^mSsL"'! house of representatives j'°No"^xo' William Henry Flack (Late a Representative from New York) MEMORIAL ADDRESSES ^ Fifty-ninth Congress Second Session HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 24, 1907 SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 2, 1907 Compiled under the direction of the Joint Committee on Printing WASHINGTON : : GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : : 1907 J FEB 31 19C3 D. ot D. MCN,Vvn.,LIAJ/: H TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page. Proceedings in the House 5 Prayer by Rev. Henrj- N. Couden, Ii. D 5, 7 Jleniorial addresses by — Mr. Sherman, of New York 11 Mr. Goulden, of New York 13 Mr. Minor, of Wisconsin 15 Mr. Bennet, of New York 19 Jlr. Perkins, of New York 21 Mr. Driscoll, of New Y'ork 23 Mr. Fitzgerald, of New York 2.S l.Ir. Grosvenor, of Ohio 30 Proceedings in the Senate 33 Memorial address by — Mr. Depew, of New York 37 3 Death of Representative William H. Flack PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE S.VTrKDAV, J-\bii(ary _->, igoj. The House met at 12 o'clock in. Prayer liy the Chaplain, Re\'. Henry X. Coiulen, as follows: Infinite and eternal sjnrit, Ciod, our heavenh- Father, in whom we live and move and have our heint;". We thank Thee for every aspiration, for every earnest and noble endeavor which leads on to larger life and civilization, and for that profound appreciation which enaljles us to recos^^nize the noliil- ity of soul and real worth in our fellow-men. We thank Thee for the special order which .sets apart this da)- as a memorial service to one who became conspictious as a statesman, who by earnest and faithful endeavor ro.se from the humlile position of a page on the floor of the United vStates Senate to a member of that augu.st body, and who by common con.seiit fiecame the leader of his party, than which no greater enconiium could be pronounced, no grander monument reared to liis memory, (irant that his character may ever be an inspiration to noble and pure living to those who survive him and to those who come after us, and Thine be the .glory forever. And now. Almighty Father, we are again moved bv the news of the death of one of our Congressir.\N. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous con.sent that Sunda}-, February 24, be .set apart for the purpose of pronounc- ing eulogies upon the life and character of Hon. Wili.I-Vm H. Fl-\CK, late a Representative from the State of New York. The .Speaker. Is there objection? [After a pause.] The Chair hears none. vSuND.w, February 2^, igoj. The House met at 10 o'clock a. m. Prayer by the Chaplain, Kev. Henry X. Coudeu, D. D., as follows: Lei not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In mv Father' s house are ?)!a)n' mansions: if it 'were not so, I li'ould have told you. /go to prepare a place /or you . For 8 Memorial Addresses: Williaiii I/eiiry Flack we knozi' that if our cartldy iioicse of tliis tabernacle "were dissolved, we have a Imildimr of God, a Iioiise not made 'with hin/ds, ttrn/dl i)i the heavens. For in this -,ee oroan, earnestly desiring to be clothed -with oiir house -ehieh is from heaven: // so be tliat being clothed ~ee shall not be found naked. l^or tee that me in this tabernacle do groan, being bnrdened: not lor that zee 'eoitld be nnilothcd. but clothed upon, that mor- tality might be szeallo-d'cd up of life. Now he that hath lerought us for the selfsame thing is Crod, 'cclio also hath given unto us the earnest of the .Spirit. /■'or [ am p( rsuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, 'whicli is in Christ fcsus our Lord. Ktenial (rod, our heavenly Father, whose heart goes out in ajiprolialion and lo\-e to those who seek to do Thy will and thus add to tlie sum of human happiness and deiiartinn leave the world a little Itetter that the\' have li\x-d and wroui^ht. We thank Thee for the men whose characters and deeds we are here to memorialize, men whose gifts and talents fitteil them in an eminent degree for the onerous duties laid upon them 1)\' their fellow-eiti/.ens. Let Thy blessing, we beseeeli Thee, he upon this service, that those who shall record their tribiue of love and respect ma>' inspire those who shall come after them to faithful service. We thank Thee for the hope of immortalitx' which lifts us in our better moments to larger life and nobler deeds and which bids us look for'v.ard to ,i brighter world be\'ond the Proiccd/ito^s III llic House 9 confines of earth. Let Thine everlasting arms be about those wlio mourn the loss of their dear ones, and in Thine own good time bring them to dwell t(3gether in one of the many mansions prepared for those who lci\-e the Lord, and Thine be the praise forever. Amen . Mr. Shkrm.vx. Mr. Speaker, I offer the resolutions which I .send to the desk. The Clerk read as follows: Rcsoh'ed, That the lju.siness of the House be suspended an-ere all as true as the needle. Beloved Ijy his intimates, respected by his neigh- bors and his constituents, admired by tho.se with knowledge of his reputation, Mr. Flack went to meet his Maker with no fear of the judgment and, I believe, with no wish that even one page of his record as a man might be erased or altered .so far as his relations with his fellow-men were concerned. He believed in his Goil, in his country, in his