business was not mentioned. All the
members of the cabinet, especially Attorney
General Griggs. showed the emotion which
they felt. Attorney General Griggs said he
would leave for Paterson Immediately after
the cabinet meeting. The attorney general
and Vice President Hobart were probably as
close as any two men in public life In this
administration.
Mr.. Gage, the secretary of the treasury,
said: HE was a noble illustration of the
typical American Educated in our schools,
his mind was broadened and ripened by the
practical discipline which comes from the
burdens and responsibilities OF active busi-
ness life. Though closely associated In large
affairs, he kept unsullied those high ideals
which are inseparable from a true love of
justice and equity. He was SO kind in the
general expression of his personality as to
win Immediately the affectionate regard of
every one fortunate enough to come into
relations with him. While his political con-
yictions We're firmly held. he was just and
considerate to his political opponents and
among those who will cherish his memory
the longest are those who radically differed
with him in his political creed
ITO that large group who knew him In the
intimacy Of social life. his taking OFF will
bring grevious sense of irreparable loss.
In his death the country loses a sagacious
statesman, whose departure will be mourned
by all his political associates without regard
to party Affiliations"
Sergeant -at-Arms Bright OF the senate has