The age-herald., 1900-03-08
HOUSE MOURNS THE
 DEATH OF FARMER
The Father of the House" Has
 Departed.
HE WAS IN FEEBLE HEALTH
Though His Death Was Not Unexpect- ed it Cast Gloom Over the Pro ceedings - Aldrich Robbins
 Case Again Postponed

Washington, March 7.aThe death of Rep resentative Harmer of Pennsylvania, the farther of the house," cast a deep gloom over proceedings to-day. Although he was known to be in feeble health his death came as a shock 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 in the in- coming speaker at the opening of 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 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 oath to General Henderson
 Mir. Harmer seldom addressed the house during his long term of service, but he was an active committee worker, popular per sonally and exercised 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 con tinuously for twenty years. Both in length
 
 ceeded by MT. Cannon of Illinois, chairman of the appropriations committee, who was first elected to the forty-thllrd congress, and who is serving his thirteenth term, but his term was not continuous, he having failed of reelection in the fifty-second con- gress Mir Grow of Pennsylvania, the ven erable ex-speaker is the oldest member. He first came to congress in 1851, but there was a long hiatus in his service. from 1863 to 1895 The distinction of 'father of the house. belongs to him 'W'ho has served longest in continuous service.
 Desk Draped in Black
 MT. Hammers desk today was draped in hlapk and covered wlita flowers. The blind chaplain in his invoca'tton referred feel ingIy to the loss the house and the coun- try had sustained. Upon the request of Mr. Mann of Illinois, in charge of bhe Ald- rich Robbins contest election caSe,l WIl1cn was to have been voted upon atF 2;3o p. 1n today, the vote was postponed until to- morrow, to allow the house to adjourn out of respect to MT. Hammers memory
 MT. Overstreet of Indiana, in charge of the conference report upon the financial bll presented the report to the house, and said he would call up the report at the earliest possible moment.
 MT Richardson announced blrat tine mi nority would demand time to debate the report .
 '"There is very Nttle now in it." said MT. Overstreet "practicafly nothing except the refS-l,iing provision" -re.s
 Certainly the bimetaliec amendment is new" observed MT. Richardson.
 'Tlhat is of little importance replied MT. Overstreet. af.s Fa.y
 '"rhe gentleman a6nrts it is unilmpor- tant?
 q frankly say consider it of little inn partance," reiterated Mr. Overstreet.
 "We want time to show that" retorted MT. Richardson who continuing safd the minority would ask for four hours. With out agreeing to that the matter went over.
 MT. Bingham of Pennsylvania offered the customary resolutions of regret at the deat of Mr. Harmer, and the speaker ap- pointed committee to attend the funeral. Then at 1925 D. m further mark of respect tine house adjourned.