Gass I ■■ ^i //f 65th Congress \ 3d Session f HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES / Docu" \ No. f Document . 18S1 DANIEL WEBSTER COMSTOCK (Late a Representative from Indiana) MEMORIAL ADDRESSES DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES U.i'. SIXTY-FIFTH CONGRESS THIRD SESSION I7|?-Hl'=?, '-^- '^ 5 i Proceedings in the House February 17, 1918 Proceedings in the Senate March 2, 1919 PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRINTING 7 -"2.6?= .I^H WASHINGTON 1919 .'rUi ly- B." 01 -. JAN 28 1923 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page. Proceedings in the House 5 Prayer by Rev. Henry N. Couden, D. D 5 Prayer by Rev. George Robinson, D. D., chaplain, United States Army , 8 Memorial addresses by — Mr. Richard N. Elliott, of Indiana 11 Mr. Lincoln Dixon, of Indiana 15 Mr. George K. Denton, of Indiana 19 Mr. Isaac R. Sherwood, of Ohio 21 Mr. Henry Z. Osborne, of California 26 Mr. Henry A. Barnhart, of Indiana 28 Mr. William R. Wood, of Indiana 32 Mr. Merrill Moores, of Indiana 35 Mr. Louis W. Fairfield, of Indiana 41 Mr. Fred S. Purnell, of Indiana 44 Proceedings in the Senate 47 Memorial addresses bj' — Mr. Harry S. New, of Indiana 51 Mr. James E. Watson, of Indiana 53 [3] HON. IJANir. DEATH OF HON. DANIEL WEBSTER COMSTOCK Proceedings in the House of Representatives Saturday, May 19. 1917. The House met at 11 o'clock a. m. The Chaplain, Rev. Henry N. Couden, D. D., offered the following prayer: O God, our Eternal Hope, who holdest our life and appointest our lot, make us tractable unto Thy holy influence and strong to bear the burdens Thou hast laid upon us. Open Thou our spiritual ears that we may hear the call of Him who said : " Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Hear our prayer for us and for all who are bowed in sor- row and grief. Our hearts are touched once more by the visitation of the Angel of Death in our congressional home. Bless, we beseech Thee, those nearest and dearest to him and help them to learn of Him who taught us the waj^ and the truth and the life. Amen. Mr. Dixon. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep sorrow that t announce to the House the death in this city this morning of my colleague and friend, Judge Daniel W. Comstock, a Member of this House. At a later time I will ask that a day be selected when the Members will be given oppor- tunity to pay appropriate tribute to his life, character, and public services. At this time I desire to present the fol- lowing resolutions. The Speaker. The Clerk will report the resolutions. [5] Mkmohim. Addrf.ssks: Ri:imif.si:ntativi: Comskh.k The Clerk read as follows : House resolution 83 Resolved, That llie House has heard with profound sorrow of the death of Hon. Danii-i. W. Comstock, a Representative from the State of Indiana. Resolved, That a committee of 16 Members of the House, with such Members of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the funeral. Resolved. That the Sergeant at Arms of the House be authorized and directed to take such steps as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of these resolutions, and that the necessary expenses in connection therewith be paid out of the. contingent fund of the House. Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the deceased. The Speaker. The question is on agreeing to the resolu- tions. The question was taken, and the resolutions were unani- mously agreed to. Tlie Speaker appoinltd thr lollowing cmnniilUe in ac- cordance with the foregoing resolutions: Mr. Dixon, Mr. Cox, Mr. Baridiart, Mr. Deninan, Mr. Bland, Mr. Sanders of Indiana, Mr. Moorcs of Intliana. Mr. Vestal, Mr. Purnell, Mr. Wood of Indiana. Mr. Kraus, Mr. Fairfield, Mr. Tiniberlake. Mr. Park. Mr. lleintz, and Mr. Dewalt. The Speaker. The Cli rk will nport the otlur resolu- tion. Tlir Clerk read as follows: Resolved, That as ti further mark of respect this House do now adjourn. The resolution was iinaniniously agreed to; accordingly (at 3 o'clock and .')f) minutes p. m.) the House, under its previous order, adjourned until 11 o'clock a. m., Monday, Mav'il. 1!tl7. [6] Proceedings in the House Monday, May 21, 1917. A message from the Senate, by Mr. Waldorf, its enroll- ing clerk, announced that the Senate had passed the following resolutions: Resolved, That the Senate has heard with deep sensibility the announcement of the death of Hon. Daniel W. Comstock, late a Representative from the State of Indiana. Resolved, That a committee of five Senators be appointed by the Chair to join the committee appointed on the part of the House of Representatives to attend the funeral of the deceased in Richmond, Ind. Resolved, That the Secretary communicate a copy of these reso- lutions to the House of Representatives. And that in compliance with the foregoing resolutions the Vice President had appointed as the committee on the part of the Senate Mr. New, Mr. Watson, Mr. Fernald, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Hardwick. Tuesday, February 5, 1918. Mr. Dixon. