The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-09
HOUSE MOURNS ITS FEATHER"
Session Devoged to the Memory of
VII. Harmer. Deceased.


| Washington, March THE death yes
terday of Representative Harmer Of
| PENNSYLVANIA, the Father OF the House.
cast deep gloom over the 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 MEM
| Der of the house, both in length of SER
vice and continues service. As such, it
was his duty to swear in the incoming
speaker at the opening of each congress
| His only appearance in the house this
season was phen 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 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
cath to General Henderson. Mr.. Harmer
seldom addressed the house during his
Ions term of service but he was an ac-
tive committee worker, popular person.
ally and exercised much influence in a
quiet way.
His death makes General Henry Bing-
ham Of Pennsylvania, the father of the
house" He began his service In the
Forty sixth congress and has served con-
tinuously for twenty years. Both in
length and priority of service Mr.. Bing-
ham Is exceeded by Mr.. Cannon of IlH-
nois. chairman of the appropriations COM
mttee who was first elected to the For
ty-third congress and who is serving his
thirteenth term, but his term was not
continuous, he having failed OF re-elec-
ton in the Fifty-second congress.
Mr.. Grow OF Pennsylvania, the vener-
able ex-speaker, is the Oldest member. He
first came to congress in 1851. but there
was a long HIATUS in his service from
1868 to 1895. The distinction Of father OF
the house belongs to him who has serv-
ed longest in continuous service.
Mr.. Harmer's desk today was draped in
black and covered with flowers The blind
chaplain. in his invocation. referred feel
ingly to the loss the house and country
had sustained. Upon the request Of Mr..
Mann GH). in charge Of the Aldrich-
Robbins contested election case, which
was to have been voted upon az 30
o'clock today. the vote was postponed
until tomorrow 10 allow the house 10 ad-
journ out of respect 20 Mr.. Harmer mem
DRY.
Mr. Overstreet Qnd.) in charge OF the
conference report upon the financial bill,
presented the report 70 the house and
said ne would cal Up the report at the
earliest possib moment. Mr.. Richard
son announced that the minority would
demand time 10 debate the report
There is very little new in It." said
Mr.. oveCstreet, practically nothing ex-
cept the refunding provision"
Certainly the biustallic amendment Is
new" observed Mr. Richardson
That is Of little Importance, replied
Mr. OverStreet-
The gentleman admits It Is uuimport-
ant
u frankly say I consider Il az lsttle
Importance" reiterated Mr. Overstreet.
I'VE want time 20 show that" retozJsd
M Richardson. who. continuing. said the
minority would ask Tor four hours VITA
out agreeing TO that the matter Teat
over.
Mr.. Bingham CPa-l tssn announced the
death % Mr.. Hame-. HIS beloved. col
league, he said, was % right. recognized
as the father OF the house" but he vas
more than that He was the father o
the house in the affection and high regard
81 which re was held b. the members
OF tte body. He was ore q a marked
group OF four men whom the city %
Philadelphia cent to the American coz