The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-03-08
House AdjOurns Out of Respect
to His Memory.
HE WAS OLDEST MEMBER
HAD SERVED ~ YEARS FROM
PENNSYLVANIA.
His Death Now Makes General Henry
Bingham, Also of Pennsylvania,
the Father of the House"-No
Business Transacted Yesterday
Committee VIII Attend Funeral.


Washington, March THE death of
Representative Harmer OF Pennsyl-
vania, 1.-THE Father Of the House" cast
a deep gloom over proceedings today.
Although he was known TO be in feeble
health his death came as a shock to
his colleagues, by whom he was uni
versally beloved. He was the oldest
member of the house, both in length OF
service and in continuous service. AS
such it was his duty TO swear in the
each congress.
His only appearance in the house this
session was when he made a special
trip from Philadelphia at the opening
of the session in December to admin
lister the oath to Speaker Henderson.
He was then in feeble condition. and
his eyeSight was so poor that John T.
Chauncey, one of the oldest employees
of the house, was obliged to prompt
him while he read the oath to General
Henderson.
Mr. HarmeT seldom addressed the
house during his long term of sssSvice,
but he was an active committee
worker, popular personally, and eXer-
cised much influence in a quiet way.
His death makes General Henry
Bingham of Pennsylvania the Father
Of the House" He began his service
in the Forty-sixth congress, and has
served continuously for twenty years.
Both in length and priority of service
Mr.. Bingham is exceeded by Mr.. Can
non of Illinois, chairman of the appro-
hO
elected to the FOrty-third congress, and
who is serving his thirteenth term, but
his term was not continuous. he hav-
ing failed of reelection in the Fifty
second congress.
Mr.. Grow Oldest Member.
Mr.. Grow of Pennsylvania. the ven
cradle ex-speaker, is the oldest mem
Der. He first came to congress in 1851,
but there was a long hiatus in mis- SER
vice from 1868 to 1895. The distinction
of Father of the House belongs to
him who has served the longest in con-
tinuous service.
Mr.. Hammers desk today was draped
IN black and covered with flowers. The
blind chaplain, in his invocation, re-
ferred feelingly to the loss the house
and country had sustained.
Upon the request of Mr.. Mann Qlls.),
in charge of the Aldrich-Robbins' con-
tested election case, which was to have
been voted upon at $3.50 O'clock today,
the vote was postponed until tomorrow
TO allow the house to adjourn out OF
respect to Mr.. Harmer's memory.
Mr.. Overstreet Qnd), in charge OF
the conference report upon the financial
BILL presented the report TO the house,
and said he would call up the report at
the earliest possible moment. Mr..
Richardson announced that the minor
ity would demand time to debate the
report.
There is very little new in it." said
Mr.. Overstreet. Practically nothing
except the refunding provision
Certainly the bimetallic amendment
is new observed Mr.. Richardson.
That is of little Importance" re-
piled Mr.. Overstreet.
''The gentlemen admit it is unim-
portant."
Bimetallism Of Little Importance.
Il frankly say, I consider it Of little
Importance" reiterated Mr.. Overstreet.
I'VE want time TO show that" re-
torted Mr.. Richardson, who continu-
ing, said the minority would ask for
four hours.
Without agreeing to that the matter
went over.
Mr.. Bingham Pa.) then announced
the death of Mr.. Harmer. His beloved
colleague, he said, was Of right recog-
niZed as the Father of the House
But he was more than that He was
the father of the house in the affection
and high regard in which he was held
by the members of the body.
He was one of a marked group of
four men whom the city OF Philadel-
phia sent to the American congress.
The names of those four members.
whose record today belongs to the
whole country. and for whose memory
the people of Philadelphia have espec-
ial affection, Mr.. Bingham said, are
Judge W. d. Kelly, who was elected to
fifteen congresses and served twenty
nine years; Mr.. Charles O'NeiIl. who
was elected to fifteen congresses and
served twenty-niEe years; Mr. Samuel
j. Randall, who was elected TO four
teen congresses and served twenty
seven years, and Mr.. Harmer who
likewise was elected TO fourteen con-
crosses and served twenty-seven years
-112 years Of service given by these
four distinguished dead-a record IN
paralleled in the history of the coun-
try.
Mr.. Bingham then offered the custo-
mary resolutions of regret and the
speaker appointed the funeral commit
tee of fifteen members.
Then, at 1925 p. m, as a further
mark of respect, the house adjourned,
-<O-aH