Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-07-29
The Late Secretary Burch.



The officers and employees of the Senate helda
meeting at the Capitol this morning to take
action in regard to the death of Colonel Burch.
There were present all the Senate officers and
employees who are In the city. Major SIMPSON
was called to the chair and Paul Jones elected
secretary. A committee consisting of Colonel
Peyton, Librarian Spofford and Mr. Murphy.
official reporter was appointed on resolutions.
RESOLUTIONS were reported and unanimously
adopted expressing the affection entertained by
the officers and employees for Colonel Burch
because of his uniform courtesy, kindness
and consideration: testifying to the
faithfulness and ability with which he had per-
formed the duties of his office. and indeed ali
the duties. public and private. of life, and tend
ering sincere sympathy to his family; also resO-
luton to attend the funeral services in body.
me following pail bearers were appointed: U.
). Senators Blair. Pugh. Jones (Nevada).
Johnston and Butler, Col. Bright sergeant at
arms, Col. Peyton. executive clerk and Capt
BaSsett, assistant sergeant-at-arms. On motion
OF Mr.. Spoford. resolution requesting the ser
geant-at-arins to drape.the secretary's office in
mourning Tor 80 days was adopted.
TIE FUNERAL SERVICES
VIII be held at the residence at 5 o'clock this
afternoon. The remains will leave the B. & p
depot on the $50 train for Nashville The officers
and employees of the Senate will meet at the
d.
residence of the late Secretary, 1925 Vermont
avenue
THE FOLLOWING TELEGRAM FROM VICE PRESIDENT
ARTHUR
was received by Col Bright this morning: 1t is
with great regret that receive your announce
ment of the death OF the Hon. John C. Burch.
secretary of the Senate The Senate has lost
an able and faithful officer. / beg that you will
convey to his family and to his associate officers
OF the Senate my sympathy and my sorrow at
the loss Of valued friend.
COL. BURCHs PREDECESSORS.
Col. Burch is the second Secretary of the Sen
ate who has died in office. The first Secretary
OF the Senate was Samuel H. G. Alyne OTIS of
Mass, who was elected upon the organization of
the Senate in 1885, and served until the summer
OF 1914, when he died. Upon the meeting of
Congress the following October, Charles Cults,
OF n. H.. was elected. He served until 1925.
when Walter LOwrie. of Pa, succeeded him, and
served until 1885, when he resigned; and Asbury
Dickens was elected. Dickens was succeeded by
Col. John W. FOrney in 1861, and FOrney by
Gorlam in 1868. and GOrham by Burch in 1879.
The term of Col Burchs service was the short
est OF any secretary the Senate has ever had.
CAN ANY MONEY BE PAID OUT UNTIL NEW
SECRETARY IS ELECTED?
There is no rule or provision of law by which
any official can assume or perform the secre-
tary's duties. His most responsible duty is that
OF disbursing officer. All the money for the pay
ment OF Senators and employees is drawn upon
the secretary's draft. and the question as to
what shall be done now will be referred to the
first controller of the Treasury. 1t is thought.
probable. that he will decide that no money can
be paid out until another secretary shall be duly
elected and installed. In March. 1861. VIM
Hickey, chief clerk, was, by special resolution.
made assistant secretary. and empowered to
perform the duties of the office. because of the
illness of the secretary but this applied only to