Evening journal., 1901-09-14
CAPITAL
In GREAT SORROW
Death Of President WSS Not
Expected There
Men and EOmeO Prayed Quietly ia
Churches That Executives Life
Might be Spared

Washington, Sept 1.-THE news Of
the death Of President Mckinley came
as a crushing blow to the nations cap
ital. Nowhere perhaps had the citi-
zens been so fill of confidence in the
ultimate recovery Of their beloved
President and the buoyant bulletins
of the past week from the sick bed
had lulled them into a false sense Of
security which made the shock terrible
VIII IN the news that the Buffalo trag
edy had had a fatal ending came to
item
The three cabinet officers in the cap
itol were pictures Of distress. Two
days ago Secretary Hay had left his
chief apparently on the road to recov-
cry, and yesterday Postmaster General
Smith. who had left Buffalo even later
and reached here yesterday morning,
soid that when he came from the Mil
burn home the President was, accord
ing to his best information, surely on
the mend. The postmaster general re-
turned to Buffalo on the 715 train last
night Secretary Hay had engaged ac-
commodationc on last nights New
England train, intending to return to
his New Hampshire summer home for
much needed rest, but Cancelled the or
der early in the day, as on him de-
vClved important functions at once on
the Presidents demise. He divided his
time between the state department
and his homo, waiting for the end in
patient resignation. prepared for his
sorrowful duty of conveying to the
nations of the world in official form
the news of the demise of the third
American President through the agen-
cy Of an arsassin's bullet within the
short space OF one human life AS the
senio, member in rank of the cabinet.
upon Mr.. lays shoulders also will rest
the burden of government of the great
republic in the short but important in
teryal thGt VIII ciapso before the vice
president under tine terms of the con-
stitutioa assumes the cares and re-
sponsibilities of the great presidential
Office.
The fact that the physicians had
given mp all hope caused some dis.
cussion among the public men in the
city. and tho probability OF an extra
session OF congress and Of early
changes in the cabinet. hut tho CON
sensus Of opinion was that no cabinet
changes or important departures in
public policy were at all likely for
some time to come. and that congress
would not be assembled until its regu-
lar session in December. All the cab
met. tho chief diplomatic officials and
tho heads of important bureaus &C
cording to custom will tender their
designations to relieve the President Of
embarrassment, but it is believed Mr..
Roosevelt viii follow the precedent set
by President Arthur, after Garfeld's
demise ard request them to continue
in Office. Some of the cabinet members
are not in good health and would sin.
cerely welcome O relief from their Of.
fees but all would waive their per-
sonal desires and continue until such
time as they could be relieved easily.
If indeed they request relief at all. I'm.
der tho presidential succession act a
cabinet cflcor becoming chief magis.
tratc would have 90 summon congress
in special session. but this requirement
does not apply 10 a vice president sue
ceeding TO the oAice Of his dead prede-
cessor. and, IT. rs believed. no extra
session would be called in The absence
of statutory requirement, as the three
months intervening until December can
he bridged over without difficulty, and
there is No special occasion for con.
gross assembling
In many of the local churches yes-
terday where men and women Assem-:
bled for quiet prayer that the Prcsi-
dents life might be spared, a number
of pretty incidents on tho part Of tie
President that some of them had wit.
messed were told. His especial fond
ness for children was dwelt upon.
do you remember children's day?"
said one of the Sunday school teach.
ers, when he invited the little boys
who could find no seats to come into
his pew? They were so proud and
happy
"They say that just a little while
before he was shot, broke in another
che had shaken hands and spoken the
kindest words TO some little child"
THE MIGHT IN NEW NORK