The Washington times., 1901-09-15
At THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.
Historic Catafalque Upon Which
the Body Is TO Lie in State.
Mckinley the Third Mnrtyred Presi-
dent mt Whose Obscquies the bier
b Hns Been Used-Other Notable
Occasions - Funeral Ceremonies.

Col. Daniel NJ Ransdell. sergeant-at
Arms of the United States Senate, was
last night informed of the arrangement:
made for the funeral of President McKin
ley. In consultation with Elliot Wood
Assistant Architect of the Capitol, he
will today formulate plans for the recep-
lion of the casket Tuesday morning.
Directly beneath the dome, far below
the level of the ground, in the crypt de-
signed years ago as the resting place Oh
the ashes of the immortal Washington
there stands a sombre hued catafalque-
II has already borne the bodies OF Two
martyred Presidents as they lay IN state
at the Capitol that of a Chlet Justlce'
Salmon p Chase: Vice President hehIs
Wilson; a Senator. Charles sumner, anu
general. John A. Logan The crypt was
onened Yesterday Tomorrow the cata-
falque will he taken up to the rotunaa-
But before it is put in place it will re-
ouire new cloak of black broadcloth to
cover the heavy pine boards, almost as
sound now as when they were joined TO-
gether thirty-slx years ago, just before
the funeral of Lincoln.
The catafalcue rests on a heavy pat
form about eight inches in height. IL mas
a base which extends beyond the pooS
for some distance on each OF the lour
sides The sides slope gradually toWaFu
the top. When the cas6et is placed on
the catafalque its top will be Httie
over three and one-haf feet above the
floor.
According to custom the casket will be
placed with the foot toward the cast
front of the Capitol. AT the head OF the
bier will be erected. in all probability,
dais on which the olergymen officiating
will stand.
The body is to be taken from the White
House at 10 o'clock When it arrives az
the Capitol the casket VIII be carried
throssh the east doors and placed on the
catafalaue. Soon after the doors Will be
thrown open to the general public, who
will pass through the rotunda until that
evening A Gordon Of Capitol police, aug
rner:ed. il necessary, by Metropolitan
bluecoats. viii be on hand to keep the
crowd moving The public viii be ad-
n,itted neither on Tuesday nor on We'd
nesday to any PAT. OF the building save
the rotuuda Two lines Will enter ana
,,ass on either side OF the casket
Then they will go straight across the
Iotunda and make their eAit tht1Gs1 tilS
west entrance. in TINS manner all cl tue
thousands who will DESIRE may pe cna-
bled to pass the easket as 1t lies IN state.
Accommodations will be provided lor
the seating Of nearly zoo people in the TO-
tunda. me foremost seats will be given
over to the members OF the Cabinet the
members OF the Supreme Court, the sen
ate. and the other national bodies, In their
order of precedence, and to the Diploma
tic Corps.
No decision has yet been announced rel
atiye to flowers. of course, il Will be i'm
possible to display in the rotunda all the
floral offerings sent. only few OF the
ones from sources most orized VIII ce
placed on the coffin. When services Were
held over the remains of Pre sident Gar
field in the Capitol. a handsome wreath
from Queen Victoria was Il conspicuous
feature @. the floral display