home, and in his friends. His effort was not for narrow betterment — the betterment of the individual alone — but for the betterment which affected the individuals and the ctMnmunit\- of which he was a part. No trumpet announced his comings and goings, but results told of his being there. He knew his own capacity- and recognized his limitations. He used the former with judg- ment and never attempted to go beyond the latter. He was what he appeared — big of l)od\-, of heart, of brain; true to his honest nistincts. Without effort .so to do, he made and retained warm friends. They were drawn, to him by his splendid, manly qualities, and they staxedwith him fromchoice. To ha\-e been of his friends was a privilege, the memory of which will be pleasing and lasting. Address of Mr. Goii/dcii, of Xczc York 13 Address of Mr. Goulden, of New York Mr, Speaker: Only those who knew \Villiam Henky Flack intimately can appreciate the loss sustained by his luitimely death. It was my good fortune to serve with him on the Committee on the Merchant Marine and Fisheries during two Congresses. Service of this character, and especially as we both came from the Empire State, uiakes companions of Members. The late Mr. Flack was a genial, honorable, wholc-.souled gentleman, a self-made man. He was born in 1861, hence at his untimely death he was le.ss than 46 years of age — in the prime of life. .Since his advent in this House his health had been in rather a precarious condition. Xotwithstandinj; his physical ailments he was faithful in the dischar.s;e of his duties, plea.sant and agreeable in his intercourse with his associates. Of him in his daily work the words of Emerson apph': Life is too short to waste The critic's bite or cynic's bark. Quarrel or reprimand; 'Twill soon be dark: Up! Jlind thine own aim, and God speeil the mark. Being honored by the Speaker with an appointment to attend the funeral services of the late Mr. Flack, in common with my colleagues on the committee, I had the opportunity of observing hi.s standing in the commtniity iu which he was born and lived. Upon our arri\-al in Malone on the morning of February 5 a general gloom seemed to pervade the beautiful little moun- tain city, the capital of Franklin County, X. Y. At noon all 14 Memorial Addresses: IVilliam Henry Flack the places of Ijusiness closed and remained so imtil after the funeral. The church was filled with his friends, and the services, conducted hy four ministers of the gospel, of as many different creeds, took part in the impressive ceremonies. His Masonic brethren and other fraternal bodies were pre.sent in large numbers. The scene was one ne\-er to be forgotten, and made a lasting impression on his colleagues who were present. An old friend of his, speaking to a member of the coiimiittee, .said: " Fi,.\ck was a man in every sense of the word, a model husband, a loving father, an obliging neighbor, and a kind, true friend." This was the universal opinion as expres.sed by friends and neighbors. He has gone from among us, having cro.s.sed to the other shore, in the full ho])e of a blessed immortality. We firmly believe that our loss is his gain. It is a road that we must all travel, for it is appointed inito man once to die. This decree is unalterable: all nuist meet the destroyer — death. The memory of the life and deeds of our late colleague is oius to cherish and enuilate. He .sleeps, but in that sleep lieneatU tlie sod No (Ireani.s .shall come — those dreams that banish sleep; No watchers then, naught save the eyes of God, To watch his slumber long, and still, and deep. Then mourn him not as dead — he can not die — .\nd mourn him not as .sleeping in that day; He wakes, he lives, not far in yonder .sky, lint near us, though not seen, he walks to-d.iy. His memory will ever abide with his friends, a benediction and a blessing. Address of Mr. Minor, of IViscoJisin 15 Address of Mr. Minor, of Wisconsin Mr. Speaker: M>' acquaintance with our late respected colleague, Hon. William H. Flack, found its beginning in the early part of the Fifty-eighth Congress. As a Member thereof, he was to begin his Congressional life that, so unfor- tunately for himself and his country, terminated too briefly to permit him to attain to the higher positions in the House of Representatives that he certainly would have won had his health permitted or his life been spared long enough to give him the experience so nece.s.sary for a Representative in Con- gress — an experience that can only come from long .service in the House. Brother Fl.'VCK was assigned to the Committee on the Mer- chant Marine and Fisheries, of which I was, and had been for several years, a member. Here it was that I formed his acquaintance and learned to respect his sterling qualities. I early discovered that he was not physically strong. It was plain that he was a sick man; but his determination to perform the duties of the position to which he had been assigned, in spite of phy.sical infirmities, attracted mj' attention and com- manded the admiration of all his as.sociates on the committee. We knew that Brother Fl.a.ck attended meetings of the com- mittee very often when, if he had given more thought to his physical needs, he would have remained away; but with him it was a contest between physical weakness and a mental deter- mination to discharge the duties of his position; it was a ques- tion that arose between a sick bed and his duty in the committee room, and duty always won with him. Brother Fl.