The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-08
FINANCIAL BILL DELAYED.


WASHINGTON, March 1.-The death of
Representative Harmer of Pennsylvania,
the father 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 loved. He
was the Oldest member of the House in
length Of service and in continuous serv-
ice. As such il was his duty to swear in
the incoming speaker at the opening Of
Congress. His only appearance I'm the
House this session was when he made a
short trip from Philadelphia at the open
ing of the session, in December, to admin
lister the oath to Speaker Henderson. He
was then in feeble condition, and his eye
sight 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. Mr.. Har-
mer seldom addressed the House during
his long term of service, but he was an
active committee worker popular person
ally and exercised much influence in a
quiet way.
Mr.. Harmers death makes General Hen
ry Bingham, of Pennsylvania, the father
of the House. He began his service in
the Forty-sixth Congress, and has served
continuously for twenty years. Both in
length and priority of service Mr.. Bingham
Is exceeded by Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois,
chairman of the appropriation committee,
who was first elected TO the Forty-third
Congress, and who is serving his thirteenth
term. but his service was not continuous.
he having failed of reelection in the Fifty
second Congress. Mr.. Grow, of Pennsyl-
vania, the venerable ex-speaker is the old
nctv ,Ixrx II a. a..
1851, but there was a long hiatus in his
service, from 1863 to 1885 The distinction
OF father of the House belongs to him
who has served longest in continuous serv-
ice.
Mr.. Harmer's desk to-day 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 peen voted upon at 2:30
p m, the vote was postponed until to-
morrow to allow the House to adjourn out
OF respect to Mr.. Harmer's memory.
Mr.. Overstreef in charge of the confer
cree report W n the financial bill, pre-
scented the report to the House, and said
he would call up the report at the earliest
possible moment.
Mr.. Richardson announced that the mi
nority would demand time to debate the
report.
There is very little new in it, said Mr..
Overstreet practically nothing, except
the refunding provision"
Certainly the bimetallic amendment is
new" observed Mr.. Richardson.
THAT is of little Importance" replied
Mr.. Overstreet.
'The gentleman admits it is unimpor-
tant?"
Il frankly say consider il of little i'm
portance." reiterated Mr.. Overstreet.
I'VE want time to show that" retorted
Mr.. Richardson, who. continuing. said the
minority would ask for four hours. With
out agreeing TO that the matter went over.
Mr.. Bingham then announced the death
of Mr.. Harmer, and paid an eloquent trib-
ute to his beloved colleague, who was one
of a marked group of four men whom the
city of Philadelphia sent to the American
congressman most exceptional in their
usefulness and years of service to the peo-
pie of their own home constituencies, as
we'll as to their State and Nation. The
Eamcs OF those four members, whose rec
ord to-day belongs to the whole country,
| and for whose memory the people OF Phil
| adelphia have especial affection, Mr.. Bing-
ham said. are Judge w. d. Kelley, who
was elected to fifteen Congresses and
served twenty-nine years; Mr.. Charles
O'Neill, who was elected to fifteen Con-
crosses and served twenty-nine years; Mr..
Samuel j. Randell, who was elected to
| fourteen Congresses and served twenty
seven years; and Mr.. Harmer, who like
| wise was elected TO fourteen Congresses
and served twenty-seven years-in all il2
years of service given by these four dis
| tinguished dead-a record unparalleled in
| the history of the country
Mr. Bingham then offered the customary
resolutions of regret, and the speaker ap-
pointed the following funeral committee:
| Messrs. Bingham, Adams. Young. McAleer.
Dalzell, Brosius, Wanger, Butler, Ketch-
am, McCleary, Babcock, Richardson,
Catchings, Terry and Fitzgerald Then. at
| 1925 p. m, as a further mark of respect
/ "a