Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-11-01
HObart'S Illness

Patterson, N. j.. Nov. 1.-The following
statement of the origin and development
of the illness of Vice President Hobart is
authorized by his family and physicians
who haye attended him:
There are several reasons why the ex-
act nature of the vice presidents malady
have been withheld from the public. In
the first place the family have desired to
reserve to itself the privilege of retaining
such facts as We're of a private nature, at
the same time recognizing the risht of the
public to accurate information in the case
of an invalid holding high public office.
Moreover. there We're reasons connected
with the vice presidents relations with
the government which prompted a SINH
lar 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 pers and it was OBJ
served that the alarming reports which
crept into the papers and there met the
vice presidents eye had a most unfavor,
able effect. For this reason il was deem
ed advisable to keep certain facts from
the public. Recently the family and ply
sicians have decided to place the facts
more clearly before those interested and
the statement is therefore issued in ac-
cordance With the plan.
'The illness of the vice president may
be said to date from the fall of 1898,
prior to his return to Washington in No
Vcmber. At that time his physicians OBJ
served symptoms of embarrassed respira-
ton. With frequent attacks of angina
pectoris. This condition responded read
lily to treatment, and when the vice presi-
dent went to Washington in the latter
part of November he was in good health.
:" fnNr months oftaryarIc tnunv1 tho
middle of March, the vice president and
his family, together With the presidential
party, went to ~Thomasville. Ga. to visit
Senate Hanna. The fatigue of the trip
affected Mr.. Hobart very ~unfaNorably,
and his condition was further impaired
by the intense heat and humidity then
prevailing. AS 500 as possible he was
taken to Long Branch, where beneficial
results from the sea air and quiet We're
expected. His progress toward %ecovery
was not made, however, at the rate it
was anticipated. and a trip to Lake
Champlain, with the fatigue and exposure
incident thereto, FASTENED rather than
retarded the course of his disease. Since
then his system has not responded to the
lsinistration of his physicians. and the
critical condition of the last few days has
been the result.
at should be added that ever since his
illness became serious the vice president
has had the benefit of the best medical
attendance and treatment. His attending
and consulting physicians have at al
times agreed upon the nature of his dis
ease and upon the treatment of it and the
results to be expected. 1t is apparent
from this statement that the vice presi-
dent is in no condition to resume his pc.
litical duties at Washington. His family
desire, therefore. to thai he
will not return to Washington. nor Will
he again take part in public affairs. His
condition today Is such that a fatal re-
suit may ensue at any moment or his
present condition may be indefinitely pro-
longed."