\ck was among the most con.scientious of Mem- 1 6 Memorial Addresses: ll'i/liaiii Ileiirv Flack hers, endowed with a struiij; iiiiiid and a high sense of jiublic duty; he felt that lie could not evade any responsibihty that came to him as a member of the conunittee or this House. Moreover, he realized, as but few new Members do, that all legislation, to be effective, beneficial, and just, must be care- fully considered and formulated in the committee room. Active, intelligent committee work is the foundation ujion which rests the truly wise measures that govern, build up, and expand the magnificent moral and industrial institutions of our country of which we, as a ])eople, may feel justly jiroud. These laws that are initiated and prepared largely in the conunittee rooms, and .ilinost inxariably based upon the ])rin- ciples of wi.sdom, equity, and justice to all men, hold within their limits more than 80,000,000 of .sovereign people, the equals of any on earth. All this, and the truth of this, was ]ironiptly grasped by the ]mre and active mind and great heart of Brother Fi^.vck; not becau.se of his long service in this national legislative body, for he was just entering upon his first term; not Ijecause of a col- lege education, for he had never enjoxed this Idessing; but be- cause of his endowment with a mind that was ])ractical, :i mind capable of grasping the logical rather than the theoretical affairs of American citi/.eii.shiii. Brother Fi.,\CK was not a man of high ])reten^ions or ot man\- words, bul Ik- po.ssessed the facult\- of grasping the true situa- tion as it presented itself, and this enabled him to cast his vote and lend his influence for what invariably proved to l.)e the right side of all (juestions that his brief .service permitted him to aid in soU'ing. His colleagues on the conunittee realized that for ;i beginner in legislative work this Member fioni M.ilone, X. V., was nnich above the average. ICvery Member of the House of Repre- Address of M^r. Minor, of Jl'isconsiu \j sentatives who chanced to enjoy liis acquaintance held him in the highest esteem. Tliere seemed to be a hidden and m\'sterions power not real- ized by its possessor that unconsciously drew men to him; they believed what he thought, even though his thoughts were not expressed in many words. Men with such gifts are rare, indeed, but wherever known, in whatever walk of life they are found, their influence is well-nigli immeasurable, and this influence is either for good or for evil. Thanks to the Creator of the Universe for the loftj^ purposes, pure mind, and love of justice so conspicuous in this man from Malone, for with such a rich heritage all his might, mind, and .strength were employed in the discharge of the most exalted duties of husband, a father, a citizen, and a representative of the people, whose confidence in him was unbounded. Mr. Fl.\CK enjoyed the respect of the people in his home town of Malone, X. Y., to a remarkable degree. I was im- pressed with this fact from personal observation and coming in contact with the citizens of Malone. I chanced to be one of the members of the committee from this body who attended the funeral of the deceased, and it was gratifying to me to listen to the many testimonials offered by his fellow-townsmen; the evidence was uuque.stioned that \\'ii.li-\m H. Fl.\CK was held in the highest esteem by those who had known him the longest and whose a.ssociations with him had been the closest. Where can we look for better assurance of the true worth of any man than in his own town and among his neighbors with whom he has mingled for a long period of years? I thought as I witnessed the sadness visible on every counte- nance, the genuine mourning that pervaded the very atmos- phere in Malone, that W. H. Fl.\ck was all that I had believed him to be — a truly good man. H. Doc. Sio, 59-2 2 i8 Memorial Addresses: ]\'illia»i Henry Flack Mr. vSpeaker, William II. Flack, our l)elove(l colleagne, i.s (lead: his life's burdens are cast off, his cares, his griefs, his sorrows, his responsibilities, his joys and pleasures are all ended. He .sleeps, and there is no power to arou.se him till the trunii>et shall sound that calls to the throne of Him who reigns supreme over His children of the earth, there to receive from His hand the final reward or chastisement according to their deserts. The body of \Villl\:\i H. Flack lies in the cemetery at M alone. The curtain has beer, let down between the living and the dead, and behind that ini]ienetrable curtain all is mystery. It is not given to mortal man jiositively to know the habi- tation of a departed life; we know the tomb that holds the body; we know not of the spirit that has departed, because no man hath seen beyond the grave. We who believe in an all- wise and just Ruler of the Universe, He who holds in his hands the destiny of men, of nations, and the world, and all therein, should be content to leave with him the solution of life, death, and the eternity to follow. 