The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-08
ANNOUNCED IN THE house
Formal Notice of Representative
Harmer's Death Received.
Resolutions of Regret Adopted and
Committee Appointed to Attend
the Funeral Mt Philadelphia - SIR.
BinGlam's Tribute to His Dead COL
league An Early Adjournment.

The death OF Representative Alfred c..
Harmer of Pennsylvania was formally an
nounced to the House of Representatives
by his colleague. Mr.. Bingham, immedi-
ately after the prayer of Chaplain Couden
yesterday, and as a mark of respect to
the memory of the deceased the House
adjourned.
Reference to Mr. Harmer's death was
made BY the Chaplain. and at the concur
sion of the announcement by Mr.. Bing-
ham. resolutions of regret were adopted
and the following members of the House
were designated by Speaker Henderson a
committee TO attend the funeral at Phila-
delphia on Friday: Messrs. Bingham,
Adams. Young McAleer Dalzell, Brosius,
Wanger. Butler. Ketcham. McCleary Bah
cock. Richardson, Catchings, Terry. and
Fitzgerald.
The desk of Mr.. Harmer to the left of
the Speakers desk, in the front row, was
drapcd with mourning and covered with
flowers. Mr.. Bingham. in announcing the
death of the Father of the House." said
in part:
He was the Father of the House
not more because of his long. continuous
service than because OF the affection and
esteem in which he was held by the men,
bers.'' He said he did not intend to make
any extended remarks at this time, but
felt that he should be doing far less than
his affection and duty demanded did lie
not say few words in tribute to the men,
DRY of his deceased colleague.
From his twenty first year" contin-
ued Mr. Bingham, he commenced his
public service as a representative OF his
people and until the day of his cath,
with but few years of intermission, con-
tinued their representative either rn the
councils Of the city, in offices of trust. or
as Representative in Congress. He died
in the same community in which he was
born and among the people who for more
than half a 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 Congress-men most eX-
ceptional in their usefulness and yeas OF
service. | desire to group together the
names of those four members whose rec
ord today belongs to the whole country.
and for whose memory the people of Phil
adelphia has especial affection: Judge W.
d. Kelley. who was elected to fifteen Con-
Charles O'Neill, who was also elected to
fifteen Congresses and served twenty-nine
years; Samuel J. Randall, who was elected
to fourteen Congresses and served twenty
seven years. and our colleague, just
deceased, Alfred c. Harmer. who was like
wise elected to fourteen Congresses and
served twenty seven years-in all 1i2 years
of service given by those four distinguish
ed dead-a record unparalleled in the his
tory Of the country"
Mr.. Harmer was a member OF the Com
mittee on the District of Columbia. and
when that committee met yesterday morn
ing Mr.. Babcock, the Chairman. announced
the death. The following resolutions were
adopted:
The Committee on the District of Columbia
have heard with profound o: the death of
Hon. Alfred &. Harmer late Representative
from the State Of Pennsylvania.
The long and faithful services of Mr.. Harmer
is an efficient member OF this committee deserve
something than passing notice. His col
leagues on the committee entertained the highest
respect fnr Mr. li1rmer in their associations with
him. Tiny always found him to be high minded
gentlerr4 an earnest in the discharge of his duties.
fearless in action, and gentleman OF the highest
character The committee appreciate the fact
that they will miss him in their deliberations. Tor
they have always found him to be man OF ex-
ccllent Judgment, unnluenced by anything eN-
cepting the discharge Of his duty fearlessly AS he
saw it. a who never Welded TO any sentiment,
and anxious to serve his cOuEtry in an honorable
and high minded manner. Those having business
relations with Kim could always rely upon his
Judgment. because Jf his disinterestedness and
determination to be right.
pasoIyed. That a copy of the minutes OF this
meeting be forwarded 10 the family Of the de
ceased and spread upon the records OF the com
mittee.
Resolved further. That out OF respect to the
memory OF the deceased the committee do now
adjourn.
The Congressional party to attend the
funeral will leave Washington tomorrow
at = 80 a. M. and will be in charge of
Sergeant-at-Arms Casson.