New-York tribune., 1901-09-08
HOMECOMING SADDENED.
RETURNING yOYAGERs. SHOCKED. AT
THE NEWS OF THE ATTACK ON
THE PRESIDENT

THE PRESIDENT. ,...- -
Several transatlantic steamships crowded
with passengers returning from vacations in
Europe. reached this port yesterday. To all the
news that President Mckinley had been wound
ed was -subduing surprise. They came home
with glad hearts. rejoicing to see again the
shores of America. er- e.
AS each steamer reached Quarantine and the
story of the happening at Buffalo was taken ON
board the signs of rejoicing usual 10 such an ar
rival were suppressed To quote one who spoke
on the subject:
THE sad story spread a silent gloom on the
homecoming. and the ship filled with wo-
full and apprehensive faces. Joy left us, and
sorrow prevailed all through the ship. The pas
sengers spoke in low tones and until the vessel
reached her pier there was subject discussed
except the awful news, At the pier the first
words were inquiries for the latest news from
the sickbed of the stricken President, and only
after these queries answered were the
usual greetings between ocean travellers and
the friends who met them exchanged"
The feeling marked at the piers and
rarely have newspaper men been cordially re-
/ ceived by returning passengers 1t was SUM-
| cient for one to be known as connected with a
| newspaper for passengers to gather about him in
groups and inquire anxiously for the latest re-
ports from Buffalo. Men left their baggage and
sought the reporters, listened to the latest bulle-
tins of the Presidents condition, and then went
| hurriedly to their wives to carry the tidings.
Officers and crews of the vessels were con-
| sumed by the same anxiety. and stewards and
! other members of the crew. who would not or
| dinarily address a stranger the vessel. asked
| about the Presidents condition and the chances
/ for his recovery. Even from the stoke hold
| came messengers to get the latest bit of in
formation and convey it to their mates who
labor below the decks.
On the Umbria, of the Cunard Line. arrived
| T. Usur. construction captain in the Japanese
navy, who has been making a tour of Europe
and is returning to Japan by way of San Fran
| cisco His first question on landing was ad-
| dressed TO a reporter: How is your ruler on
| IT is terrible. Awful! I hope he will get we'll
! This is a fearful thing"
| Congressman Hill. of Norwalk Conn, said:
! Il must say that the news that 1 heard at
| Quarantine this day is the most appalling
have ever listened TO. | have been in public life
| for forty years. and Mr.. Mckinley is the third
| President who has been shot in that time. 1t IS
| time that the people of America took the matter
| In hand and imposed penalty that will act as
| q deterrent TO such things. Liberty and free
| government were never so threatened as now
! The maximum penalty that can be imposed on
this assassin, if the President recovers, is ten
years. and good behavior will commute that by
a considerable period.
| The punishment is not only inadequate-it Is
| an outrage. The President is the commander
| in-chIef OF the army and navy a soldier may
| be shot for slapping an officers face but the
! citizen who shoots down the commander or
both arms of the government and the executive
head OF the nation receives a punishment less
in duration than one who steals $50. OF course,
no post factO laws be passed, but pro-
| vision should he made for irumhead court
martial for men who attempt such crime as
| this, and they should be dealt with in military
fashion and with expedition am as indtg-
| nant and wrathful over the shooting Of the
President l am sorrOwful"
| Terrible. terrible! terrible." said A ]. Cas-
satt president of the Pennsy lvanLa Railroad
! when he landed from the Celtic. The blow is
| too awful for me TO speak about II is not the
| effect the work OF the assassin may have upon
business, but true sympathy for the President
| and his loving wife that makes the blow hard on
us all | sincerely hope he Will recover. ana
| resume his place at the head of the nations
| affairs l am more sorry for them than l can
tell
| Justice J. J. Marean Of the Supreme Court
| ceased to smile when he began to talk about
| the shooting. 1t appears at first sight 10 De
| incredible that anybody should wish to injure
President Mckinley he said. What, in all
| his public life has he done TO merit the hatred
| OF any man, anarchist OtheT2 1t is inC0m-
| plehenslole 10 the ordinary uliil'i' anu tIe @ , &
| thing that could have been expected can say
no more than that | hope the Injuries VIII not
| prove fatal and that President Mckinley VIII
| he restored To us. | do not wish to talk apouC
the kind Of successor he would have IN MI
! Roosevelt because the mere contemplation OF
| such an emergency is painful. As d man and
| as the executive head Of the nation everybody
respects Mr. Mckinley. and TO speak OF his pos
stble successor in manner that brings nome
the fact that the President may die is more
| than | can do calmly.
| Wayne MacVeagh. Attorney General OF the
United States under Garfield and Ambassador
to Italy in Clevelaud's first term. arrived yester-
day on the American Line steamship Phila-
| delphia. Mr. NaCNeagh. who was accompanied
! hy his wife and daughter had been abroad SIX
| months. He overcome when the news or
the assassination was communicated TO him az
| Quarantine He was at that time in the purser's
| office and those with him thought that he was
going 10 faint ,
Il do not care to talk he said IN orohen
! vo'ce after the terrible news that I have just
heard Mr. Mckinley Is very dear PERSONAL
| friend Of mine and I cannot conceive. Of one so
| low or mean as 70 raise hand against him
! Even 10 know the man is 70 admire him. He is
so good and always takes pleasure in doing
| kindnesses His character is noble one; ne Is
| INDEED loved bv his friends. This is sad news
10 hear AT the end Of an ocean voyage.