'rhe\' who do right accordingl\' as they are given to see the right, they who walk in the pathway that leads on lo the better and noljler things of this life, who do good and avoid evil deeds, who walk u])rightly before all men, doing unto others as they would that others should do inito them, may well alTord I" trust their futme de^tiuN- in the lian(l> of Him who doelh all things well. 1 sincerel)' believe that these reciuirements were as nearly met as the frailties of human kind can meet them b>- our late beloved colleague, \\'ii.ll\m II. Im.ack. Address of Mr. Beniicf, 1)/ XciO York 19 Address of Mr. Bennet, of New York Mr. .Speaker: William H. Flack was liorn and lived and died in PVanklin Ciiuiit\-, in the State of New York. To those of us who come from tlie shifting; population of a large city it is hard at times to comprehend the distinction which public office confers in other portions of the State, where the population is more .settled. The counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and St. Lawrence, which comprise the district repre- sented here by Mr. Flack in the Fifty-eighth and Fifty-ninth Congresses, do not choose their representatives to public office lightly. Strongl\' Republican, a nomination there is usuall}- equivalent to election. There ha\-e been many men there of whom it can be .said, as of Mr. Flack, that their birth, their life, and their deatli have all been within the limits of one county. The habit of wandering is not strong, attachment to the soil is great; consequently a man in public life there is known to the voters, and even those who do not know him personally know of him. I read in the biography of our late colleague that he helil .successively- the offices of supervi.sor (being chairman of the board for two years), county clerk of Franklin County, chair- man of the Republican county committee, trustee of the village of Malone, and Representative in Congress. Had he not been a man in the liest .sen.se of the word he would not have Ijeen so honored. Knowing, as I do, the character of the men in the northeast portion of our State, a simple recital of the titles of these offices means nuich to me. It is the most complete of eulogies. I rememlier that from the same town of Malone came Con- 20 McDiorial Addresses: JV/7/iiii>! I/i i/ry Flack gressman Wheeler, who in 1.S76 became Vice-President Wheeler; and I remember the other many distinguished men who have come from those four counties. Prior to my service in the asseml)ly of New York my knowl- edge of the njen of that section was limited. Hut durina; my two j'ears there I came to know, to appreciate them, and quite generally to vote with them. In stature large, for the most part, as was our deceased colleague, with clear minds and straight-thinking brains, it is no light or idle thing to repre- .sent such a constituency. We all know that illness prevented our colleague from making the record here that he other- wise might. During almost the whole of his two terms he was compelled b}' physical ailment to be absent, bnt we can all Ijelieve tliat had his health been such as to permit the record which he could have made, he would have been a credit even to that particular community. We knew* him as a kindly, genial, straightforward, brotherly colleague. We shall miss him. We can rejoice that he faced the inevitable without shrinking. We are in some ways better for his having been here. Xow that he is gone at so earh' an age, we can be glad that he had the privilege of this .service. It meant much to him. His people were glad to be represented b)' him, and in him his district and his State had a worthy Representatix'e. He leaves behind him that good name, which is more to be preferred than great riches. Address of Mr. /\iki)is^ of Xcw York 21 Admess of Mr. Perkins, of New York Mr. Speaker: I only kiit-w Mr. Fl.\ck during his service ill Congres.s. There I did not know hitn intimately, but I knew him plea.santly. Mr. Fl.\Ck was a good type of a large and valuable cla.ss of men in public life. He was not a per- ■son who .sought actively for personal prominence; he took little part in the debates in the Hou.se; he did not seek to exert any large influence ou legislation. His strength lay in a just recognition of what he could do well and in a con.scientious performance of the work for which he was fitted. We sometimes underestimate the value of the work of such men. The communit)- is naturally attracted by those wlio take a more con.spicuous part, and those we call our leaders. It is probably nearer the truth to .say that a large body of sensible, well-intentioned men, who do their work quietly and con- scientiously, listening to what others say and exercising their own judgment, are really the leaders iti politics and legisla- tion. The story is told of a French officer, in some internal commotion in Paris, who cried out: My coni])aiiy i.s niarcliinsi down the street, and I must follow. In this remark, at which man\- have jested, there is a pro- found philosophy. The officer did not misstate his true position; he recognized it. It is the company that leads, and little remains for the officer Ijut to march after liis men. If he bids them go in the tlirection the\- would go, they will follow him, and otherwise he will find that he must follow them. This is eminently true of our great political bodies, and thereni was Mr. Flack's u.sefulness and the useftxlness of those 2 2 .