Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-03-07

| been a matter of universal regret on the
part Of members of both parties In the
House, we'll as in the Senate. His serv-
ice for five consecutive terms breaks the
record so far as Nebraska is concerned and
as chairman of the House committee on
public buildings and grounds he has dis
bursed over $46,O0O,OOO during that time.
The bills which have been prepared under
Mr. Mercers hands for the erection of
public buildings throughout the country
have been compiled with such diplomacy
and skill that they have been in every re-
spect the most popular measures on which
the House has taken action:
He originated the idea Of the omnibus
public building bill, which combined the ne
cessities of the country into one bill, and
thus obtained the unanimous support OF
delegations from every section.
Mr.. Mercer has been consistent and en-
thusiastic friend of the District of Colum
bia so far as legislation in Congress is con-
cerned He was member of the District
committee and as chairman of the public
building committee was in a position to do
the District much good. He was a firm
believer in Greater Washington and lost
no opportunity to show his friendship in a
substantial way. Every omnibus public
building bill contains something for the
District and the District items were looked
after personally in the House and in con-
ference by Mr.. Mercer
Friends Working for Him.
When it became known that Mr.. Mercer
naQ Deen QeIedteu his 1TleUuS III DOtn
houses of Congress began movement at
once for place for the popular Nebraskan
which would serve promotion rather
than a demotion in his retirement from
Congress. He has been mentioned for
place on the fsthmian canal commission
and for membership on the board of gen.
eral appraisers, either of which places his
ability and attainments amply fit him for.
AS director of the census, however, Mr..
Mercer's qualifications perhaps combine
most happily SO far diplomacy, firmness
and good judgment are concerned, to make
him the ideal man for the place.
Ever since Mr.. Mercer has been in Congress
he has been a strong factor in the House.
He has an exceedingly engaging manner,
and has fine quality of discriminating in
his friendships. When he came to Wash
ington first, ten years ago. it was to repre-
sent the district, a portion of which was
previously represented by William j. Bryan.
He was appointed by Speaker Crisp in the
Fifty third Congress to the committee on
public buildings and grounds. When the
House was reorganized by the republicans
| in the Fifty fourth Congress. Mr.. Reed ap-
pointed him on the same committe, and
he was within three places of the head
of which Representative Milliken was then
the chairman. In the Fifty-fifth Congress,
by the death of Mr.. Milliken and the refusal
of Representative Morse of Massachusetts
to take the position of chairman, Mr.. Mer-
Ger took the head of the table in this COM
mittee.
Mr.. Mercer is a native of Iowa, having
been born in Denton county In 1857. His
parents removed to Illinois soon after. His
father was a captain in the civil war and
marched with Sherman to the sea, going to
Nebraska and settling at BroWnvile imme-
diately after the close Of the rebellion. Mr.
Mercer's father was a blacksmith, and
young Dave received his earliest training at
the forge. His father. however, provided
schooling for him, and he was graduated in
law and began practicing that profession
before he entered politics.