Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, Sept. 16, 1901.
REMAINS ARE REMOVED TO WASHINGTON.
Thousands Viewed McKinley's Body as It Lay In State at Buffalo.
ALL HEADS BOWED IN GRIEF.
Mrs. McKinley Bears Up Bravely In This, the Hour of Supreme Sorrow and Affliction.
Spent Some Time Alone With Body Before Funeral Services at Milburn House, Then Stood On Staircase Above Where She Could Hear Without Being Seen. Pathetic Scenes When Lifelong Friends and Associates Viewed Remains For Last Time—Roosevelt Center of Dramatic Climax as He Struggled to Control His Emotion—Hanna's Silent Grief. Dared Not Look Upon Dead Man's Face Until Coffin Was About to Be Closed—Cortege Passed Through Thousands on Way to City Hall, Where 80,000 People Viewed Remains.
BUFFALO, Sept. 16.—The special train bearing the remains of President McKinley drew out of the Union station at 8:30 o'clock this morning.
The train consisted of one private car for Mrs. McKinley, one combination car, one dining car, one compartment car, one double drawing room car, one sleeping car and one observation car, in which the body of the president lies.
The engine and the entire train was draped in black, with bows and knots of white intertwined.
The train is due to arrive in Washington at 8 o'clock this evening, traveling by way of Williamsport, Harrisburg and Baltimore.
Colonel George W. Boyd, assistant general passenger agent of the Pennsylvania railroad, is in personal charge of the train.
BUFFALO, Sept. 16.—Buffalo yesterday was a city of mourners. The gay and flaming decorations of the Pan-American exposition gave way to the symbol of sorrow. The black drapery of the city's streets muffled the tolling bells of the churches. Bits of crape appeared on every sleeve. The sorrow was indescribable.
In the morning a single service took place at the residence on Delaware avenue where the Martyred President died. A hymn was sung and prayer was offered over the dead body. That was all. Only the immediate family and friends and political associates of the late president were present. The scene there was pathetic in the extreme. Then the body was borne out to the waiting cortege on the brawny shoulders of eight sailors and soldiers of the republic.
The cortege passed through solid walls of living humanity, bareheaded and grief-stricken to the city hall, where the body lay in state all afternoon. There a remarkable demonstration occurred which proved how close the president was to the hearts of the people. Arrangements had been made to allow the public to view the body from the time it arrived, at about 1:30 o'clock, until about 5 o'clock, but when the body arrived the people were wedged into the streets for blocks as far as the eye could reach. Two lines were formed. They extended literally for miles.
When 5 o'clock came 40,000 people had already passed and the crowds waiting below in the streets seemed undiminished. It was decided to extend the time until midnight. Then for hours longer the streets were dense with people and a constant stream flowed up the steps of the broad entrance into the hall and passed the bier.
When the doors were closed at midnight it was estimated that 80,000 people had viewed the remains, but thousands of disappointed ones were still in the streets.
Mrs. McKinley bore up bravely yesterday during the service at the Milburn residence and Dr. Rixey, her physician, thinks she will be able to support her trying part in the state funeral at Washington.
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| Theodore Roosevelt. |
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
Announces He Will Continue McKinley Policies.
CABINET OFFICERS RETAINED.
Swearing In of Former Vice President Took Place In Private Residence, Before Judge John R. Hazel. Quick Trial Is Promised For Cozlgosz.
BUFFALO, N. Y., Sept. 16.—Theodore Roosevelt, 26th president of the United States was sworn into office on Saturday afternoon at the residence of Ansley Wilcox on Delaware avenue, only a few squares away from the house in which the stricken head of a nation lay dead. The cabinet members had decided that the oath be administered at once and Mr. Roosevelt acquiesced to their wishes. Judge John R. Hazel of the United States district court administered the oath.
The place selected was the library in the Wilcox home, a rather small room but picturesque, the evenness of the four walls being broken only by a bay window, with stained glass and heavy hangings. In this alcove the president took his position.
