Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-09-19

Washington, Sept. 15.-The news OF
the death of President Mckinley came
as crushing blow to the national capl-
tai. Nowhere perhaps had the cltlZens
been so full of confidence in the ultl-
mate recovery of their beloved presl-
dent, and the buoyant bulletins OF the
past week from the sick bed had lulleo
them into a false sense of security
which made the shock terrible when the
news that the Buffalo tragedy Woulo
have a fatal ending came to them.
When the blow fell and official an
nouncement came that President NC
Kinley had passed away at 2:15 o'clock
the crowds which had been on the
streets restlessly and sorrowfully
awaiting news of the end had retired
for the night, as had all the govern.
ment officials save a few clerks at the
state. war and navy departments. Sec
rotary Hay he'd given directions what
should be done and Acting Chief Clerk
Martin and other employees as soon as
they received
Official Confirmation
of the news Immediately sent cable
grams to each and every United States
ambassador and minister and charge,
where these We're absent from their
posts, notifying them that President
Mckinley died at 2:15 o'clock this
morning in Buffalo, and instructing
them to so inform the governments to
which they were accredited.
There were no details in the mes.
sages-nothing but the brief announce
ment. and they were identical in lam
guage, except in the names of the per-
sons addressed. The ambassadors and
ministers were expected to commune
cate the information in turn to the
United States consular officers within
the limits of their posts. In cases of
countries like Australia and Canada,
where the United States government is
not represented in a diplomatic capac-
ity, messages of like character were
sent to the United States consul gen.
erals, who We're to repeat them to the
consuls The original message was
signed by Secretary Hay, Mr. Bah
cock, his private secretary, having
taken it from the state department to
the secretary's home for that purpose.
Proclamation Will BE Issued
This was all that the department of
state could do last night. AS soon as
possible it will issue proclamation an
nouncing the presidents demise to the
United States and the world at large,
and direct the closing of the executive
departments and navy yards and army
posts as mark of mourning. But this
proclamation requires the signature of
President Roosevelt and it must be
countersigned also by Secretary Hay,
| formalities which may consume some
time owing to the separation by dis
lance of these officials, unless it be ar
ranged by, telegraph, SO that the proc
lamation may be delayed day or two,
The clerks on duty at once notified all
their chiefs of the death.
| Arrangements have been made by
which Secretary Hay will meet Acting
Secretary of War Gillespie and Acting
Secretary of the Navy Hackett in the
state department this morning for the
purpose of promulgating the necessary
orders of the three departments.
| No Changes in Cabinet.
The fact that the physicians had
| given up all hope caused some discus
sion among the public men in the city
OF the probability of an extra session
of congress, and of early changes in
| the cabinet, but the consensus of Opin-
ION was that no cabinet changes or i'm
partant departures in public policy
were at all likely for some time to come
and that congress would not be assem-
pied until it's regular session in Deem
per. All the cabinet, the chief diplo-
matte officials and the heads of ilnpor-
| tant bureaus, according to custom, will
tender their designations to relieve the
| president OF embarrassment, but it is
believed Mr.: Roosevelt will follow the
| precedent set by President Arthur af-
ter Garf1eld's death, and request them
TO continue in Office. Some of the cab
met members are not in good health
ana would sincerely Welcome a relief
from their offices, but all would waive
tnelf personal desires and continue I'M
I'll such time as they could be relieved
easily II, indeed, they requested relief
at all.