Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-03-08
BINGHAM IS FATHER
Late Harmer's Mantle Falls to
Another Pennsylvania.
DEEP GLOOM IN THE HOUSE.
Death of Barmer Shocked the Members,
Although They Knew He Was In Feeble
HeaIth-THt over the Financial Bill
Report Occurred.

WASHINGTON, March s.-The death of
Representative Harmer, of Pennsylva-
mia, the Father Of the House, cast
deep gloom over the proceedings. Al
though he was known to be in feeble
health, his death came as a shock 20 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 incoming
speaker at the opening Of each congress.
Ills only appearance III tie house his SEES
sion was when he made u special tip from
Philadelphia, at the opening of the session
in December, to administer the oath to
Speaker Henderson. He was then in a
feeble condition, and his eyesight was so
poor that John Il. Chauncey, one of the
oldest employees of the house, was obliged
To prompt him while he read the oath to
General Henderson. Mr.. Hammer seldom
addressed the house during his long term Of
service, but he was an active committee
worker, popular personally, and exercised
much influence in quiet way. His death
makes General Henry Bingham, Of Pennsyl-
yania, the "Fathcr Of the House." He began
his service in the Forty=sixth congress, and has
served continuously for 20 years. Both in
length and priority of service Mr.. Bingham is
exceeded by Mr.. Cannon, of Illinois, chairman
OF the appropriations 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 of reelection
in the Fifty-second congress
Mr.. Grow, of Pennsylvania, the venerable ex-
speaker, is the oldest member. He first came
to congress in 1851, but there was a long hiatus
in his service from 1868 to 1888, The distinction
OF sfather of the house belongs to Linn who
has served longest in continuous service.
II
covered with flowers The blind chaplain, IN
his invocation, referred feeingly to the loss the
house and the country had sustained. Upon the
request of Mr.. Mann, of Illinois, in charge of
the AldrchRobbins contested election case,
which was to have been voted upon, the vote
was postponed until today, to allow the house
to adjourn out of respect to Mr.. Harmer's
memory,
Mr.. Overstreet, of Indiana, in charge of the
conference report upon the financial bill, pre-
scented the report to the house and said he
weuld 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 except the re-
funding provision"
Certainly the bimetalie amendment is
new observed Mr. Richardson.
THAT is of little Importance" replied Mr.
Overstreet
1.-THE gentleman admits it is unimportant ?"
Il frankly say l consider il of little import
ance reiterated Mr.. Overstrcet.
I'VE want to show that retorted Mr. Rich
ardson, Who continuing, said the minority
would ask for four hours. Without agreeing
to that the matter went over.
Mr. Bingham pa then announced the death
of Mr.. Hammer. His beloved colleague, he
said, was Of right recognized as the father of
the house" but he was more than that. He
the father of the house in the affection
and high regard in which he was held by the
members of the body. He died in the same
community in which he born and among
the people who, for more than half century
loved and honored him personally and held
him in such high esteem and confidence that
only death could sever their close relations He
was one Of marked group of four men whom
the city of Philadelphia sent to the American
congressman most exceptional in their use
fitness and years Of service to the people of
their home constituencies as well as their state
and nation.
The names of those four members whose rec.
ord today belongs to the whole country and
for whose memory the people Of Philadelphia
hryeespecial affection, Mr.. Bingham said, are
Judge w. D. Kelley, who elected to Is con-
crosses and served 70 years. Mr.. Chas O'Neil
who was elected to Is congresses and served IS
years; Mr.. Samuel J. Randall who was elected
to Ia congresses and served q years, and Mr.
Harmer, likewise elected to IA congresses,
and served q years-in all, 119 years of service
given by these four distinguished dead-a record
unparalleled in the history of the country.
Mr. Bingham then offered the customary
resolutions of regret and the speaker appointed
the following funeral committee Messrs.
Bingham, Adams, Young, McAleer Dalzell,
Brosius, Wanger and Butler. of Pennsylvania
Ketcham IN. W, McCleary (Minn,l, Babcock
(Wis), Richardson tTenn.f, Catchings (Miss.),
Terry (A,k.l and Fitzgerald (Mass.l.
As further mark of respect the house adj
journed.
MAKE Nh pROMTSFS