He was surrounded by the five members of his cabinet, Secretaries Root, Hitchcock, Long, Wilson and Postmaster General Smith. Nearby were Senator Depew, Judge Haight, John N. Scotcherd , George P. Sawyer, Drs. Mann, Park and Stockton, John G. Milburn, William Loeb, George B. Cortelyou, Dr. Charles Carey and Judge Hazel. Other officials and prominent citizens of Buffalo were present and a few women, wives of the Buffulonians present.
At precisely 3:32 o'clock Secretary Root stepped forward and announced that the cabinet of the late President, at least those who are present in Buffalo, all except two, for reasons of weight affecting the affairs of the government, desired that Mr. Roosevelt proceed to take the constitutional office of president of the United States. Mr. Roosevelt, coming closer to Secretary Root, replied in a voice that at first wavered, but finally came deep and strong while, as if to control his nervousness, he held firmly the lapel of his coat with his right hand.
"I shall take the oath at once in accordance with your request and in this hour of deep and terrible national bereavement I wish to state that it shall be my aim to continue absolutely unbroken the policy of President McKinley for the peace and prosperity and honor of our beloved country."
Judge Hazel then took up the constitutional oath of office, which had been prepared on parchment, asked the president to raise his right hand and repeat it after him. There was a hush like death, in the room as the judge read a few words at a time and the president in a strong voice and without a tremor and with his raised hand as steady as if carved from marble, repeated it after him. "And thus I swear," he ended it. The hand dropped by the side, the chin for an instant rested on the breast and the silence remained unbroken for a couple of minutes as though the new president of the United States was offering silent prayer.
"Judge Hazel broke in, saying, "Mr. President, please attach your signature," and the president turning to a small table nearby wrote "Theodore Roosevelt" at the bottom of the document in a firm hand.
Immediately following the disposing of the spectators of the taking of the oath the president asked the cabinet members present to confer with him. The conference lasted very nearly two hours and when it had finished the president said:
"Following out the brief statement I made when taking the oath that I would follow the administrative lines laid down by President McKinley, I requested the members of the cabinet who are present to remain in their positions, at least for the present. They have assured me that they will and I may say that I have assurances also from the absent members."
Inquiry was made of the president as to whether an extra session of congress would be called by him and he said in substance that there was no fundamental law requiring the calling of congress together upon the succession of a vice president to the presidency, and that after consultation with the cabinet they had decided that no such extra session would be called.
President's Official Proclamation.
The following proclamation was issued by President Roosevelt, shortly after his swearing in:
"By the President of the United States of America:
"A PROCLAMATION.
"A terrible bereavement has befallen our people. The president of the United States has been struck down; a crime committed not only against the chief magistrate, but against every law-abiding and liberty-loving citizen.
"President McKinley crowned a life of earnest love for his fellow men, of most earnest endeavor for their welfare, by a death of Christian fortitude, and both the way in which he lived his life and the way in which in the supreme hour of trial, he met his death, will remain forever a precious heritage of our people.
"It is meet that we as a nation express our abiding love and reverence for his life, our deep sorrow for his untimely death.
"Now, therefore, I, Theodore Roosevelt, president of the United States of America, do appoint Thursday next, Sept. 19, the day on which the body of the dead president will be laid in its last earthly resting place, as a day of mourning and prayer throughout the United States. I earnestly recommend all the people to assemble on that day in their respective places of divine worship, there to bow down in submission to the will of Almighty God, and to pay out of full hearts their homage of love and reverence to the great and good president whose death has smitten the nation with bitter grief.
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
"Done at the city of Washington, the fourteenth day of September, A. D., one thousand, nine hundred and one, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-sixth.
"THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
"By the President, JOHN HAY, Secretary of State."
THE FUNERAL PARTY.
NOW ON THE WAY FROM BUFFALO TO WASHINGTON.
All Buffalo Assembled to Pay the Last Tribute of Respect—Mrs. McKinley Bearing Up Well.