\[ci)iorial Addresses: William Henry Flack wlio are like him. He fornieil one of a body of fair-minded men, who wish to do tlie tiling; that is right and wIkj have intelHgence enough to find out what that thing is. To such men the captains and the leaders address themselves, and when they have decided on the best policy, the captains and leaders follow in their wake. Mr. Fl.^Ck's usefulness was not lessened by any itching for notoriety nor any morbid de.sire for personal prominence. I'Veed from such distractions, he did his duty as an intelligent legi.slator, and this entitled him to the respect of his fellow- men. That he was kindly, that he was courteous, that he bore pain and sickness with fortitude and without vain repining constitutes an additional claim upon the kindly feeling of his as.sociates and upon their recollection now that he is no more. Address of Mr. DriscoH, of Xcw York 23 Address of Mr. Driscoll, of New York Mr. Speaker: Again, to-daj-, we are summoned to perform the sad office of mourning the death and commemorating the hfe of a Member of the New York delegation in the House of Representatives. This is indeed a sorrowful occasion, more so than the other. The old must die and the young may die. To the one the end comes in the ordinary course and progress of natural laws. To the other it is violent, and it conflicts with some of those laws. The earthly tabernacle, however sound and strong in youth, grows old and weak with time and toil. When no longer able to sustain the soul, the spirit, the life, the vital •Spark, by whatever name, escapes without much struggle, pain, or suffering, and that is death. Not so with the man in youth or middle age. Some of the organs of the physical mechanism are strong and sound and perform their functions normally, while others, by inheritance or disease, are imperfect and can not do their part. In youth there is hope and resolution. The will is strong and so is love of life. The fight goes on in pain and travail until the vitality is exhausted and the patient must needs succumb. That, too, is death, but much more sad and tragic. General Ketcham had overlived the allotted time of man on earth. He had done his work and rounded out his career, and full of j'ears and honors he passed awa^-. But while Mr. Fl.vck was )'et in his prime, with many hopes and aspirations, and while he was still looking forward, his message came. He was cut off in the midst of his plans when his life work was onl\- partially completed. But notwithstanding his poor health 24 Memorial Adiircsscs: William Hniry Flack (luiiiifi his last years, and his early death, he accomplished iiuich for good. Born and reared in northern Xew York, with its cold, stormy, severe winters ;ind deli^hlfnl, iiuigoratinn; sunnners, he grew up strong, .sturdy, and self-reliant, with a large body and a sound well-balanced mind. His early condi- tion in life was about the same as that of the great majority of American boys who have worked their wa\- and made their mark. He was jioor, but that was no cro.ss. Povert\' in Franklin County, where few are rich and all are measured by what they are, is quite a different matter from poverty in Wall .street, where riches are the rule and all are mea.sured by what thev have, no matter how accjuired. In the country, on the farm, the American boy is not ab- jectly poor. There social distinctions are not based on wealth. The hired bo\- on the farm hopes some day to own a farm of his own. The hired girl who works in another's kitchen hopes .some day to be a prosperous farmer's wife. There the em- ployee and the employer eat at the same table, wor.ship at the same altar, and mingle in the same social gatherings. The hired man may be jioor in material accmnulalions, but he is rich is health and \-igor, in hope and promise. Povert>' under these conditions and in such an environment is never deba.sing, for it is not humiliating or belittling. That kind of poverty and that sort of adversity develop confidence and efficiency, build character, and fit the ])oor boy to im])rove his o])p()rtu- uities when they come. In that social condition and amidst those surroundings Mr. Fi,.\ci<. was reared, and all through his life he typified that phase of our American civilization. He was never truculent and time .serving toward those who thought they were his sujieriors, ncjr was he e\'er arrogant or overbearing in his attitude toward tho.se less fortunate in get- ting on. He was ever a ]>lain, big-hearted man, kind and gen- Address of Mr. Driscoll^ of Xeic York 25 erous toward all and obsequious toward iioue. In these times, when gold is worshiped and the dollar is placed above the man and social castes and distinctions are being established on bank accounts, it would be well if our young men would study the character and emulate the virtues of such men as William Flack. Manifestl}' Mr. Fl.vck had a ta.ste and aptitude for public life. Xo man could accomplish what lie did b}- accident. He was .seven years super\-isor of his town and two years chair- man of the board. He was six years county clerk of his native count3% and he was also trustee and president of the village of Maloue, and two terms Representative in Congress from the Twenty-sixth di.strict of New York. He was also leader and chairman of the Republican organization