EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 23, 1888_.
_To the People of the United States_:
The painful duty devolves upon the President to announce the death, at
an early hour this morning, at his residence in this city, of Morrison
R. Waite, Chief Justice of the United States, which exalted office he
had filled since March 4, 1874, with honor to himself and high
usefulness to his country.
In testimony of respect to the memory of the honored dead it is ordered
that the executive offices in Washington be closed on the day of the
funeral and be draped in mourning for thirty days, and that the national
flag be displayed at half-mast on the public buildings and on all
national vessels on the day of the funeral.
By the President:
T.F. BAYARD, _Secretary_.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, _Washington, May 26, 1888_.
Under the provisions of section 4 of the act approved March 3, 1883, it
is hereby ordered that the several Executive Departments, the Department
of Agriculture, and the Government Printing Office be closed on
Wednesday, the 30th instant, to enable the employees to participate in
the decoration of the graves of the soldiers who fell during the
rebellion.