Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-07

political excitement. with three candidates
In the field, he was nominated by the peo-
pies party, the successors of the old wings,
for recorder of deeds of Philadelphia and
was elected by a majority of :. 1913 votes
over both competitors About the same
time he was appointed by the citizens COM
mittee to collect funds in the tWenty-second
ward for the raising of troops to which
funds he contributed literally himself He
was a delegate in the same wear to the
national republican convention in Chicago
In 1870 Mr.. Harmer was elected to Con-
gress by big majority, and with the ex-
ception of one term has steadily represent
ed his district since. He has ALWAYS been a
warm friend of President Mckinley the
friendship beginning when the President
was representative from Ohio.
On the District Committee.
Mr. Harmer has been a conspicuous fig
ure in the House of Representatives for
many years. He served his first term in
the Forty-second Congress, and has been
reelected to every Congress since except
the Forty-fourth. He represented the
fifth district. which comprises eight wards
In the city Of Philadelphia. AT the time
OF his death he was the senior member in
point of service, in the House the father
of the House. as 1t is usually termed
who administers the oath of office to the
Speaker upon his election.
In this connection it is notable fact
that the father of the House" has hailed
from Philade, phia for many years. Kelly,
Randall. O'Neill. and Hammer have held
this place.
Mr.. Harmer has been one of the hard
working men of the House making his
personality felt In the committees and in
the councils OF the republican party,
rather than in the debates. He was a
most faithful and assidious attendant upon
both the sessions of the House and the
committees of which he was d member
II was his custom to come to Washington
when the session opened and stay until
adjournment of the Congress taking no va
cation in the meantime. He seldom missed
a committee meeting and no matter how
cary in the morning the meeting was
called. the hour stated would find Mr..
Harmer in his seat at the committee table,
contentedly smoking a cigar and waiting
for the belated quorum to appear.
In recent years he served upon the com
mittee on the District of Columbia, and
at the time of his death was the ranking
member. He took great interest in all
legislation relating to steam and street
railway corporations. He was identified
with several railroad enterprises in Penn
sylvania and was engaged upon an ex-
tensive scale in mining and land opera
lions.
For several years Mr. Harrner had re-
sided during the sessions of Congress in
his residence, corner Vermont avenue and
n street, formerly occupied by General
Meigs Mr.. Harmer's daughter, Mrs. Rec
| side. also lives in this city.
Mr.. Harmer's death makes a vacancy
| in the craftsmanship of the House COM
| mittee on library.
Action of District Committee.
When the committee on the District of
| Columbia met this morning Chairman Bah
cock announced the death of Alfred C.
Harmer. late representative from the
state of Pennsylvania.
On motion duly made and seconded, Mr.
Jenkins appointed a committee of
one to draft resolutions expressing the sor-
row Of the committee at the sad informal
ton impaired by the chairman.
The following resolutions were then re-
ported by Mr.. jenkins, and, on motion duly
made and seconded, the same were unani-
mously adopted:
The committee on the District of Column
| bia have heard with profound sorrow Of
| the death of Hon. Alfred C. Harmer late
! a representative from the state of Penn
| sylvania-
The long and faithful services of Mr..
! Harmer as an efficient member of this
| committee deserve something more than
| passing notice. His colleagues on the COM
mittee entertained the highest respect for
| Mr.. Harmer in their associations with him
| They always found him to be a high
| minded gentleman, earnest in the discharge
| of his duties, fearless in action, and a gem
| tieman of the highest character. The COM
\ mittee appreciate the fact that they will
| miss him in their deliberations for they
| have always found him to be a man of ex-
| cellent Judgment, unintiuenced by ANYTHING
/ excepting the ulscharSe OF his duty fear
| lessly as he saw II, man who never YIELD
| ed TO any sentiment, and anxious to serve
/ his country in an honorable and hig mind
| ed manner. Those having business reIa-
tons with him could always rely upon his
| Judgment, because of his disnterestedness
| and determination to be right
| Resolved, That copy Of the minutes of
| this meeting be forwarded to the family of
the deceased and spread upon the records
/ of the committee
] Resolved further, That out Of respect to