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Sunday, February 17, be set aside for addresses on the life, character, and public services of the Hon. Daniel W. Comstock, late a Representative from Indiana. The Speaker. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Indiana? [After a pause.] The Chair hears none. Saturday, February 16, 1918. The Speaker. The Chair appoints Mr. Barnhart, of In- diana, to preside to-morrow. Sunday, February 17, 191S. The House met at 12 o'clock noon and was called to order by the Speaker pro tempore [Mr. Barnhart]. [7] Mi:muhiai. Aduhessks : Uli'1u;semativi; Comstock Rev. George Robinson, D. D., chaplain. United States Army, retired, offered the following prayer: O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in :ill the earth. Who hast set Thy glory above the heavens. When I consider Tliy heavens, the work of Thy fingers; the moon and stars which Thou hast ordained : What is man, that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visilest him? For Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of Thy hands. Thou hast put all things under his feet. All sheep and oxen, and the beasts of the field; the fowl of the air and the fish of the sea. But Thou hast not only thus been mindful of man in his creation, but Thou hast been wonderfully mindful of him in his redemption! Not with silver and gold, not witli all the mines of earth or the depths of every sea, could one soul of man be redeemed. Tlie price of man's redemption must be taken from off the throne of God itself, the gift of His only begotten and well beloved Son, to become in- carnate, and by a death shameful and cruel at the hands of men He came to save, atone for our sins. O Lord, our God, we thank Thee for the life of this man in whose niemor)' this service is held; for liis devotion to his country, in his young manhood following the flag and offering his lifi' to help to save the life and integrity of the Nation; for his sirvice in llie enactment of laws in State and National legislatures, and the interpretation and ai)plication of the laws of Ihi' land in a judicial position. May the memory of these services for his fellow men be a solace to llie is position was of special interest lo him, and he en- joyed its opportunities for serviic lo liis comrades. He [16] Address of Mr. Dixon, of Indiana came into personal relationship with the soldiers of our State and renewed the friendships formed in his army life. He was always ready and anxious to render service for his comrades, and they had for him the highest respect and esteem. In 1916 he was elected as a Representative in Congress for the sixth congressional district and entered upon the discharge of its duties March 4, 1917. Scarcely had he begun the work of his congressional service when he was called by death from his busy, active, and useful life. His services were so short that but few had the opportunity to know him intimately. Brief as that service was, he showed independence in action, individu- ality, and a fixed purpose to follow his matured judgment in matters of legislation. Many important matters were considered during his brief service, and while slow to de- termine his course yet he never hesitated to support the policy his judgment led him to believe was best. The wishes and opinions of others were considered, but never controlling. In everj' position he occupied in official life, whether in early manhood as prosecuting attorney or city attorney, whether in middle life as a senator in the State legislature or as circuit judge, whether in later years as judge of the appellate court or as a Member of Congress, he so per- formed the duties of his trust that liis record was without a blot or blemish. Our departed friend, a soldier in war and a leader of the Grand Army in time of peace, has passed into the in- visible land. Many thousands of his soldier comrades pre- ceded him and thousands more are following him rapidly on that solemn march. The ranks of the soldiers of the Civil War are being rapidly diminished by death. But a few more years and the last of these brave men will be laid to rest and the history of their deeds be but a sacred memory; but while they are mortal their deeds are im- 115072°— 19- [17] Memoiuai. Addressks : Hei'UHSentative Com stock mortal and will be forever cherished in the recollections of a grateful people. As a menibcT of the congressional committee appointed to attend the funeral of our late colleague I was deeply impressed with the liigh esteem in which Judge Comstock was held by his neiglibors, as evidenced by their sorrow when they turned out to pay their last tribute to their friend. The people of his city had honored him in life, and they did not fail in his dcalli to hrenthe the