ccurred in the city of Washington
on Saturday, January 17, at 3.40 o'clock p.m., removes from among the
living one of the most distinguished Americans. As an expression of the
public loss and sorrow the flags of all the Executive Departments at
Washington and the public buildings in the cities through which the
funeral party is to pass will be placed at half-mast on to-morrow and
until the body of this eminent statesman, scholar, and historian shall
rest in the State that gave him to his country and to the world.

By direction of the President:

ELIJAH W. HALFORD, _Private Secretary_.

AMENDMENT OF CIVIL-SERVICE RULES.

JANUARY 26, 1891.

Special Departmental Rule No. 1 is hereby amended by adding to the
exceptions from examination therein declared the following:

In the Department of Agriculture, in the office of the Secretary,
division of illustration and engraving: One artist.

BENJ. HARRISON.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE, _Washington, January 30, 1891_.

SIR:[18] The Hon. William Windom, Secretary of the Treasury of the
United States, died suddenly last night, in the city of New York, at the
hour of eleven minutes past 10 o'clock, in the sixty-fourth year of his
age. Thus has passed away a man of pure life, an official of stainless
integrity, distinguished by long and eminent service in both branches of
Congress and by being twice called to administer the national finances.
His death has caused deep regret throughout the country, while to the
President and those associated with him in the administration of the
Government it comes as a personal sorrow.

The President directs that all the Departments of the executive brand of
the Government and the officers subordinate thereto shall manifest due
respect to the memory of this eminent citizen in a manner consonant with
the dignity of the office which he has honored by his devotion to public
duty.

The President further directs that the Treasury Department in all its
branches in this capital be draped in mourning for the period of thirty
days, that on the day of the funeral the several Executive Departments
shall be closed, and that on all public buildings throughout the United
States the national flag shall be displayed at half-mast.

Very respectfully,

JAMES G. BLAINE.

[Footnote 18: Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _February 13, 1891_.

_To the Heads of the Executive Departments_:

In t