The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-12-01
The Railroad Commissioner Elect
Passes Away, Surrounded by
Members of His Family.
WAS CONSCIOUS TO THE LAST.
Body to Be Shipped to Sedalia for
Burial-Elks Have Charge Of
the Funeral-Status of
the Office.

Joseph Patrick Harrington. Railroad and
Warehouse Commissioner-elect. who had
been seriously i'll for the last three weekA
died this morning at 1.02 o'clock at the red.
dcnce Of T. A. Morgan. No. 1898 West Pine
boulevard. His death had been momsn-
tar1ly expected for the last few days
At his bedside when the end came -
his wife; his sister. Mrs. Margaret
Sweeney Of Moberly. Mo-: Mrs Laurie
sister-in-law: A. Harrington. a cousin, sof
Sedalia: Art Hawkins. a nephew; William
A. Baker, A. c. Donahoe and Mr.. Z. A.
Morgan of this city.
Mr. Harrington retained his consciousness
to the last and answered the few questiDns
the physicians would permit his friends and
relatives to ask him. He made no dying
requests and received the last sacramentS Of
the Catholic Church from Father McESianA
8. j.. OF st. Francis Xavier's Church
The funeral arrangements have been COM
pleted. This afternoon st. Louis Lodgs. B.
r. o. E. No. .. will escort the body to
Union statf~N where, at SIS O'Clock, II VIII
be placed on hissoId train, the Katy Flysr.
and shipped to Sedalia- At Sedalia the body
will be taken to the residence Of A Her
rington. a nephew of the dead man. at No.
Ill West Fifth street. Tomorrow afternoon
the funeral will take place. Services viii
be conducted by the Sedalia lodge Of Eks.
No. LIS. The honorary pallbearers wm b
chosen this morning.
Mr.. Herington was 4s years old. He was
born in London. Canada. In 1854. and came
to the United States when a boy and later
started railroading. He rapidly rose from
the ranks. and for many years was q con-
ductor on the NJ. X. & T. r. R and also
ran on the Wabash. He resigned his POSI-
Inn md ,cfn nyr he u ofxv Yyo.
his election to the position of Railroad and
Warehouse Commissioner on November In
addition to the Elks he was q member Of the
Knights Templars Mystic Shrine and the
Order of Railway Conductors. His homo
was in Sedalia. but on account of his rail-
road run he was well known in St Louis.
His wife was Miss Lillian Arnold Of Car
roll County. Missouri. She Is q niece ok
Judge Joshua Hicltlin of Gallatin. Davisss
County. Mo.
Several months ago Mr.. Harrington was
stricken with Bright's disease. and for
some time his life was despaired Of, but,
owing to his robust constitution, be msn-
aged to fight OF the attack and regain his
health. Three weeks ago. while returning
from. walk. he contracted a heavy cold,
which necessitated his confinement in bed
His condition grew steadily worse until
death came
Status Of the once.
Inc question OF WndC PROCEDURE VIII 70
inaugurated to fill the office Of Railway
and Warehouse Commissioner has been the
subject for considerable discussion. IN
some quarters 1t was said that unless NJ
Harrington had qualified for the ofi1ce Do
fore he died. Joseph Flory. Republican mem
ber of the commission. whose term OF once
expires January s. will hold over. but there
are others who dispute this.
1t was asserted last night that the Consu-
tuition. which provides for the qualiicanon
of Governor. Lieutenant Governor. Secfe-
tary of State. State Auditor and Stafe
Treasurer at the beginning Of their terms
of Office does not cover the offices OF Rait1
way or Warehouse Commissioner. Court OF
Appeal Judges and Circuit Judges. becanse
they are created by Legislative enactment
1t was Auditor Seibert's opinion that II
Mr.. Harrington had qualified before his
death. his successor might be appointed by
Mr. Dockery at the beginning Of his term
Of Office. The question hinges upon tne
point whether the office can be filled De-
fore the time Of the present incumbent ex-
pires.
1t Is said that Mr.. Harrington took the
oath OF office several days ago. Neitnef
Mrs. Harrington nor Mr.. Morgan. at whose
residence the Railway and Warehouse
Commissioner elect died. could verify tnis
last night. Governor Stephens, who was az
the Planters Hotel. said he understood an
effort had been made about a week @S"
to have Mr. Harrington qualify.