Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 May 1902 — REIGN OF REGENT ENDED. [ARTICLE]

REIGN OF REGENT ENDED.

Mother cf Spain’s King Bids Ministers Farewell. Queen Mitria Christina resigned her regency at Madrid on Monday. The scone in the palace was extremely pathetic. While the streets of Madrid were gay with merry-makers the mother of .King Alfonso XIII. was sorrowfully taking leave ot' her ministers, pud placing in the hand of her young son the fulfillment bfthe arduous duties which she had performed with much tact and zeal for more than sixteen years. The Queen, though only 42 years of age, looked much older and showed signs of deep grief and emotion, as Premier Sagasta and his cabinet entered the grand salon in the palace for thetformal leave-taking. Her hands trembled and tears flowed freely down her cheeks as she signed the last royal decrees. The two last decrees to which she atffked her signature were the bestowing of the order of the Golden Fleece on the Duke of Cumberland and the fixing the day on which her son will assume the throne of Spain. Th e m blisters were received - bythe Queeq, with King AlfonsoTrE "ber side. Premier Sagasta, in his farewell speech to her as regent, depicted the loving contideace with which she had intrusted him and how. despite the grief of her widowhood, she had proved herself a woman of remarkable fortitude and administrative ability. It was some time after the Premier finished his speech that the Queen was able to respond. She spoke briefly and with tremulant voice. She said: “1 thank you and your colleagues for the loyal devotion which- y on ha venhwa me. However short of my own ideal I may-. have fallen. I have always had the welfare of my country at heart, and 'nave done sincerely what I could to repay the loyalty of my councillors. I hope you will help my son as you have helped me, because’ although the King might possess natural gifts, he is still young, and needs the help of good advice.”