The Washington times., 1901-09-17
READY TOR The Sad RITES
Arrangements Completed for Serv-
ices at the Capitol.

| Historic Cafafa I0ue. Druped in RIocI
and Placed In the Centre of the
Rotunda-Seats Reserved for Of
| ficials-Hours for Lying in state.
The arrangements for the solemn ex-
| ercises to be held over the remains of
President Mckinley at the Capitol today
We're all completed late yesterday after
| noon. Work the historic catafalaue.
| surmounted by a great canopy draped in
| black, was finished by the workmen, and
| it now occupies the centre of the Rotunda
while around it in circles are ranged 800
| chairs which are reserved for the dis
| tinguished personages invited by the War
| Department officials.
| The Rotunda contains no marks of
| mourning save the sombre centrepiece
and the black shrouds which have been
| placed on the statues of Hamilton, JEFF
ferson, Grant and others which occupy
| inches between the paintings.
final conference on plans was held
/! at the Capitol yesterday morning In the
Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms of the
Senate. Those present were Colonel
Ransdell, the Sergeant-at-Arms of the
Senate, representing the legislative branch
of the Government, Gen. Wallace RAN
dolph, representing the War Department
and Major Richard Sylvester, represent
ing the District authorities. 1t was de-
cided to have the exercises in the Ro-
tunda begin promptly at 10 o'clock this
morning and to have them conclude at
1890 The body will lie in state on the
catafalque until $50, when all who desire
may take last look at the dead Presi-
dent The remains will be removed to the
Pennsylvania station at $40 and taken
to Canton for interment.
Workmen were busy all day yesterday
in the Rotunda of the Capitol and the
scenes enacted on two former occasions
were repeated. The wooden framework
of the canopy was hung with yards of
heavy black goods. The top and sides
of the impressive bier are tastefully drap-
ed. The drapers ripped from the
catafalque the yellowed. dingy mourning
which served for Garfield The once black
trappings which had been prepared for
Lincoln were also ripped off and cast
aside. The new glossy sheen of jet which
is to serve for President Mckinley was
then tackled on and the canopy completed,
while morbid crowds gathered up the his
toric scraps of cloth. The canopy is an
unusually large one. measuring seventeen
feet by thirteen feet and is twelve feet
and over the catafaIque is large frosted
glass plate, enclosing six powerful in
candescent lamps AS night comes on
these will be gradually lighted SO that tile
casket will he illuminated.
The catafalque proper stands eight
inches from the floor; 1t rests upon
broad platform extending on either side.
1t has been arranged that those wishing
to view the body will pass up a raised
walk to the platform. pass along the
platform proper and step off at the west
end of the Rotunda. This will enable
spectators to look directly down on the
face of the President without bending or
STOPPING forward. At 1890 today two lines
win be formed at the Rotunda door on the
east front. The lines will pass up the
steps. through the Rotunda, across the
platform, out of the west door of the Ro
tunda and down the west front steps to
Pennsylvania Avenue fHa7
AS the body will lie in state only six
hours and as at ,leasts 5000 people are ex-
pected in line, Major Sylvester has ar
ranged to have two lines Of police at each
front. These officers will compel the
spectators to keep moving at a slow walk
and no delays will be tolerated. Admit
tance will be from the east door OF the
building will be closed to all except en-
ployes and officials. Major Sylvester has
arranged to have ropes strung from the
east steps out to point where the crowds
can be formed into lines. A Gordon of
police will extend down the steps on eth
ed side and lines of officers will maintain
silence as the crowds cross the Rotunda.
1t was arranged yesterday to have
the body with the escort leave the White
House this morning at O'Clock sharp and
proceed directly to the Capitol. The ser
vices will begin at 10 o'clock sharp. The
seats in the Rotunda are reserved for
the family of the late President, his rela-
tives. ex-President Cleveland, President
Roosevelt, the members of the
Cabinet. the Justices OF the Su-
preme Court, the members of the Diplo-
matte Corps. Senators, Representatives,
and other distinguished persons invited by
Secretary Root. A small section has been
reserved for the press and the Senate
press gallery will be open for the conven-
ience of correspondents
Owing to the change in the programme
as originally outlined only a portion of
the members of the Senate and House
will be able to attend the services to-
day. Colonel Ransdell yesterday sent
numbe. of kilograms after the special
trains which are bearing those Sena-
tors and Representatives from States
west of Illinois, informing the passengers
of the change and advising them to stop
at Canton and attend the services there.
AS far as could be learned last night
the Senators who will attend the scr
vices in Washington are Messrs. Hale,
Mcmillan. McLaurin of South Carolina,
Fairbanks. Foraker, Hanna, McComas
Heitfeld. Harris, Mallory, McLaurin of
Mississippi, and Foster Senator Bailey,
who has been in the city. left for Texas
at o'clock yesterday afternoon. stating
that an important matter compelled him
to leave the Capital.
Aside from the drapngs In the Rotunda
there are no mar.fr of mourning around
the Capitol. The building is badly torn
up and piles of humber and debris litter !
the corridors. These are being removed |
as rapidly as possible SO that easy pass |
age may be had. s'i1-
General Randolph yesterday arranged |
with Colonel Ransdeil and Major Sylves- |
ter to have a guard of regular troops sta
toned at the west front of the Capitol to |
aid the local police In maintaining the |
lines. The Capitol police Will also be on |
hand to prevent crowding.
Navy Orders.
Rear Admiral Francis NJ Ramsay, |
member Schley Court of Enquiry; Capt. |