of his county. That means that he was an able politician as well as a capable and honest public servant. He was in public life nearly all his years after attaining majority, which indicates that he was respected and tru.sted by those who knew him well. I am aware that some people speak with disrespect of politicians. They seem to look upon them as rogues, rascals, and crooks, and enemies of good society. On the part of some criticisms of this kind are prompted by en\-y and jealousy, and >-et others honest but misguided people, actually believe it. There can be no greater mistake. Xo criticism has less of justification. Of course there are politicians and politicians.. Some are honest and others are corrupt. But in honesty, public spirit, and in all civic and moral virtues they are far above the general aver- age of society. They are not theorists or idealists alone. They must be practical in order to accomplish results. This is a representative government from top to bottom. Every official, whether elected or appointed, holds his com- mission b3- the will of the electors, and all the way from the 26 Memorial Addresses: li'iiliaii/ J/eiiry Flack President down thc\- fairl\- represent their constituents in virtue and intelligence. And Mr. Flack was full\- up to the average of his. He was kind-hearted and generous, and happiest when he was helping others and conferring favors. He had learned the luxury of doing good. If he was willing to receive, he was also dispo.sed to give to the full measure of his ability. He was not \-indicti\'e ; he was alwaj's read}- to forgive and forget. He treated his opponents fairly, took no advantage, and never hit below the belt. He was not a cynic, neither was he a scold- ing, carping critic of men and measures. He took the world as he found it. and adapted him.self to conditions, and tried to make them better. He was generous to his enemies and loyal to his friends, and they were loj-al to him. He was not hot- headed and given to pa.ssion and arrogance, for he had a kindly dispo.sition and a good word for each and all. He was an opti- mist, and Icjoked on the bright side of the picture. He was well disposed toward all, had faith in his fellow-men and thej- had faith in him. He did not play to the galleries or court spectacular applause, but in a plain and unassuming manner did his duty day by day as he saw it. His head was clear, his heart was warm, and his ideals were high. He was po.ssessed of .sound conunon .sen.se, and when he made up his mind and took a position, he held it with determination and consistency. That kind of a politician was Mr. Fi,.\CK, and these were the qualities of mind and heart which enabled him to retain the confidence of all who knew him well. The town of Waverly, the county of Franklin, the village of Malone, and the Twenty- sixth Congressional district are unusuall\- intelligent and pro- gres.sive constituencies. The\' successivel>- and repeatedly hon- ored Mr. Fi,.\CK by electing him to office. Why did they do .so? He was not a distinguished orator or writer. He was not po.sses.sed of those rare intellectual gifts by which some men da/./.le and charm multitudes and connnand their obedience. Address of Mr. Driscoll, of Nctv York 27 He was not a man of sucli means that he conld corrnpt those electorates, if so disposed. They honored him because tliey knew and trnsted him and liecause the\' hked him. He won his way step by step from ])lace to place, alwa^-s advancing by the sheer force of his good character, common sense, and per- sonal magnetism. He wore his decorations so modestlx' antl gracefully that the people delighted to honor him. The House of Representatives is a distinguished body, so large that the ordinary Member cuts but little figure. It is governed by traditions, customs, and rules — especially rules. Becau.se of those traditions, customs, and rules, and lack of experience the mcst brilliant men make but little headway during their first two terms. Mr. Fi,ack .served nearly four years, but he was handicapped by ill health nearly all the time. His colleagues from New York, and others who made his intimate acquaintance, liked, respected, and trusted him. His mind worked on honest lines. His judgment was sound, his conclusions reliable. He was careful, honest, and patriotic. With continued life, health, and .service in the Congress he would have worked his wa\- to the front here as in other fields of his activities. But after all his reputation will depend on his work and life at home in Franklin Count}'. Assurance, cheek, and gall count for nuich on .short acquaintance, while only substantial merit assures respect among those who know one well. Will Flack was admired and loved by his boyhood playmates and his life long friends and neighbors. By the good people of Franklin County and beautiful and picturesque Malone he was known, understood, and appreciated. B>' them he is and will be missed. Their high regard for him in life and deep sorrow for his death bear witness to his worth. 28 Memorial Addresses: PVilliaiii Ilcnrv flack Address of Mr. Fitzgerald, of New York Mr. SpKAKick: The State of Xcw York has suffered irrep- aralile loss in its representation in this Cont;ress throu>i;h death. Two men — one ai^ed, exjierienced, and trained in les^islative work and methods, the Hon. John H. Ketchani, the other in the i)rinie of Hfe, with the vigor of ripened manhood, and infused witli entliu.siasin for legislative work, \\'ii.i,i.