BUFFALO, N. Y., Sept. 16.— From the time the signal gun at Fort Porter greeted the sunrise until the mortal remains of the nation's chief were tenderly transferred to the Central depot, the minute gun boomed its tribute of martial grief.
At 7:51 o'clock. Major General Brooke gave the command to take up the casket. The brawny blue-jackets and marines, four on a side, with devoted hands, rained the flag-enshrouded coffin, and placed it on their shoulders. Then the serried ranks moved as one man. Civilians uncovered, while the band, in dirge-breathing time, throbbed out the opening bars of "Nearer, my God, to Thee." All else was oppressive silence, save the footfalls of the sailors, as they moved down the corridor and steps with their precious burden. And memory rolled back to the time which seemed only yesterday when smiling in the full vigor of manhood, bowing to the plaudits of multitudes, amid a tornado of whistles the president arrived in Buffalo. Now he was departing. To make the scene sadder still, the Sixty-fifth regiment band played the "Dead March From Saul" in such a manner as to move the heart of a stoic.
BUFFALO, Sept. 16.—At the Milburn house the parting was pathetic. At 7:35 o'clock, a woman leaning on the arm of Abner McKinley, assisted by Lightfoot, the colored doorkeeper of the White house, was seen coming down from the steps of the Milburn residence. It was Mrs. McKinley. She was dressed in mourning, and was heavily veiled. As she neared the carriage she lifted the veil from her face and looked back for a parting glance at the Milburn house, a spot to remain sacred in the history of the great Republic of which her beloved husband was the leader. Her face was calm and expressionless.
She descended the steps with firm steps. In the carriage with Mrs. McKinley was Abner McKinley and his wife and Dr. Rixey. As they passed the corner the crowd bowed their heads and all stood uncovered.
The funeral party arrived at the New York Central station on Exchange-st. at 8:10 o'clock and entered the special car "Olympia" which had been reserved for Mrs. McKinley and her party.
Secretary George B. Cortelyou was asked regarding the condition of Mrs. McKinley this morning by a Publishers' Press correspondent, and replied: "She is bearing up very well. She will take a long rest at Canton after the funeral."
BUFFALO, Sept. 16.—President Roosevelt reached the station at 8:20 o'clock and followed the group of cabinet officers into the train with Secretary of War Elihu Root at his side. The president wore a broad band of crepe on his arm and the grief and emotion he felt showed plainly from every line in his countenance.
At 8:36 the signal was given, and slowly the train bearing all that was mortal of Win. McKinley, moved out of the train shed, on its way to Washington.
PUBLIC MEMORIAL SERVICE.
Committee Appointed to Make the Arrangements for Thursday.
Mayor Chas. F. Brown has selected the following gentlemen to constitute a committee to make arrangements for holding a memorial service next Thursday afternoon in honor of the late President William McKinley: Messrs. Robert Bushby, T. H. Wickwire, J. E. Eggleston, E. D. Blodgett, L. J. Fitzgerald, O. U. Kellogg, H. A. Dickinson, S. N. Holden, W. J. Greenman, James Dougherty, H. M. Kellogg, F. E. Smith, F. J, Cheney, G. J. Mager, E. H. Brewer, Hugh Duffey and F. J. Deck.
This committee has been asked to meet in Fireman's hall at 8 o'clock this evening to make necessary arrangements for holding the public meeting. It is quite probable that the services will be held at the [Cortland] Opera House as the proprietors have kindly offered the use of the building free of charge. Several of the citizens have offered to give their service in decorating, and the musicians of the city will furnish appropriate music for the occasion.
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| Cortland Hospital. |
THE CORTLAND HOSPITAL.
AN APPEAL FOR SYSTEMATIC AID FROM THE PRESIDENT.
Need of Some Provision for Meeting the Expense of Caring For Charity Patients—Outside Assistance Being Alienated Because of the Apathy of the Community Itself.
