The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-27

upon the street received from him kind
word that made the child treasure the
| fact that he knew Governor Gear
The capitol of Iowa, situated upon an
| eminence, with a long slope going down
| to the river was, in the winter days when
! Gear was Governor. the great coasting
| place for the young lads and lassies of
| Des Moines; and this man, who held the
| highest Office in the State would take
! pride as he went from the capitol in say
| ing to them. Let me have ride with
| you until every morning as he left his
| Office, there was contest among the boys
and girls of the capital city as TO who
should have the honor of taking the Gov
ernor on the bob-sled and coasting him
down the long incline.
These things. MIR. Speaker. were done
at the time simply from the kindness and
goodness CT his heart; but as the years
passed on and when younger men were
wanting to crowd him out of political po-
sition and take his place On the ground
that he was too old to serve the State.
these boys with whom he played in their
early days and had grown to manhood.
these young fellows who had met Gov
ernor Gear when he was Governor of the
State and when he was active in State
politics. rallied to his support and formed
a solid phalanx and said to the people of
the State of Iowa: This man has per-
formed such great, such honorable ser
vice. that we all think it proper and right
TO renominate him and keep him in the
Senate
His loss will be mourned in Iowa while
the generation now living there shall rule.
His memory will be borne in the affec
tionate hearts of the people he served SO
we'll. We will build him an enduring
monument in our State, in the affections
of our children, and we can say TO his
ri hot hav tax
fact that they we're related in any way to
this splendid specimen of American man
hood and American craftsmanship.
MIR. Speaker, l only regret that l have
not had an opportunity to more effectively
pay my tribute of respect and affection to
the memory of my friend, the late Sen
ator John Henry Gear who was also the
friend of all the people and of all the
interests of the great State of Iowa, as
he was the friend of the best interests of
the people of the entire United States. He
is gone We mourn him and can say in
all truth Go search the land of living
men, where shall we find his like again.
Mr. Lanham said:
II became acquainted with Senator Gear
in the Fiftieth Congress, when he was first
a member of the House, and was at once
interested in him. Bringing with him as
he did a conspicuous record of former
prominent public service in his State.
large experience in political and business
affairs, and entering Congress somewhat
late in life, l felt more than usually in
clined TO observe and study him, 10 learn
and know him He made a strong and I'M |
usual impression upon me. He was strik |
ingly natural and singularly free from any |
sort of affectation. There was naught of |
veneer about him. He was notably plain
and practical and straightforward. There
was nothing in his dress, his mannerism,
l.. st. nc ar-aI duct
that did not attest his simplicity and sin |
cerity His mien and modus convinced any !
careful observer that he was an earnest, |
solid man. and one who could be thorough |
" trusted in important concerns. His |
walk and conversation invited confidence /
and gave assurance that he was above dis |
No man ever felt i'll at ease /
in his presence.
81 think he was one OF the most artless
public men / ever knew ] never heard /
him speak word or do a thing which |
seemed TO be spoken or done for the |
mere sake of form. / once heard a com |
pliment bestowed upon worthy man and |
which, though expressed in homely phrase, !
carried with it wealth of communication
that no polished diction could surpass.
1t was this: He was a good, square.
everyday man ] would underscore these
words and intensity their significance in
submitting my estimate of Senator Gear.
He was the same good man each succeed
ing day of his life, with uniform upright |
bearing and generous demeanor. / believe !
that his humblest constituent would have |
been as kindly received and considerably I
treated by him amid his distinguished |
at the Federal Capital as |
at his own home in Iowa. These traits of |
character and these modes of conduct are ,
testimonials of real greatness
and exalted worth.
The fidelity and efficiency with which
he filed every engagement, the accepta- |
bility of his varied service to his people, !
their repeated endorsements of his course, /
and the eminent success he achieved all !
combined to proclaim him no ordinary |
man. He was equal to every demand |
upon him and faithful to every trust re
posed in him.
He was possessed of deep and com
prehensive intellect, ready discern |
ment, and strong, practical judgment. |