The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-25
WHEELS AGAIN TURNING.
BUSINESS PROGRESSING AT THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL.

One the SInceFeSl
McKinIey-A story of Judge Adam
son-The Accommodations of the
White House.
Washington, Sept. "a. - Although
President Roosevelt has been in formal
occupation of the White House but a
few days, unofficial callers there can
not help being impressed with the
force of the ancient farce, THE King
is dead. Long live the King"
There is no question that the grief of
official and unofficial Washington over
the death of President Mckinley was
deep and sincere; but, nevertheless. the
period of mourning here lacked that
heart-stirring impressiveness which
prevailed in almost every other city
and village throughout the United
United States. The absence of visible
indications of solemnity and Borrowing
was probably due to the fact that the
nature of the average Washingtonian
is, to a certain extent, dulled or blunt
ed by the frequent association with
public functionaries, and the almost
daily occurrence of official ceremonies.
On the day of the funeral at the
Capitol, when so many people were in
jured in the wild and mobilize rush to
get into the rotunda, where the re-
mains of the late lamented dead were
lying in state, one could not help real
iZing that the funeral ceremonies were
devoid of those silent and solemn fea-
lures which have hitherto prevailed of
funerals of state held at the CapitoI.
m nf rAIll lic nd
official mourning, there was but one
person who stood out conspicuously--
but unintentionally so-as a heartbrok-
en- and grief stricken mourner' in the
national DEATH hamber. Senator Mark
Hanna, leaning heavily on his cane,
with head bowed low and a haggard
look on his face, seemed to guffer
greater heart-pangs at the death of
Mckinley than even the members OF
the dead mans family.
Old scenes Repeated.
1t has often been said, and truly so,
that Washington is made up of float
ing population. The sad occurrnc of
the past few weeks but emphasize
that fact. AT the White House to-day
there are but few incidents occurring
which recall the memories of President
Mckinley's remarkably successful adj
McKinley's remarkably successful ad-
in his office by half past o'clock each
morning, and before 10 o'clock the ante
room is filled with senators, represen-
tatives, department officials, army and
navy officers and the old guard of
chronic office seekers, seeking favor at
the hands of the new President. All
of the old familiar scenes of the first
hours after Mckinley had been twice
inaugurated are being re-enacted to-
Il
same political performers. President
Roosevelt occupies the large office room
adjoining the Cabinet room in receiv-
ing his casual callers, but when he de-
sires to have a confidential converse
ton, the visitor is invited to enjoy the
seclusion of the cabinet room. Occas-
ionally Secretary Cortelyou, pale and
wan, from the heavy responsibilities
and anxiety imposed upon him since
he became the faithful, efficient, and
untiring repository of the dead Pres
ident's condolences, passes through the
corridor to direct the transaction of
executive business, wildly recalling to
mind the mournful incidents of the re-
cent past. He, like Senator Hanna,
shows his grief in his face, and he
seems to have aged at least ten years
in the short period of a few weeks.
Sincere Tributes.
Many of the Democratic congress
men from the South, who came to
Washington expressly to attend Pres
ident McKinley's funeral, have re-
turned home. 1t is safe to say that no
group of official mourners in Wash
ington were more sincere. or more sym
pathetic in their expressions of regret
at the death of Mckinley than the
congressman representing Southern
states. Representative Adamson of
Georgia, before leaving for his home,
paid a beautiful and touching tribute
to the dead President, and recalled
many incidents to show the generous,
liberal and unsectional feeling which
President Mckinley entertained for the
Southern people, without regard to
their political opinions. Judge Adam
son said:
THE death of Mckinley deprived the
Southern people of one of the truest
and best friends they ever had in the
White House. and 1t will be a long
while before we win have a second Nc
Kinley in the executive chair. l diff
fered from him on many political ques-
tions, but l cannot recall an instance
when l made a reasonable and just ap-
peal to him in behalf of my constitu-
ents, that he was not ready and will
ing to cheerfully grant my request"
A Pointed story.
In this connection it may not be inap-
propriate to recall a story they tell of
enc of Representative Adamsons
visits to the White House. Those who
are familiar with Judge Adamson's
personal characteristics know that he
has a somewhat unpublished vein of hui
NOR in his nature, and he is sometimes
tempted to indulge in mild sarcasm.
on one occasion he called upon Presi-
dent Mckinley 10 urge the appoint
ment of one of his friends to a po-
sition in the army. The President had
granted more than one similar request
of Mr. Adamson, and seemed indis-
posed to hesitate about expanding his
liberality to the Georgia Congressman
further. Mr. Adamson in his good
tured, but almost brutally frank
manner, was very persistent. Finally
President Mckinley, placing his hand
on Mr.. Adamsons shoulder, laughing
ly remarked.
"Adamson, see that / cannot escape
you, so l suppose l Will have to do as
you request"
The President evidently concluded
that the incident was closed and he
was about to address himself to an
other member of the delegation. The
incident, however. was not closed so
far as Mr.. Adamson was concerned,
for he provoked general merriment in
the room by blandly requesting the
President to make a memorandum in
writing to that effect. In doing