To the Editor of The Standard:
SIR—As is already known to the public, at a meeting of the city council held Sept. 3, a petition was presented asking that an appropriation be inserted in the annual tax budget for the use of the Cortland Hospital in caring for the needy sick of the city. This petition was signed by more than 200 of the leading business men and heavy taxpayers of the city, many of whom voluntarily expressed warm approval of the plan as being a much more just and equitable one for providing for the poor than the present system. But it was found that some were ignorant of the disadvantage under which the managers at present labor and believing there may be still others equally ignorant they submit for the consideration of the public the following reasons for petitioning for appropriation:
First. They believe "the laborer is worthy of his hire" and the hospital should not be expected, at times by force of circumstances compelled, to perform the duties that manifestly belong to the department of charities and this without adequate compensation. They ask for the appropriation, not as a gift, but as something actually due the hospital for the service it is rendering and is expected to render to the city's poor. The officials having this work in charge, though humane and charitable as individuals, are invariably disposed to limit the number admitted by their order so that the expenses of their department may be kept down to the lowest possible figures. Even if an order be given the pay received, $4.25 per week, does not in any case cover the cost and it is left to the hospital to supply the deficiency. Again, it not infrequently happens that in order to establish a patient's recovery it is necessary for the hospital to supplement the time allowed by the poormaster by a few days or even weeks of gratuitous care. With an appropriation that would afford the managers a guarantee of full payment many more of the poor would receive hospital care as they would be admitted on a physician's certificate the same as the private patients.
The poormasters of our county have never availed themselves of the hospital in providing for the sick as is done in other communities. We need not look farther than Syracuse, Binghamton, Elmira or Auburn to satisfy ourselves of this. The report of St. Joseph's hospital, Syracuse, for 1900 shows that of the 1,225 patients treated 490 were chargeable to city, county or towns and for their care the hospital received altogether $10,964.04.
There were two other hospitals also caring for poor patients and receiving pay therefore, but in the absence of reports for that year statistics of their work cannot be given here.
The Binghamton hospital has for many years received an annual appropriation of from $3,000 to $7,000, though in its earlier years it had not nearly so many patients as the Cortland hospital has had for the past four years, and until 1896 it was a private corporation like our own.
A report from the Arnot-Ogden hospital, Elmira, of a year when 166 patients were treated, gives eighty-four as the number of city and county charges for whom the hospital received pay.
The Auburn hospital, while caring for 175 patients, of whom fifty-nine were city and county cases, received as compensation $2,091.91.
Nor were these exceptional years, as is seen from the reports from these hospitals of other years, where is found the same proportion of city and county cases, with the pay received for their care. When we compare these statistics with those of our own hospital during the past ten years, we are forced to the conclusion that our officials are not "living up to their opportunity," and that our sick poor are not being as well cared for as they might and should be with a hospital at their doors.
Second. It would obviate the necessity for the delay and the "red tape" in getting orders that now create so much dissatisfaction among the people and for which they are disposed to censure the hospital. The law is stringent in requiring hospitals to procure the poormaster's order before admitting a patient or forfeit all claim for pay for his care. It is the only protection the hospital has and the managers must avail themselves of it if they would not have an undue share of the burden of the needy sick shifted on to their shoulders.
Third. It would, by distributing the burden among all the taxpayers where it justly belongs, render it so light as to be scarcely perceptible to any one, the amount asked for adding less than 17 cents for every thousand dollars of valuation. If the hospital were caring only for those who would not be city charges without it, it might consistently appeal to the charitable for the necessary aid, but so long as the public expects and insists that its doors shall be open to all, however poor or undeserving, it is the public that should contribute to their support and not the charitable few. Though an effort is usually made to get a poor-master's order for such indigent cases as would not feel humiliated by it, the hospital has frequently, especially in the case of young people, assumed the full burden rather than subject them to the stigma of having received public charity. And despite all assertions to the contrary no person needing the care of the hospital has ever been refused admission because of lack of means.
