The Topeka state journal., 1899-11-01
A RESTFUL NIGHT.
Vice President Hobart Is Rest ng
Comfortably.


Paterson, N. J., Nov. 1.-Vice Presi-
dent Hobart was asleep at 7:30 a. m.
and had passed a restfuI night. DR..
Newton, who slept at the house was not
called during the night The family did
not watch at the bedside all night as
they have been doing recently.
The following statement of the origin
and development of the illness of Vice
President Hobart is authorized by his
family and by the physicians who have
attended him:
exact nature of the vice presidents
malady has been withheld from the
public. In the first place the family
have 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 accurate information in the case of
an invalid holding high public Office.
Moreover, there were reasons connected
with the vice presidents relations with
the government which prompted a SIM
liar policy. This was done, however.
not for the purpose of secrecy. but to
avoid embarrassment. In addition the
effect of publicity upon the vice presi-
dents 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 vice presidents eye had
a most unfavorable effect. For this rea-
son it was deemed advisable to keep
certain facts from the public. Recently
the family and his physicians have de-
cided to place the facts more clearly
before those interested and the state
ment is therefore issued in accordance
with the plan.
1.-The illness of the vice president may
be said to date from the fall of 1888,
prior to his return to Washington, in
November. At that time his physicians
observed symptoms of embarrassed re-
spiration, with frequent attacks of an
gina 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
health. He stood remarkably well the
strain and excitement incidental to the
opening of congress and he was making
favorable progress until in January he
became a victim of the grip. Following
this was a return of heart trouble, ac-
cOmpanied with signs of degeneration.
His ailment was diagnosed as dilated
right heart due to myocarditiS. The re-
covery from this attack was less rapid,
and on the last day of the session of
the senate the strain and excitement OF
delivering the closing speech were so
great that he was on the verge of a
collapse.
"a few weeks after toward the middle
of March, the vice president and his
family, together with the presidential
party went to ThOmasville, Ga, to visit
Senator Hanna. The fatigue of the trip
affected Mr.. Hobart very unfavOrably
and his condition was further impaired
by the intense heat and humidity then
prevailing. AS soon as possible he was
taken to Long Branch, where beneficial
results from the sea air and quiet were
Fexpected. His progress towards recov-
cry was not made, however, at the rate
that was anticipated and a trip to Lake
-Champlain, with the fatigue and expos
pre- incidental thereto hastened rather
than retarded the course of his disease.
Since then his system has not respond
ed to the ministrations of his physi-
clans and the critical condition of the
last few days has been the result
''It should be added that ever since
his illness became serious the vice
president has had the benefit of the
best medical attendance and trea atment.
His attending and consulting physi-
clans have at all times agreed upon the
nature of his disease and upon the
treatment of it, and the results to be
expected.
'It is apparent from this statement
that the vice president is in no condf-
tion to resume his political duties at
Washington. His family desire there
fore to announce that he will not re-
turn to Washington nor will he again
take part in public affairs. His condi-
| tion today is such that a fatal result
may ensue at any moment or his pres
ent condition may be indefinitely pro-
| 1onged.''