The Savannah morning news., 1901-05-17
WASHINGTON IN SHADOW.
uRs. SECRETARY GAGE is ALSO
VERY Low.

Mrs. Cages Alarming Condition
Naturally Tend to Depress Official
and social CfrcIes-Secretary, Gage
Is Like His Chief u Model Husband
Repairs to White House Have
Ceased ON Account of Probable
Early Return of Presidential
Party.
Washington May 16.-Mrs. MeKinley's
sarious illness in California, together with
the alarming reports from Mrs. Cages
sick ROOM has cast a gloomy shadow
aver official and social circles here. The
greatest interest is manifested in Mrs.
MoKinley's condition, for Washingtonians
have never ceased to wonder how the
fran and delicate wife of the President
has managed TO endure the social ordeal
through which she has passed. The Pres
ident comes in for a large share of SYM
nathy. for those who are familiar with
\ the beautiful home life of the President
4 and his wife. can appreciate how great
must be his suffering under the present
conditions.
When the presidential trip was origi-
naIy planned, many of the friends of Mrs.
Mckinley and her husband suggested that
such long and fatiguing journey might
he too exhausting for one so dehcately
4 constituted as Mrs Mckinley. The Presi-
q dent hesitated about being separated from
n his wife for so Tong a period and the lat
ter would not hear any proposition which
contemplated either the abandonment of
insisted that she was equal to the task,
and cheerfully remarked that other mem
bers of the party might fall by the way
side, but she was certain that but for
some unforeseen accident she would not
permit any indisposition on her part to
interfere with or delay the programme as
arranged.
1t is generally believed here that Mrs.
Mckinley has been threatened with
general breaking down for more than
year past, and only her indomitable
will and determination to relieve as
far as possible her husband from further
anxiety concerning her health has kept
rer up Every one who has observed
her during the past six, months as she
was assisted to and from her carriage by
two staiwart men could not help sympa-
thizing with her for the struggle she was
evidently making to appear cheerful, in
spite of her affection. Day after day.
tourists gathered on the White House
portico to see her take her daily drives.
On these occasions she endeavored to be
gracious To every one and frequently ex-
erted herself to bestow upon little chill
dren in the crowd some special mark of
attention. After seeing Mrs. Mckinley
suaI gers invariably expressed the most
profound sympathy for her in her deli
cate condition, and went away wondering
how long her remarkable supply of vital
ity would last.
Mrs. Cages Condition.
Mrs Gage has been in poor health for
several months past, but her condition
was not regarded as alarming until a
few days ago. Since she came to Wash
ington she has endeavored to fulfil all
the social requirements of a cabinet Off
GERS wife Naturally she is not fond of
what is known as official society In
Chicago she had a select circle of per-
sonal friends and her home life is de-
scribed as ideal by her personal friends
While residing in Washington she has felt
it her duty to the social demands imposed
upon her by her husbands position, and
it is feared she has overtaxed herself
She is a gracious hostess and her enter
tainments take first place in administra-
ton circles. Secretary Cages devotion
to his wife is similar to that which Pres
ident Mckinley shows for his life part
ner and every moment Secretary Gage
can spare from his desk in the Treasury
Department is spent in the sick room
with his invalid wife. For more than a
week past he has spent most of his days
at nome transacting' the public business
in his private library with the assistance
OF his private secretary and a desk tee-
phone.
Work stopped at White House.
In anticipation of an abbreviation of
the Presidents trip on account of Mrs.
McKinley's illness, several contemplated
improvements and repairs at the White
mouse have suddenly stopped. In view of
the failure of Congress to take kindly to
the proposition to enlarge the executive
mansion in accordance with the plans
submitted by the commission of public
buildings and grounds, number of mod
mcatons in the present structure We're
10 be made during the Presidents alb
sence large force of workmen was
assembled the day after the presidential
party left Washington and elaborate
preparations have been under way ever
HNolNihS thorough oVernaulng
OF the old structure and number of inn
provements which are calculated to add
10 the healthfuness and the convenience
OF me building. The news of Mrs. Me-
hlHleys illness and the suggestion that
IL might be necessary to bring her back
10 Washington, several weeks in advance
Of the time scheduled for her return, ac-
1--WE operations at the White House prac-
u'aily ceased. Seaffolding has been TAX
en- down, openings in the floors have
oeen closed and some of the interior dec
orauons, which were deemed necessary,
nave been temporarily suspended. The
center Of the building on the outside has
received a fresh coat of white paint. but
Ihe wings have not yet been touched, and
ae painters are instructed to delay that
WORK until after it is definitely decided
Mnen Mrs. Mckinley will come back to
Washington