Fourth. For the credit of our city we shall ask that it shall, either by appropriation or by contract with the hospital, make better provision for its sick poor. It is a matter of great surprise to residents of other hospital towns that a city so prosperous and progressive as Cortland should be so backward and niggardly in this respect and so indifferent to the general interests of the hospital. Readers of the STANDARD will probably remember a letter from Mr. Wm. G. Hibbard of Chicago, written to the president of the board of managers and published in these columns a few months since, in which he expressed himself in no very complimentary terms regarding the manner in which the people of our county were supporting (?) their two charitable institutions.
During the past six years Mr. Hibbard has shown a lively interest in our hospital by numerous valuable gifts and had signified his willingness to aid in the erection and furnishing of a new building that should cost from $5,000 to $10,000. From recent letters received from him it appears that his kindly feelings towards the hospital have been alienated and his generous intentions defeated by the apathy of our citizens. Under date of Aug. 7 he writes as follows:
"From what I heard of the attitude of the people of Cortland towards contributing to the hospital and to the Old Ladies' Home at Homer it did not impress me that they were very much inclined to give to charity."
In response to a suggestion that if he were to take the initiative his example and influence would probably induce others to act he says:
"I think now I will not take the initiative. If the people of Cortland want it (the building) and will do a fair share I shall take great pleasure in helping. Rockefeller says people must pay towards charity to feel interested in it, therefore he stipulates when he gives a certain sum that the people benefited by it shall give too. He cares more for the interest they feel in the charity than be does about their money and I think he is about right. When your people show they feel some interest in the hospital by putting down their cash I shall be more than pleased to contribute.
And again in a letter written Aug. 19 he emphasizes what he had previously written by saying:
"I confess I do not feel much interest in a community that will not try to help themselves, particularly after the typhoid scare you had last year. If that would not make them realize the necessity for a hospital I do not believe a call from Gabriel would make them put their hands in their pockets. Mr. Rockefeller says if people do not give they do not feel interested. Call a school or a college Rockefeller's and it is nothing in which they have an interest."
Mr. Hibbard is not the only one liable to be deterred from lending a helping hand to the hospital by the selfish indifference and inaction of those most benefited by it. Few people hays courage to assist those who make no effort to help themselves and Cortland will never deserve a hospital until she gives to it the steady support needed instead of the weak and spasmodic efforts that have attended the work thus far and which have found expression in fairs, suppers, rummage sales and the like. If this steady and assured support cannot be had either by more generous contributions or by appropriation or contract with the city by which the hospital can rely with certainty upon receiving compensation for services rendered to the poor, much as the managers would regret the necessity of such a step, they will feel compelled to discontinue all charitable work and to close the doors of the hospital to all who cannot pay the full cost of their care.
JULIA E. HYATT, President, Board of Managers.
Hospital Commencement.
The commencement exercises of the graduating class at the Cortland hospital will occur at the hospital tomorrow evening at 7:30 o'clock. There are four in the class: Misses Elizabeth L. Frank of Liverpool; Frances M. McHale of Marcellus; Catharine I. Carroll of Syracuse and Jennie Hubbard of Carthage. The address will be made by Rev. Robert Clements, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and the diplomas will be presented by Dr. Henry.
THEIR SILVER WEDDING.
Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Perry Surprised by Numerous Friends.
Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Perry, Maple-ave., were very pleasantly surprised last evening by about forty of their friends, the occasion being the twenty-fifth anniversary of their wedding. The surprise was planned by Mrs. Mary Call, Mrs. Hiram Banks, Mrs. W. J. Perkins and Mrs. A. G. Bosworth and was well carried out. The party met at the Cortland House and moved in a body upon the couple who had been wedded for a quarter of a century and gave them a complete surprise.
One of the pleasant features of the evening was the speech by Mrs. Albert Howe in presenting to Mr. and Mrs. Perry numerous gifts, mostly of silver, that were given them by the guests. Mrs. Howe expects to celebrate the golden anniversary of her marriage in December. Her words admirably voiced the sentiments of the party. Refreshments were served, and the evening was passed with cards and social greetings.
