Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-03-08
BINGHAM IS FATHER
Late Harmer's Mantle Falls to
Another Pennsylvania.
DEEP GLOOM IN TIE HOUSE.
Death Of Hnrmer Shocked the Members,
Although They Knew He Was In Feeble
Health-TiIt Over the Financial Bill
Report Occurred.

WASHINGTON, March S.--The death of
Representative Harmer, of Pennsylva-
mia, the "Father of the House." cast
deep gloom over the proceedings. AL
though he was known to be in feeble
health, his death came as sll0ck to his
colleagues, by whom he was universally
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 i'll the incoming
speaker Mt the opening of each SNngrcss.
His only appearance In the house I his ses-
sion was when he made a special trip from
Philadelphia, at the opening of the session
in December, to administer the oath to
Speaker Henderson. He was then in
feeble condition, and his eycsight was so
poor that John 7. Chauncey, one of the
oldest employees OF tho house, was obliged
to prompt him whilo he read the oath to
General Henderson Mr.. Harmer seldom
addressed the house during his long term of
service, but he IN active committee
worker, popular personally, and exercised
much influence in u quic. way. His death
makes General Henry Bingham, Of Pennsyl
vania, the "Fr thor of the House" He began
his service in the Forty sixth congress- and has
served continuously for 20 years. Both in
length and priority OF service Mr.. Bingham is
of the appropriations committee. who was first
elected to the Forty-third cong. ess. and who is
serving his thirteenth term, but his term was
not continuous, he having failed Of reelection
in the Fifty-second congress.
Mr., Grow, Of Pennsylvania. the venerable ex-
speaker, ia the oldest member. He first came
to congress i'll 1851 hut there was long hiatus
in his service from 1868 to 1896. The distinction
Of father Of the house" belongs to him who
has served longest in continuous service
Mr. HarmersNe was draped in black and
covered with flowers. The blind chaplain, IN
his invocation, referred feelingly to the loss the
house and the country had sustained. Upon the
request of Mr.. Mann, Of Illinois, in charge OF
the Aldrich-Robbins contested election case,
which was to have been voted upon, the vote
was postponed until today, to allow the f.ouse
to adjourn out of respect to Mr.. Harmor $
memory.
Mr.. Ovcrstreet, of Indiana, in charge of the
conference report upon the financial bill, pre-,
sented the report to the house and said he
weuld call up the report at the earliest possible
moment
| Mr.. Richardson announced that the minority
would demand time TO debate the report.
"There is very little new in it, said Mr.
| Overstreet, practically nothing except the re.
| funding provision"
Certainly the bimctalic amendment is
new" observed Mr.. Richardson.
THAT is Of little Importance" replied Mr.
| Overstreet.
"Thc gentleman admits it is unmportant ~
II frankly say consider 1t of little import
ance," reiterated Mr.. Oyersreet
I'VE want to show that" retortcd Mr.. Rich
ardson, who, continuing, said the minority
would ask for four hours. without agreeing
| to that the matter went over.
| Mr.. Bingham (Pa.l then announced tho death
| Of Mr.. Harmer. His beloved colleague, he
said, was Of right recognized 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 tn,
| members of the body. He died in~the sam,
community in which he was born, and among
| the people who. for moro than half century
loved and honored him personally and helt
him in such high estecn and confidence tina
only death could sever their close relations. H,
was one of a marked group OF four men whom
the city of philadelphia sent to the American
congressman most exceptional in their use
fulness and years Of service to the people o
their home constituencies as well as their stat,
and nation.
The names of those f,hr members whose rec
ord today belongs to the whole country, ant
for whose memory the people Of Philadelphi;
hrve especial affection, Mr.. Bingham said ar
Judge w. d. Kelley. who was elected to 10 con
grcsscs and served 20 years Mr.. Chas. ONeil
who was elected to 10 congresses and served 2
years. Mr.. Samuel j. Randall who was electe,
to IA congresses and served p years, and Mr.
Harmer, likewise elected to II congresses
and served 2, ycars-in ALL 40 years Of servic
given by these four distinguished dead-a recor,
unparalleled in the history Of the country.
Mr.. Bingham then offered the crrstomar,
resolutions of regret and the speaker appointe
the following funeral committee: Messrs
Bingham, Adams, Young, McAleer, Dalzcl
; Brosius, Wanger and Batter, of Pennsylvania
Kotcham IN. ~, McCleary tMinn,), Babcoc
tWis), Richardson (TcnnD, Catchings Miss
Terry tArS) and Fitzgerald (Mass.)
As further mark Of respect the house at