tendercst senti- ments of affection and sympatliy over his remains. The most accurate test of a man's character is the esti- mation in which he is held by those who knew him longest and best. No higher tribute can be paid to a man than to be able to trullifuUy say of him at the end of a long life that lie had luld until the end the afTeclion and confidence of his neighbors. We to-day attest our islrcin for our late colleague, Daniel Webstek Comstock. We point with a just pride to a record of an honorable, honored, and jjatriotic man. We admiri' liis recortl as a citizen, a soldier, a jurist, and public servant. [18] Address of Mr. Denton, of Indiana Mr. Speaker : It was my fortune to have been quite well acquainted with Judge Comstock. I appeared before him quite frequently when he was a judge on the bench of the appellate court of Indiana, and I also frequently met him in a social way. I found during my acquaintance with him that we were both graduates of the same college, the Ohio Wesleyan University, and this established a bond of friendship between us which continued till the time of his death. He was a lovable character and always the perfect gentleman, and one always felt better after meet- ing him. In his work on the bench he was honest and conscientious and sought to get at the justice of a cause instead of deciding it on legal technicalities. His long service on the bench of the Indiana appellate court, which continued past the period of life when most men have re- tired on account of age, shows the confidence and esteem in which he was held by his fellow citizens, as well as the vigor of his mind. I had frequent occasion to meet him and talk with him in the early part of the extra session of tliis Congress, and there was a certain bond of friendship and mutual sym- pathy between us from the fact that we were partners in distress, both going through the experiences that fall to the lot of a new Member. He was intensely patriotic and loyal, and evinced an interest in public affairs far beyond that shown by most men of his advanced age. He was one of the most faithful attendants in the House and could always be found on the floor, listening intently whenever anything was going on affecting the interests of the coun- try during those strenuous days following the entrance of America into the world war. Indeed, I have no doubt he [19] Memokiai. AuDuiissKs: Rt;nu:si:NTATivi; Comstock shortened liis life by his faithful and intense application to his duties in the strenuous days of the early part of the last session of Congress, the most strenuous, let us hope, that this Nation will ever experience. He has fought a good fight, lias served his countrj' well and faithfully, and died in harness. He met his end as he would have wished to — fighting for his countrj' in the hour of her supreme crisis, forgetting partisanship for the time being, and remembering only that he was an American. All honor to his memorj'. The Speaker pro tempore. It seems especially fitting that this audience should be composed so largely of young men wearing the uniform of United States soldier)', in- dicative of their readiness to go forth and defend the prin- ciples of freedom and liberty that have made our country all that it is, and it is especially appropriate that here in this assembly of Members of Congress are two comrades of the deceased Membei', men who have already contrib- uted of their life and substance and made their sacrifice to the cause of liberty. Of these two I shall now recognize the gentleman from Ohio, Gen. Sherwood, and then Com- rade Osborne, of California. [201 Address of Mr. Sherwood, of Ohio Mr. Spe.\ker : I presume I knew Col. Comstock as well, if not better, than any Member outside of his own State delegation. I met with him on several Grand Army occasions. I was with him at a very notable dinner, perhaps as notable as was ever held in the Capital, given by Senator Page, of Vermont, to the 12 oldest men in Congress. At that dinner there was more ancient history, perhaps, recited, and as much patriotic history as at any gathering ever held in this Capital. I can not arise to-day and speak to the memory of an old comrade without growing reminiscent. Of the 435 Members of this House of Representatives, I believe there are only three soldiers here now who survive the Civil War — Hollingsworth, of Ohio; Osborne, of California; and myself. It is a sad reflection that after all of these passing years perhaps we are nearing the end of the serv- ice of the men who served in that great war, and I can not help but call up some of those memories to-day. I can see to-day the red-clay roads of northern Georgia, hot and baking under the July sun. I can see long lines of dusty blue pass by with tattered banners, and under their slouch hats I can see the hardy and stem features of stalwart men. I can see the fresh earth of the battle fields and the unburied dead. I can see Atlanta from behind her black-mouthed cannon, and on her bold green hills I can hear the roar of 200,000 muskets. And I can see Atlanta from a nearer view — I can see above her domes and steeples the flag of my country and of yours. And if I look back over those 110 days of skirmish and battle I can see the graves of 40,000 of our brave comrades. [21] .Me.M()K1.