The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-11-18
Pu@iilgy Of The Senate Of PGHl'a
IN RELATION TO TIE DEArH or
Senator Mehard,
LATE MEMBER FROM LAWRENCE COUNTY

/ pun, Ia, on the 10Th inst After prayer
by the Chaplain, the following resolu-
tons were offered by Senator Osborn, Of
Phil.delphiz
Rssolred, That the Senate Of Pennsyl-
vania profoundly deplore the death Of
the Honorable Thomas NJ. Hehard, late
a member Of this body, and do extend to
the family Of the deceased Senator sin
cere coincidence in their great bereave-
/ ment
Resolrsd. That the public service of
Senator Mehard was marked BY indus
try, patience. and fidelity 70 his eonvic-
tions Of duty.
Resolred, That the Clerk Of the Senate
transmit 70 the family of the deceased q
copy Of these resolutions, with the action
ofthe Senate thereon.
Short addresses were delivered by Sen
stors Osborn, of Philadelphia, Lloyd, of
Cumberland, Williamson, Of Hunting
don. Logan, Of Crawford, MarkIey, Of
Montgomery, Thompson, OF Dauphin'
Critchfeld, Of Somerset, Crawford. Of
Venango, Showalter, of Butler, Robinson,
of Delaware, and Dunlap, of Beaver. We
copy from the journal the remarks of
Senator Critchfield in full Upon agree
ing to the resolutions, Mr.. Critchfeld
said
Mr.. President -
It Is with deep sense Of my own
personal loss, as well as the loss Of this
body, that I arise in my place to join in
paying the last official tribute Of respect
to the memory of our universally es-
teemed and beloved colleague, Thomas
NJ Mehard.
Ny first meeting with him was in this
Chamber, at the opening Of the last reg
ular session. Being a new member Of
this body, / came in here with some
thing of the difidenee experienced by
everyone who enters into new relations,
and who is brought into contact with
men ne has not personally known. One
of the first TO meet me, and by his warm
hearted greeting make me feel at home
in this place, was Senator Mehard. The
acquaintance that then began between
Us soon ripened into a friendship that
| continued uninterrupted and unbrOken
until the day of his death. Senator Ne
hard possessed in rare degree the abili-
/ ty to win and retain the friendship Of
them with whom he associated. He was
entirely frank in his manner, and 50
completely without disguise, that his
friends had no difficulty in knowing
when they had his approval or disapprO-
bation- He was a man Of benevolent
heart and obliging disposition, and there
are few members Of this body who will
not be able to remember some kindly
act performed in their behalf. He was
q man Of pure thoughts and pure life,
and no word ever passed his lips that
was not proper 70 be uttered in the most
refined presence by Christian gentle
/ man.
As legislator heIwas thoroughly con-
scientious, and his vote was always cast
upon the side he believed to be right
1t mattered not to him by whom a meas
ure was proposed, if he believed it TO be
Just it was sure TO find in him an ardent
supporter. He never hesitzted 70 consid-
er what effect his action might have
upon himself personally. or upon his pO-
litical prospects, for to him, the approval
Of his own conscience was more than the
praise Of his fellsg-men. What more
can be said Of any man? He who per-
forms his duty eonscientiOusly in the
place he occupies, whether it be high OF
low, is the best citizen and the one who
best fills the place for which Infinite Wis
dom brought him into being
Senator Meharl was a firm believer in
the Christian religion, and although l
have been told that he was not mem-
Der Of the church, his loyalty 70 its creed
and his confidence in its doet rines, were
apparent 10 all who were on tsrms Of in
timacy with him. He did not regard the
present as being all of life, 1t looked
upon it as preparatory scene, in which
faith msy be cultivated. hope expanded
and charity exercised, and the living
prepared for brighter and be tier home
beyond. And now, Mr.. Pres dent, We
stand here in the presence Of Il is vacant
seat that is covered with crepe and fow-
ers, and toward which our ewes have
turned so often during the cor tinusnee
of this extra session, to say our last fare
well. We can but feel that this seat has
been made vacant by the removal of one
whose loss is felt by the Commorwe 3lth,
as well as by his friends and colleagues
/ 1t will be no small task for the district
he represented to find successor that
will be in all respects competent To fill
his place. Standing here, 50 near this
vacant seat, the question comes 10 me
constantly, why should such life, one
50 valuable 10 society, 50 fruitful Of good
in the past, and yet 50 full of bright pros
| poets for the future, terminate 50 soon
We know that the period Of human life IS
uncertain, and that nothing Is moro GER
tain than its end, and we bow in silent
resignation to the Divine viii, when
death comes to those who seem to have
finished their work, and who are weary
Of life and burdened with the weight Of
years, but when, as in this case, fellow
laborer who is but in the prime Of his
manhood falls, one whose voice is need
ed in the councils Of the Commonwealth
and whose professional skill will be sadT
" missed by many who for years have
been accustomed to look to him for re-
lief from suffering and pain, though we
still reverently bow 70 tie Divine decree,
We can but feel that it is mystery Of
Providence too deep for human eompre-
hension, and ike children weary Of the
darkness of night, and crying for the
light, We sait for the dawn Of that morn
ing when all that is now enshrO1ded in
mystery shall be revealed. and when in
the brighter light of the eternal day, we
shall be able to see how the things that
seem to be against rs now are by an inyis
ible hand made to work for our lpresent
and eternal good.
have thus far spoken only Of the loss
sustained in the death Of Senator Mehsrd
by the Commonwealth, his constituents,