The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-01

washington Letter. 1hlladclpnla Press
When congress gets together Dec. /
and the Pennsylvania delegation lines
up before the speaker to take the oath
of office. one-third of its members will
DO so for the first time. Eleven of the
delegation were not in the last con-
gress, and ten will begin their congress
sional careers. One, the celebrated Sib-
ley, of Franklin, returns after having
been outside for a term.
While so many new members are pre-
sented, the Pennsylvania delegation is
also noted for having the oldest MEM
Der of the house in point of service. AL
fred c. Harmer, of the Fifth district,
Is the father of the house" He has
been in bad health for some weeks, but
the hope is entertained that he will be
able to attend the opening session and
perform the office of administering the
oath to the new speaker, an honor that
has always been accorded the oldest
member of the house.
There will be another popularity
about the Pennsylvania delegation and
that will be the unusual sight of ten
Democrats standing up in line. This Is
quite a change from the last congress
and the Fifty-fourth congress- when
but three representatives of that party
appeared upon the rolls from Pennsyl-
yania.
THE KEYSTONE DELEGATION.
The list of Pennsylvania congress-
men opens with a very familiar name,
that of Galusha A. Grow, who has been
a figure in Pennsylvania politics for
fifty years. Mr. Grows features are
familiar to everybody. and those who
pass through the speakers lobby and
view the oil portait of the Pennsylva-
nian have no difficulty in recognizing
him on the floor of the house.
The portrait was made many years
ago, but Mr.. Grow has not altered in
feature or figure in a generation. His
hair and beard are perhaps whittier
than they were, but he stands Just as
erect, his voice is just as strong, and
his eye as bright as they were fifty
years ago. The style and material OF
his clothes have not altered for many
years. He wears a high collar with
black tie, a dark blue hroadcloth suit
with low cut vest and long skirts to
the coat, the cut of the garments be-
ing reminiscent of the sixties. Mr..
Grow was 76 years of age last August,
and is still a bachelor
Samuel A. Davenport comes next on
the list as the second Congressman-at- =
large. He Is short Of stature, prim and
neat in appearance. and wears a cute
little gray goatee on his chin. He has
served one term in congress, and has
been good listener.
THE BEAU PRUMMEL.
General Bingham, VINO represents
the First Pennsylvania district. is the
Chesterfield and the Eeau Brummel
of the delegation. Suave and polite in
the extreme, and the pink of perfec-
tion in dress, General Bingham is a
prominent figure on the floor of the
house. He has completed twenty years
service, and is now entering on his
eleventh term as the representative
from the First philadelphia district
He entered in the Fnrty~siXth congress
and has been reelected ever since. He
is one of the influential members Of
the house, and has served on most
of the important committees.
Robert Adams, jr., who succeeded
the venerable Charles O'Neil, of the
Second district, has six years of con-
gressional experience To his credit and
membership on one of the most inn
portant committees of the house that
which has to do with foreign affairs
The greatest burden Mi. Adams has /.