The following guests were present: Mr. and Mrs. I. Jenkins, Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Mead, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Banks, Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Bosworth, Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Call, Mrs. J. Peck, Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Perkins, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Howe, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. William Clark, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Bosworth, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Smith and Miss Allie Swayze of Newark, N. J., Mr. Fred Pratt and Miss Nellie Pratt, Mr. and Mrs. O. D. Patrick, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Wadsworth, Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Nelson, Mr. and Mrs. William Wagoner, Mr. and Mrs. George Leach, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Wood, Mr. Benj. Peters, Mrs. A. H. Watkins, Miss Eva Bliss, Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Burchard of McGraw, and Mr. Charles Bosworth of Truxton.
BOWKER-MCGRAW.
City Judge Takes the Opportunity to Tie a Nuptial Knot.
Mr. Grenville F. Bowker and Miss Margaret A. McGraw were married at the home of the groom's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Bowker, 127 Groton-ave., at 4 o'clock last Saturday afternoon by City Judge R. L. Davis. Mr. Bowker is a well known singer in Cortland, and is now traveling with the Barlow & Wilson Minstrel company as soloist and interlocutor. Mrs. Bowker formerly lived in Truxton and is a sister of the celebrated ball player who now manages the Baltimore National league team. Mr. Bowker left Saturday night to rejoin his company.
DORAN FAMILY REUNION.
Held at Cortland Park Last Saturday—Many of the Family Present.
On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Dorans from far and near met at Cortland park and held a regular old time family jollification. There were nearly a hundred in attendance, young and old, and all seemed to enjoy the occasion to the full.
The older citizens will recollect that some twenty odd years ago. the Dorans met annually at Blodgett's Floral Trout park. The grounds were always filled to overflowing with the family and their friends on these occasions, and songs, stories and family traditions were indulged in, as well as the various out-of-door sports which the place afforded. Last week's meeting was the first held for a generation. Brothers and sisters met after separations of twenty and thirty years.
Among those present from a distance were A. J. Doran of Ottawa, Kan.; Clarence L. Doran, Ottawa, Ill.; Emory Doran and wife of Marathon; James Doran, wife and daughter, Solon; Rev. S. A. Anderson and wife, Freetown; E. Underwood and wife of Freetown. There were also a number of the friends of the family from this city [Cortland] and nearby towns. As of old, songs, stories, recitations and like entertainment were furnished by those present and speeches were made by A. J. Doran and Clarence Doran. L. M. Loope was asked to speak, but he got out of it by proposing a continuance of these reunions from year to year, and so got them all talking in his place. The result of the general discussion was a permanent organization under the name of the Doran Reunion association. Officers were elected as follows:
President—Emory Doran.
Vice-President—L. M. Loope.
Secretary—J. D. Doran.
The following committee was appointed to make arrangements for the next annual reunion, which is to be held the first Saturday of September, 1902: J. D. Doran, James Doran, Chas. Kenyon, J. F. Crysler, Rev. A. S. Anderson,
The assembly broke up at about 5 o'clock in the afternoon. All agreed that the reunion had been a decided success, and resolved to make the next one even more successful.
BREVITIES.
—Dr. and Mrs. F. J. Cheney entertained a number of the members of the Normal faculty and Miss Kathleen Gill Atkinson of Brooklyn, a former member who is now visiting in the city, at their home last Saturday evening.
—New display advertisements today are—City Steam Laundry, Laundry work, page 4; Bingham & Miller, Clothing, page 8; City Cycle Co., Guns, etc., page 6; J. W. Cudworth, Optical goods, page 4; C. F. Thompson, Peaches, page 4.
—Some months ago readers of The STANDARD were thrilled by the two great war stories, "Chattanooga" and "Chickamauga," by Captain F. A. Mitchel, which were published in these columns. We begin today another story of the civil war, "Sweet Revenge," by the same author. It is considered even better than its predecessors. No one should fail to read it.
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