DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, March 26, 1883_.
SIR:[15] It is my melancholy duty to inform you that the Hon. Timothy
O. Howe, Postmaster-General, and lately a Senator of the United States,
died yesterday at Kenosha, Wis., at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. By
reason of this afflicting event the President directs that the Executive
Departments of the Government and the offices dependent thereon
throughout the country will be careful to manifest by all customary and
appropriate observances due honor to the memory of one so eminent in
successive offices of public esteem and trust and so distinguished and
respected as a citizen.
To this end the President directs that the Post-Office Department and
its dependencies in this capital shall be draped in mourning for a
period of thirty days; that the several Executive Departments shall be
closed on Wednesday next, the day of the funeral of the deceased, and
that on all public buildings of the Government throughout the United
States the national flag shall be draped in mourning and displayed at
half-mast.