Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1901-09-15
NEWS AT WASHINGTON.
while the End Was Expected IL Game
a. n Crushing Blow.

hhiie the iuu was tApectcu ~ tAhlo
a. n Crushing Biow.
Washington, Sept. 1.-THE news Of
the death Of President Mckinley came
as a crushing blow to the nations capt.
toll. Nowhere. perhaps, had the oiti.
zens been so full Of confidence in the
ultimate recovery of their beloved presi-
dent and the buoyant bulletins Of the
past week from the sick bed had lulled
them into false sense Of security.
which made the shock terrible when the
news Of the Buffalo tragedy would have
fatal end came.
All day Friday the bulletin boards
were surrounded by crowds waiting in
suppressed excitement for the latest
word from the Milburn home aud natu.
ally newspaper extras were eagerly
snapped up. Little work was done in
the great executive department AS at the
slightest excuse the clerks dropped their
pens and turned 10 talk in awe-s,ricken
groups.
The three cabinet officers at the cap
ital were pictures Of distress. Two
days ago Secretary Hay had left the
president apparently on the road 20 re-
covery. Postmaster General Smith,
who only reached here Friday morning
said when he left the Milburn home
Thursday that the president was surely
on the mend He Immediately return.
cd to Buffalo.
Secretary Hay prepared for his sor-
rowful duty Of conveying to the nations
Of the world in official form the news
of the demise Of third American presi-
dent through the agency Of an assassin's
bust, within the short space Of one
human life. A the senior member In
rank falls ON Mr.. Hays shoulders the
burden Of the government Of the great
republic in the short and important III.
terval that must elapse before the vice
president under the terms Of the con.
stitution assumes the cares and rcspon.
sibilities of the great presidential Office:
At his home AZ Woodley Secretary
Gage mouf.tully awaited the close Of
his chiefs life. Daring the day he had
been at the treasury department and
-, Eept in touch with the financial
affairs in order that the presidents end
might not cause any financial disturb
anco that foresight on the part Of his
department could avert.
Vice President Roosevelt, who now
succeeds TO the presidency, may take
the oath of Office wherever he happens
20 hear the news.
The cabinet, the chief diplomatic Of.
fioials and the heads OF important bu-
reaus. according 10 custom, will tender
their designations TO relieve tho presi.
dent OF embarrassment, but II Is believed
Mr.. Roosevelt will follow the precedent
set by President Arthur after Garfield's
demise, and request them TO continue
in Office. Some of the cabinet officers
are not in good health and would sin
torely welcome a relief from their Of
fees.
Under the presidential succession aot
n cabinet officer becoming chief magis-
trate would have 10 summon congress
in special session but this requirement,
does not apply TO a vice president sue.
ceeding 10 the Office Of his dead predo-
eessor and II is believed no extra ses-
sion would be- called in the absence Of
statutory requirements rs the three
months intervening until December can
be abridged over without difficulty and
there is no special occasion Tor congress
assembling.