The Saint Paul globe., 1900-03-08

Bingham - Four Distinguished
Sons of the keystone State and
Their Services fn Congress Emu
merated-FinanciaI Bill Debate.
WASHINGTON, March THE death
of Representative Harmer Of Pennsyr-
vania, the father of the house., cast a
deep gloom over proceedings today. AL
though 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 contin-
uous service. AS such 1t was his duty to
swear in the incoming speaker at the
opening of each congress. His only ap-
pearance in the house this season was
when he made a special trip from Phila-
delphia at the opening of the session in
December to administer the oath to
Speaker Henderson. lie was then in a
| 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
Gen. Henderson
Mr.. Harmer seldom addressed the house
| during his long term of service, but he
was an active committee worker, popu-
| lar personally, and exercised much influ-
ence in quiet way. His death makes
Gen. Henry Bingham OF Pennsylvania
the father of the house" He began his
services 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 appropria-
| tions committee, who was first elected
TO the Forty-third congress, and who is
serving his thirteenth term, but his term
was not continuous, he having failed for
reelection 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 long hiatus in his service
from 1868 to 1895. The distinction Of ia
ther cf the house belongs to him who
has served longest in continuous service.
DESK DRAFED.
Mr.. Harmer's desk today was draped
in black and covered with flowers The
blind chaplain, In his invocation, referred
feelingiy TO the loss the house and the
country had sustained Upon the request
s
drich-RObbins contested election case
which was to have been voted upon at
z30 p. m. today, the vote was postponed
until tomorrow to allow the house to ad-
Journ out of respect to Mr.. Harmer's
memory.
MIR. Overstreet Qnd.), in charge of the
conference report upon the financial BILL
presented the report to the house, and
said he would call up the report at the
earliest possible moment
Mr.. Richardson announced that the
minority would demand time to debate
the report.
There is very little new in it, said
Mr.. OVerstreet, practically nothing, ex-
cept the refunding provision"
Certainly the bimetallic amendment is
new" observed Mr.. Richardson.
THAT is of little Importance" replied
Mr.. Ovewstreet
THE gentleman admits it is unim-
! portant?'
IT frankly say l consider it of little
Importance reiterated Mr. OVerstreet
I'VE want time TO show that" retorr,
ed Mr. Richardson who, continuing, said
the minority would ask for four hours.
Without agreeing to that the matter
went over.
DEATH ANNOUNCED.
Mr.. Bingham (Pa) then announced the
death of Mr.. Harmer His beloved col.
league, he said was of right recognized
as the father of the house" But he
was more than that. He was the father
of the house in the affection and nigh re-
gard in which he was held by the mem,
bers of the body. He died in the same
community in which he was born, and
among the people who, for more than half
century, loved and hOnored him pel son.
ally, and held him in such high esteem
and confidence that only death could
sever their close relations. He was ono
of 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
people of their own home CONSTITUENCIES,
as We'll as to their state and ration. The
names of these four members whose
record today belongs to the whole coun-
try and for whose memory the people f
Philadelphia have especial affection Mr..
Bingham said, are Judge w. D. Kelly.
who was elected to fifteen congresses and
served twenty nine years; Mr. Charles
O'Netll, who was elected to fifteen con-
crosses and served twenty-nine wears.
| Mr.. Samuel j. Randall, who was elected
| to fourteen congresses, and served tWen-
| ty-seVen years, and Mr.. Harmer who
| likewise was elected to fourteen congress.
es and served twenty-seven years-in all
| 1l2 years Of service given by those four
| distinguished dead-a record unparalleled
in the history OF the country
Mr.. Bingham then offered the Gus
| tomary resolutions of regret and the
| speaker appointed the following funeral
committees: Messrs. Bingham Adams,
| Young, McAleer, Dalzell, Brosius, Wan
ger and Butler, of Pennsylvania; Ketch-
am, New York; McCleary, Minnesota;
Babcock Wisconsin; Richardson, Tennes-
see; Catchings, Mississippi; Terry, Arkan-
sas, and Fitzgerald, Massachusetts.