Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-09-14
ERnm WASHINGTON.
TCorrsspondence Of the Alexandra Gazette
Washington. September Il.


Washington. September Il.
Although everyone in this city bad
axneo,ed The news of the Presidents
death hours before it was flashed over
the wires from Brffalo, when 1t came II
fell upon the hearts Of the waiting
thousands with shock. Pennsylvania
avenue was blocked from curb TO curb
at three points, where the newspapers
were giving the crowds the news by
magaphone and bulletin. Even up to
The last the crowds hoped. When the
announcement 1.-The President is dead"
came from the tbroats of the mega
phoners the crowds melted away from
10 front of the newspaper offices and
departed for their homes 10 silence.
When the news of the Presidents death
reached the White House Assistan
Secretaries Pruden and Barnes ano
Colonel Montgomery, who had been up
for nearly twenty four hours hoping
against hope could not believe the
dreadful news. IL was not until several
minutes after the intelligence was con-
firmed by later message from Score
tary Cortelyou that they began to
realiz9 their Loss. Old retainers at the
White House, who have been there
through many Administrations, wept
like children when they learned that
the worst had come to pass. AS soon
"a the newspapers could get out
"extrasn the residence streets Of the
town were aloud with the newsboys
cries. Thousands of people who had
gone to bed after waiting past midnight
| for the end, got up 10 buy papers
though all knew what the special
editions would contain,
Secretaries Hay and Gage are the
only two Cabinet members now in the
CITY. The former is overwhelmed with
work, it being his duty to formulate ell
the official communications and an
nouncements following the death of the
President. For that reason he was
compelled to deny himself to the in
teryie wers today. Secretary Gage said
chat the members OF the Cabinet would
each look after the details of the
funeral pertaining to their department.
and then they would give President
Roosevelt the opportunity of selecting
his own advisers. The secretary
would not venture TO discuss pending
cabinet changes beyond this.
Secretary Hay reached bis office
earlier than usual this morning and
Immediately called into consultation
the chiefs of the Various departments
in the War, State and Navy depart
ments. An order was afterwards
issued closiog all the government de-
partments today and on the day of the
funeral. Secretary Gage called on
Score airy Hay about 8 o'clock and re-
NAMED in consultation with him fol
nearly an hour. discussing the funeral
arrangements. After the consultation
the following order was Issued:
"Out OF respect to the memory o.
OF the President the executive depart
ment will be closed today and 90 the
day of the funeral.
John Hay, Secretary OF State"
This order has been sent to all the
acting heads of the departments and BY
Them teleggaphed to their snbordinatei
10 charge of the various government
offices, navy yards, naval stations
military posts a1d the American in
sular possessions. The initiative fol
the issuance OF the proclamation an
uoupclng to the world the death o
President Mckinley and appointing
dey OF mourning, must come, it Is said
at the State department, from the new
President. The order to the army hal
been drafted aud sent to Secretary
Root for his approval and issuance
1t follows closely the text OF the order
issued under similar circumstances OF
the death of President Garfield.
As William Mckinley breatbed hi
last at Buffalo this morning, Theodore
Roosevelt became President of th'
United States. The Office passed Il
him by law at that instant, and b,
really needed no word from any officia
OF the government to apprise him Of th,
fact that he was the Chief Magistrate o
the nation. Secretary of Safe Hay
who was waiting for the dread news il
his home across Jackson Square. OF
posite the White House, performed til
sad duty Of conveying TO Col. Roosevelt
! the official information that he had be
come President. Mr.. Hays messsg
was sent to Albany, N. Y, the neares
point to the hunting camp in Esse
county whittier the Vice President ha
gone on Thursday. President Roose
, Yelt will reach Buffalo some time thi