New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-09-14
CAPITAL DEEPLY. STIRRED.
MOVEMENTS OF MEMBERS OF CABINET
NO EXTRA SESSION OF CON
GRESS EXPECTED.

ing by the news from Buffalo Of the grave turn
in the Presidents condition. Newsboys, trumpet
tongued hera1ded the dread tidings through the
city soon after daylight, and the national CAPT.
tai which went to sleep last night in the con-
fdent belief that the Presidents indomitable
Will and the surgeons skill had cheated the
wretched assassin's bullet of its victim, awoke
with feeling of dread to-day that was more
| paralyzing than the sharp shock of the news.
| just week ago, that murderous assault had
| been made upon the blameless life OF the ma
| TONS Chief Magistrate
So dispiriting the throughout the
day that business virtually was suspended IN
all the government departments. and the chiefs
+. of bureaus and divisions we'll as the army OF
clerks and other employees, were too unnerved
and depressed to follow the routine OF duty ex-
cept Internationally. So fast did the news travel
| that it useless to post the Buffalo bulletins
| in the usual place in the public buildings. Tears
| dimmed the eyes of scores of men in the gov
eminent service who not accustomed to
| weep, and when messages arrived through which
there cleaned faint rays of hope, the spirits OF
the eager, waiting thousands were buoyed up to
the point Of belief that somehow the President
would win the uneven battle with death.
Around the newspaper bulletin boards all day
stood great crowds of persons, silent and awe
struck About o'clock to-night, when the bull
/ letin stating that the President bravely had
| struggled up from the valley Of the SHADOW or
death and had called for Mrs Mckinley
megaphoned to the mute, motonless throng
that stood from curb to curb in Pennsylvania
| ave. piercing cheer rang out which was taken
up by listening groups all the city. 1t was
the only CLEAN of hope that had come from
Buffalo for more than an hour. and the relief 1t
! afforded to overweight nerves naturally found
| expression in exutant shouts
HOPE SOON OUENCHED
i But as this Pickering ray soon snufred out
! by bulletins Of a depressing character. the JOY
! of the crowds short lived. and the national
capital again settled down In quietude and gloom
awaiting what everybody had come to realize
as inevitable 1t just twenty years ago to-
/ day. lacking six days when Washington learned
! of the death of another martyr President away
! from the White House. shot down by inhu-
man wretch Mckinley was. AT that time
: Washington, in common with the rest of the
country, had been buoyed up with false hope
! by the bulletins of the attending physicians and
| the overconident statements of friends OF the
| stricken President In the of Garfield the
| strain was longer but Westinghouse remem-
| Der that II was not more tense nor soul rackng
! because of its greater duration
Immediately after the alarming reports OF the
/ Presidents condition were received at the White
! House at o'clock this morning. Colonel Mont
! gomery. the signal officer In charge OF the White
! House wires sent messengers scurrying through
the city inform the few Cabinet members
/ in town of the grave situation. Aroused from
! their sleep by the news. Secretary Hay. Score
tary Gage and Postmaster General Smith hur-
ried TO the Executive Mansion and remained In
tho telegraph room In constant communication
with Buffalo. until finally assured OF a favorable
! turn in the sufferers condition.
So stunned each of them all day that
they could little any. public bust
; ness, and of them able TO give
feeble expression in words Of the sorrow and
dread that wrenched their hearts Postmaster
General Smith started an early train to-
night for Buffalo. Neither Mr.. Hay Mr..
Gage Will go tonight. The Secretary OF State
Will remain here in order to any emer-
gency that may arise with reference TO making
I formal announcement to the world OF the death
( OF the President The Secretary OF the Treas
ury Will remain at his desk in order to be ready
/ for whatever necessities might be put upon the
finances OF the country by the strain and stress
| that would follow the death of the nations ex-
| ecutive head Attorney-Cenera Knox left
/ Washington last night for Pittsburg and dis
! patch received from him at the White House
this evening said that he would be in Buffalo to-
! morrow morning
| QUESTION OF DRAPING PUBLIC BUILD
INGs
! Though by a comparatively recent act OF Con-
gress the draping Of public buildings has been
! prohibited the overwhelming sentiment in
! washington among officials we'll civilians
/ is that this law be ignored in the event OF
President McKinley's death The enactment
I on this subject prompted by the fact that
injuries TO public buildings had been caused by
! stains resulting from the drapery placed upon
! the structures. and the further fact that abuses
! OF the practice had been brought to the atten-
noh or Congress. The act provides that mo
! building owned o. used for public purposes by
: the government shall be draped in mourning.
! and no part Of the public funds shall be used
! for such purposes
| 1t is recalled that this law was rigidy OBJ
served on the occasion of the death of Secretary
! Gresham and ce-Presdent Hobart. both of
whom died in office. But it is thought that a
! way Will be found to swathe In the trappings
OF mourning the great department buildings in
! washington as mark of respect to Mr.. McKin-
ley. No President has heretofore died in office
since the law was passed. and II is nationally
contended that the act not intended to APP
! ply to the Chief Magistrate
| There is considerable division of opinion In
washington on the question OF call for a
! special session of Congress in the event of the
Presidents death. In neither the case Of Vice.
: PRESIDENT Johnson who succeeded Lincoln nor
In that of e-President Arthur who succeeded
iarneld, was an extra session called In both
Instances. however, the Senate called in
special session few days after the death Of
the President
: The present Senate would be ready transact
business at any moment. Its president pro tenn
pore. Mr. Frye, was elected In the session OF last
March, and the standing and select committees
as constituted at the end of the session which
closed with March 3 last, are. by special resolu
! ton of the Senate, continued until the next
regular session of Congress. or until their
cessors elected"
Senator Frye was elected March Z. 1901, to be
president pro tempore during the pleasure OF
the Senate" Senator Frye had been president
pro tempore and had acted president of the
Senate after the death Of Vice-President Hobart
and until the installation Of Vice-President
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