Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-09-19
News Of McKinley's Expected
Death Great Shock to
Washington.
BUT LITTLE WORK DONE
secretaries Hay and Gage and Posi-.
master General Smith in the City
Political Effect OF Presidents
Death DISGUISE d-No Impor-
tant Change Expected.

Washington. Sept 1S-Tho news Of the
expected death of President Mckinley
came as a crushing blow TO the national
capital. Nowhere perhaps, had the eth
zons been so full Of confidence in the ulti-
mate recovery of their beloved Pr, dent
and the buoyant bulletins Of the asst
week from the sick bed had lullod them
into false sense of security which made
the shock terrible when the news that the
Sunalo tragedy would have a fatal end
ine came to them All day tho bulletin
boards were surrounded by crowds wait
ing in suppressed excitement for the latest
word from the Milburn home ana num-
crous newspaper extras were eager
snapped W, Little work was done in tn,
executive departments as the slightest eN-
cuse the clerks dropped their pens and
turned to talk in small groups of the
chances that their chief magistrate had
against death in the gallant struggle lie
was making in the far-away city On tho
lake.
The three cabinet officers in The capital
to-day were pictures Of distress. Two
days ago Secretary Hay had loit his chief
apparently on the road to recovery and
to-day Postmaster-Genoral Smith who hal
left Buffalo even later and reached here
this morning said that when he came from
the Milburn house yesterday the Pres
ilcnt, was according to his best informa-
ton, surely on the mend. Tho postmaster-
general returned to Buffalo tonight. Soc
rotary Hay had engaged accommodate
on to-night's train intending to return TO
his New Hampshire summer home, but
cancelled the order early in the day, as on
him developed important functions at one
on the Presidents demise
As the senior member in rank IF the
cabinet, upon Mr. Hays shoulders will ros-
The burden Of government Of the great re
public in the short but important interval
that must elapse before the Vice President
e.
sumes the cares and responsibilities Of the
great presidential office.
At his home at Woodlcv, Secretary Gage
awaited the close Of his chiefs life
Gen Gillespie. acting secretary of war
stuck at the war department for the pur-
pose OF making such army orders as the
sad event would force him to issue. He got
into communication with Gen. Miles 1T
Seattle and the latter notified the douart-
ment that he would return immedately
The fact that the physicians had given
up all hope caused some discussion
among public men in the city Of III ntooa-
hilitv Of an extra session Of Consrl -- nd
Of carly changes in the cabinet b.t tho
consensus Of opinion was that no cal ia
changes or important departures in r.hlic
/ policy were at all likely for SOM time
to come and that Congress would ~.
1 assembled until its regular session -
! cember All the cabinet the dploT t.o
officials and the heads of important b.
reaus, according to custom. will tender
their designations to relieve the President
OF embarrassing but, it is believed Nj.
| Roosevelt will follow the precedent st
by President Arthur, and request them -
| continue in office. Some If the cahir
members are not in good health and warll
waive their personal desires and continue
until such time as they could be- relieved
easily. if indeed they request relief at a,l
Under the presidential succession act t
cabinet officer becoming chief m eistrate