Evening journal., 1913-05-10
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Argument That Con-
vinCed the Washington
Authorities
BY HolIand.

by uOfiand.
William Henry Hunt who was at
one time attorney general of Louisi-
ana, and afterward Judge of the United
States Court OF Claims at Washington
and in 1881 was transferred from that
bench to the Office of Secretary of the
Navy in President Garfeld's cabinet
was In 1882 appointed minister to
Russia by President Arthur.
Judge Hunt died in office. IN 1884
One Of the reasons which chiefly in
nuenced him to accept the offer of
the Russian mission made by Presi-
dent Arthur was the fact that his
warm personal friend, Sir Edward
Thornton, was the ambassador from
Great Britain to Russia. With Sir
EDWARD Judge Hunt had established
cordial and even intimate personal
reiatons In the last years of Sir
EDWARDS long service as minister
from Great Britain to the United
The friendship which was estab-
lshed between them was increased
after Judge Hunt arrived at 81
petersburg TO take up his duties as
American minister. II was largely,
que to Sir Edward Thornton's in
huence that Judge Hunt made many
warm personal friendships at ST
Petersburg.
Although Judge Hunt was possess
ed OF no fortune, nevertheless the
simple dignity OF the man, his kindly
manner and a charm of personalitv
which especially distinguished him.
caused him. before he had finished
his first year at St Petersburg. TO
become as popular a diplomat as has
ever been in service at the Russian
capital
BEFORE the steamer upon which the
mortal remains of Judge Hunt were
placed for transportation to the
united states arrived at New York.
preparations We're made for an appro-
PIRATE funeral ceremony. Some of
OF those who had been Judge Hunts
associates in President Garfeld's cab
met and later in President Arthur's.
were asked to serve as pall-bearers.
some astonishment was expressed
py these associates when it was
learned that the government at
washington did not contemplate TAX
ing part officially in the funeral cere-
monies. lt was, therefore. determined
10 request the government to make
such oilcial acknowledgment of
Judge Hunts career and prominence
sion
When this subject was broached TO
the authorities at Washington 1t was
learned that they we're reluctant to
give the necessary orders for official
recognition Of Judge Hunts public
career
why should we do it2" What es-
pecial reason is there why the gov
ernment of the United States should
IN any Official way participate in the
funeral ceremonies of Judge Hunt.
although he happened TO be minister
TO Russia at the time of his deathg
was asked
fhere are very good reasons" was
lhe reply. We owe il to Russia, il
not to ourselves"
But how can Russia be at all in
terested in any funeral ceremonial in
connection with the burial of Judge
Hunt?"
Judge Hunt had gained such infu-
ence in Russia that he was esteemed
very highly not only as an Ameri-
can citizen and as a diplomat. but also
as man, Russia officially took notice
of his death. The government itself
participated in the funeral ceremo-
nies at St Petersburg. The car com
municated in an appropriate manner
his sense Of Judge Hunts worth as
an American and as man. A public
funeral was commanded by order of
the Russian authorities. II. there
fore, Russia deemed II appropriate
thus to honor Judge Hunts memory,
what VIII be the view taken at St
Petersburg if it be learned that the
government of the United States
ignored the death and the late rites
OF this distinguished citizen ?"
That argument prevailed. The nee
essary commands and orders were
given, and it was because of this ref
erence to the action of Russia that
the government, through the army
and navy and in other ways, was Off
cialiy represented at Judge Hunts
funeral.
fCpnyrfpht 1919 nv L. ls.,,... II -