The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-27

En1ories and Funerals.

EuIOgies and Funerals.
1t seems very difficult for US. as a PEG
PIE, to get out of old customs. We are
progressive, truly, but at the same time
we cling to some obsolete obseryances
with tenacity which is remarkable when
viewed in the light Of common sense and
modern times. A matter in illustration is
the Congressional euIogy. 1t was the Gus
tom Of lhe Romans and other ancieuts to
make high-fown speeches, rhetorical eulo-
gies, over the biers of their dead states
men and warriors. We adhere to that Gus
tom to this day in our Congress, except
that the bier and the corpse are removed
and the members who deliver addresses
upon their departed conferees talk to
empty benches instead of to large audi
ences as in the old tines A recent oc-
currence in the House Of Representative
may be referred to by way of showing
how much sincerity there is in Congress
sional sorrow. and what the Congressional
eulogy amounts to-
Isham G. Harris, a senator of and from
the state of Tennessee, recently departed
this life. For long term of years he
was a leader in Congress. He was of more
| than ordinary force of character. He was
the most accomplished parlamentarian in
the Senate. He took an active part in the
discussion and settlement of all public
questions. He was statesman, universal
| ly recognized as SUCH and universally re-
spected. When he died the country ex-
perienced pang of sorrow, and Congress.
| In accordance with its custom provided
| for him congressional funeral and set
! apart days on which eulogies upon his life
and service Were to be pronounced. When
the time for the House eulogies came
around, and Mr.. Carmack of Tennessee
arose to speak. there were fifteen people
upon the House floor, and they were not
all membersi OF the several hundred
members of the body, all save less than
fifteen had left the chamber in order TO
avoid the Congressional eulogy, upon one
who had lately been one of the foremost
members of Congress. The probabilities
are that none save those who were on the
lists to speak remained in the chamber
and that they would not have done il ex-
cept that stern duty required them to do
so in order that their remarks might ap-
pear in the Congressional Record. And
after the perfunctory speeches, the House
adjourned for the remainder of the day
as "a mark of respect" Thus hours Of
valuable time were wasted upon a useless
formality, which added no honor to the
memory of the late Senator Harris In
deed, it Is possible that the rugged old man
would have objected to the mummery had
it been possible for him to do so. A simple
resolution in memory of the dead states
man would have served every purpose
and the business of the country could have
gone on as before, without detracting in
the least degree from the respect in which
the deceased is held.
The Congressional funeral is another
function which should become obsolete;
and the quicker the better 1t has been
the source of some of the most deplorable
scandals which have ever smirched pub
lie body. At one time, and that not so
very long ago, each recurring funeral of
a congressman was a source of scandal
The funeral committee the official MOURN
ers made more or less hilarious junkets
of the funeral trips, spending hundreds
and often thousands of dollars of the pub
lie money for their entertainment; the
said entertainment consisting largely of
whisky, wine, cigars, mineral waters
cards. swell dinners and even at times
articles of clothing. During the past few
| years these functions have been conduct
ed in a little more orderly and decent
manner. but there is still great room for
Improvement.
The Congressional eulogy and the Con-
gressional funeral ought to be done away
with, except in the possible case of the
death of a really great man, when some
demonstration might be in order.
Under present circumstances the
eulosies and the funerals mean
nothing at all, except that they
are customary The small-bore, peanut
politicians who, chances to force himself
into Congress receives as much attention
if he happens to die during his term as
the most profound statesman of the age.
The functions, therefore, are meaningless
in so far as comforting distinction is con-
cerned, besides which they cost the gov
eminent round sums of money and inter-
fere with the prompt transaction of the
public business
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