\m H. Flack — have passed away withm a few months. \\'ILI.I.\M H. Flack was the type of man hound to succeed in a legislative body. He had had experience as a public official, .serving in local boards and other offices with credit and some di.stinction. He had successfnll>- managed and enlarged and developed sewral business enterprises in which lu' was in- terested, and he w:is kiunvn and regarded as one who luul succeeded in his life's struggle. It was natural that such a man should be selected by the people of his district to represent it in the Congress. For years he liad lieen acti\-e in the management of industries u]ion the succe.ss of whicli the prosperit\' of his ])eople largely depended. He knew their legislative wants and understood their position on pnbhc questions as well as, if not better, than any other man in the district. My ac(|uaintanccship with Mr. Fr..\Civ did not antedate his entrance to this body. W'lule not long nor intimate, yet it was sufficient to enable me with some degree of confidence to place a proper estimate upon his character and his capacity. He was a largediearted, knidly spoken, generous man. In demeanor he was modest. In speech he was direct and appar- ently bent upon using the fewest possible words to convey Address of Mr. /''/'/ oocr a M, o/ Nczc York 29 intelligently his meaning. He was an indefatigable worker and . devoted to the interests committed to his care. He had a high sense of the dignit\' and the res]ic)nsil)ilit\' of membership in this bod\-, and had he l)cen permitted to continue here he would undoubtedly ha\-e left an indelible impress for good upon the legislation enacted during his service. In.scrutable, indeed, Mr. Speaker, are the ways of Divine Providence. At the age of 46, successful in liusiness, honored by a great con.stituency b>- being chosen to repre.sent it m this body, surrounded by a happy, contented, and united fannl\-, he began a career in this Hou.se wliich to the impartial observer seemed full of promise. Vet in the ver\' he>day of his success and prosperity he has been called to another, a happier, and more blessed life; 30 Memorial Addresses: Williaiii Henry Flack Address of Mr. Grosvenor, of Omo Mr. Speakkk: I iie\'er knt-w Hem. W'ii.i.ia.m II. Fl..\CK until he canu- to Congre.s.s. He was a man of great modesty. He never, I believe, addressed the Hou.se. If he did, I have no recollection of it. He was a man who ma\' have been said to have been reticent and possibly timid in pushing his opin- ions, but he was a man of intelligence, possessing .strong judgment as to matters of business and legislation. He was pleasant, genial, and companionable. I can say but little of him, for I knew nothing of him in his home life. I knew nothing of him in his political life at home. I knew nothing of him oidy as I gathered the mere fragments that indicate cliaracter while he servenl\- hear that he was regretting his Miitimely di.sciualification for afti\e service. His nei.ghbors sjieak of him in the highest terms of ])raise, and the fact that he was sent to Congress from so intelligent a constituency speaks well for him and leaves little doubt that he was a man of high character and of \irliii)us mind. Proceedings in the House 31 FURTHER ACTION OK THK HOUSE. The Speaker pro tempore. In pursuance of the ordens heretofore made, and a.s a further mark of re.spect to the de- ceased, the Hou.se will now stand adjourned until to-morrow at 10 o'clock a. m. Accordingly (at 4 o'clock and 5 minutes p. m. ) the Hou.se adjourned. PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE Satckday, l-'ibruary 2, i goy . A message from the House of Representatives, bj- Mr. C. R. McKeniiej-, its enrolling clerk, communicated to the vSenate the intelligence of the death of Hon. W'illi.vm H. P'l.vck, late a Representative from the vState of Xew York, and transmitted resolutions of the House thereon. The \'ice-Pkesidk.vt. The Chair lays before the .Senate re.solutions from the House of Representatives, which will be read. In thk Housk of Rkpre.sent.\tivks, February 2, igoj. Resolved, That the House ha.s heard with profound sorrow of the deatli of Hon. \VlLl.i.\M H. Fl.\ck, a Representative from the State of New York. Resolved, That a committee of fifteen Jlembers of the House, with such members of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the funeral. Resoll'ed, That tlie ,Sergeant-at-.\rnis tif the House be autliori/ed and directed to take such steps as ma}- be necessary for carrying out the pro- visions of these re.solutions, and that the necessary e.xpen.ses in connection therewitli be paid out of the contingent fund of the House. Resolved, That the Clerk conmiunicate these resolutions to the .Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the deceased. The Speaker announced the appointment of Mr. Sherman, Mr. Littauer, Mr. Knapp, Mr. Draper, Mr. Driscoll, Mr. Fa.ssett, Mr. Dwight, Mr. Ryan, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Ooulden, of New York; Mr. Grosvenor, of Ohio; Mr. Minor, of \Vi.sconsin; Mr. Watson, of Indiana; Mr. Howell, of Xew Jersey, and Mr. Reynolds, of Pennsylvania, members of the com- mittee on the part of the House. Mr. Dei>kw. Mr. President, I ask for the adoption of the resolutions, which I send t- years more for .service to his country and rewards for himself. The difficulties which surround a country boy who aspires not only to business success, but to a political career, are greater than those which meet the son of the cit> . This is peculiarly 37 38 Meviorial Addresses: WiHiaiii Henry Flack the case where jioUtical distinction is ilesired. The man of the town is absorbed in the hot competitions of liis vocation. The theater, the cUil), and other social cH\ersions claim his spare time. It is onlj- in periods of excitement about public (jues- tions that his attention is diverted to political matters. Public opinion in great cities is dormant unless aroused by .some crisis in the affairs of the nnniicipality. the State, or the nation. After a period of feverish and passionate activity the people settle down again to the normal conditions with less interest in public affairs than in those which pertain immediately to their welfare. In the city there is wo neighborhood. The citizen rarely knows who lives on his street or who are the (jccupants of the other apartments in his apartment house. Many a man who has been distinguished and looked up to by his neighbors in the country, who has been a local oracle and in a measure the pride of the people, has come to the metropolis for a larger field for his talents and activities. I have had the ex-judge and the ex-Senator or ex-Congres.sman say to me : "I do not know who lives on either side of me or across the way. I am a stranger in the elevator to those who are .going to their offices in the \-ast building. I .am jostled in the streets and crowded on the cars. Few call upon my family, and we might almost as well be in the Desert of Sahara. I miss the attention and recognition to which I have been accustomed, and that most delightful flattery in the world — the respect and admiration of men, women, and children — which I had at home, and we are going l)ack. No jiecuniary rewards compen.sate for the loss of that human contact and l)rotherl\' feeling which constitute the larger jiart of the pleasures of life." Under the.se condi- tions the organization more than the individual governs his career mdess he can control the organization. In the country, however, the circle of the citizen enlarges Address of Mr. Drpeu\ of New York 39 with his activities and he becomes socially ami politically well known, first in the town, then the comity, and afterwards the district; hut he nuist be somebody and do something which raises him above the average in order to receive recognition as a leader. Happily for our institutions, politics in these rural communities are not the .spasmodic and often wild passions or crazes of the hour, l)Ut they are the thought and the pursuit of everyone all the j-ear round. The newspapers are not read for the stock market or telegraphic news or cablegrams, but for editorials, transactions of conventions, and speeches of public men. Magazines are on the table of the sitting room not for ornament, but to be read. The lecture hall takes the place of the theater, and there the greatest questions of religion, poli- tics, and sociolog>' are disciLssed. The interv-al between the morning and afternoon service on Sunday is utilized as a sort of Chautauqua for the interchange of views, and they promote general education. It is to the credit of Mr. Fl.^ck that he made his career in such a community. There is no community more typical of the very best cdnditions of rural life in the country than the district which Mr. Flack represented in Con- gress. Its common and high schools, its academies and its college, are of the foremost educational rank. Its people have always been noted for their public .spirit, interest in public affairs, and pronounced convictions. In the best sense they are all politicians, and the schoolhouse is as much a political pri- mary as it is a primary school. Men of State and national fame have been its representatives. No ordinary man could com- mand the .suffrages of the.se counties. The difficulties in the wa\' of success are greater becau.se they are overwhelmingly of the same party, and a nomination is an election, and the com- petition is infinitely keener than where a nomination means a doubtful fight. 40 McDiorial . Iddresscs: II 'illiain Hiiirv l-'lack Mr. Fi.ACK possessed nut only the confidence of the people, which led to his being so often honored, and each time with ])r(jniotion, hut he had in a peculiar degree the love as well as tlic respect of all. He possessed a personality so agreeable and a disposition .so charming that they won to him everyone with whom he came in contact. His illne.ss, unfortunately, pre- vented continued activities in the House of Repre.sentatives, but while here he was a con.scientious worker and had the con- fidence and re.spect of his a.s.sociates. He leaves an honorable record for his family and for the representation of Xew York in the Congress of the United States. FrKTHKK .\CTI().\ l)l' THK SKN.XTE- I move that the ,Senate do now take a recess. The motion was agreed to; and ( at 9 o'clock and 32 minutes p. ni. ) the Senate took a recess until to-uiorrow, vSunda\', .March 3, at 1 1 o'clock a. m. o