The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1901-09-20
THE NEW CABINET
Present Members Will, it is
Thought, Remain UntiI Next
December.

December.
Washington, d. C.-The executive
officers Of the government Saturday
carried out the program which law
and custom devolved upon them in
consequence Of the sad death of the
chief magistrate. Oficial notification
Of the death Of President Mckinley
was communicated to the new presi-
dent and the same afternoon the
further fact Of the succession Of Pres
ident Roosevelt was made known to
diplomats accredited with foreign ma
tions to the government of the United
States and the army and navy and
revenue cutter service. The execu-
tive departments were closed for the
day. Army and navy details were
made for the purpose Of providing q
proper representation Of these branch
es Of the government in the several
stages attendant upon the removal Of
the presidents body from Buffalo to
Washington, the funeral procession
from the white house to the capitol,
and the removal thence to Canton for
interment. Steps were taken to pre-
pare the white house and the capitol,
in which latter building the body of
the dead president will lie in state
from Tuesday until Wednesday after
noon for the reception of the remains
and such ceremonies as may be held
in either. A notable feature Of the
day to those who recalled the appear
anoe Of the city after the deaths of
Lincoln and Garfield was
the absence Of all emblems of mourn
ing on public buildings in conse-
quence Of q recent prohibitory act o.
Senator Frye of Maine. was notified
that on him would devolve the duties
Of presiding officer of the senate.
Il Is not believed here that Presi-
dent Roosevelt will find it expedient
or necessary to summon congress to
meet in special session. There is
only q very meagre sprinkling Of sem
ators and members of the house of
in Washington. but
hose here generally hold the opinion |
above expressed. Some even go to the |
extreme Of predicting that there will |
,ot be an extraordinary session Of the |
'enate, though on this point there is
! difference Of opinion. The matter Is
optional with the new presi-
lent. The statute providing for the
to the presidency requires
hat congress shall be convened in
ase q member Of the cabinet becomes
but the statutory require
nent does not apply to the case of
he vice president being elevated to
he presidency through the death Of
he president. 1t is believed that
inoe the law does not call upon him
o do so, the new president will not
ummon congress in special session
ut will allow the affairs of the diff
erent departments to remain in their
resent hands until congress shall
,eet In constitutional session on the
scond Of December, less than two
,onths hence. This precedent was
,t by President Arthur after the
cath of Garfield. President Arthur
id convoke the senate in special SEES
on.
But circumstances are somewhat
Inerent in the present instance. The
ut congress performed is work so
,mpletely that in case the entire ;
,dy should be brought together in ,
Itfa session, there would be no
,eoial service for it to perform, and Z
lere would be little more to do than ,
confirm the nominations to office
sde by the president. It would not.
course, be necessary to summon
70 entire congress for this purpose,
ID II there should be desire on the g
ut Of Mr.. Roosevelt to make large .
lmber Of changes Immediately after =
suming the duties Of his office, he I
uld secure confirmation by simply :
ling the senate together.
The concensus Of opinion, is that =
viii ask the present members of 9
Q cabinet to continue in Office, GER
inly until next December when
ngress will assemble. Some men,
r. Of the cabinet later may wish to
relieved, - several are not In the
st OF health. and the new president
y decide himself, later ON, that he q