\L AUUIIESSUS: UEl'lttSKNTATIVE CoMSTOCK We know what this war cost. It was the most peculiar war in all historj'. It had features that attached to no other war, either hefore or since. In all the armies of the Union, numbering 2,212,272 nun from first to last, I never heard of a soldier who went insane. It was a cheerful war. Now, if you will examine the statistics in Berlin and Paris of the soldiers of Germany and of France — 1 have not the statistics of England — you will find that 5 per cent of all the soldiers that have been in for a year in tliose terrible trenches have gone insane. Every man who stood behind a gun in our war knew just what he was fighting for. And another feature of the war was that it was one where the soldiers on the march and around the bivouac fires at night sung patriotic .songs of their own composition. That never happened before in any war on this continent or on the Continent of Europe. In the seven years of the American Revolution Ihey did not have a patriotic song except Yankee Doodle, and the words of it are very simple. It is the music that made Yankee Doodle pojjular, so well adapted to the fife and the drum. In the War of 1812 there were no patriotic songs sung that were written by a soldier; and the only one written was written by Francis Scott Key, the Star- Spangled Banner, which was not sung until the close of the war and was never sung in the war by a soldier. The record of the Mexican War docs not show a single pa- triotic song tliat was sung. In llu- gnal Civil War wr had over 100 i)alriolic songs. And one of the other peculiai ities of our war was that every soldier was in sight. Tin trenches were only waist dcej). In llie war in luirope the armies are out of sight. Col. Co.M.sror.K in liis career illuslraled the average career of liie .Xmcric.in soldier. Tluic was more determi- nation, more continuity, in that war llian in any war of nil time. I.el nir illustrate. On llu llli . if November. 1801, t)ur army was niareliing to that desperate struggle at [22] Address of Mr. Sherwood, of Ohio Franklin, Tenn. It was presidential election day. Tickets then were printed. We did not have the Australian ballot. The Ohio soldiers were allowed to vote. The tickets had been sent to me for my regiment, the One hundred and eleventh Ohio, and the One hundred and eighteenth Ohio. We were on a forced march that day. I rode back to the rear and secured an ambulance, and I appointed three private soldiers to go in that ambulance as judges of the election. I took an old camp kettle and put it in the ambu- lance to receive the ballots, and when we halted, as we used to do, about every eight miles, allowed the soldiers to vote. And we counted the votes that night by the light of a bivouac fire. Now, this was in the darkest period of the Civil War. It was only in the preceding August that Abra- ham Lincoln wrote a letter, and that letter is now in exist- ence, expressing the feeling that he was not going to be reelected. He was discouraged about the universal gloom that hung over this country. I wanted to give you this to illustrate the courage, the fortitude, of the soldiers at that time. In the whole regiment, one-third of whom were Democrats, with a Democrat, Gen. McClellan, running for President, there were only seven votes against Abraham Lincoln. We have never had in this country too many men of heart and brains and morals and courage in public life, and at no period in our history have men of this tj'pe been more needed than now. No time in our history has there ever been a more urgent demand for just men of courage, patriotism, and ability on the floor of Congress. Col. CoMSTOCK was a soldier and jurist of this type. It was our own poet of patriotism, Fitz-Greene Hallcck, who whote, in Marco Bozzaris, this pathetic and heart- rending couplet: Come to the bridal chamber. Death! Come to the mother's when she feels For the first time her first-born's breath 1 And thou art terrible I [23] Memorial Adoresses: Ri;i'Ki:sent.\tive Comstock But niurc terrible is the loss of a fully equipped man, mentally and morally, because liis loss is not only to the family, the wife, the child, but to the State. The one loss to the other is as the rosebud compared with the full- blown rose, grown fragrant and beautiful in God's sun- shine. And the example of a well-rounded man, of power and influence for the good of his fellow man, does not at- tach to the newborn child. One of the greatest of Athenian philosophers said: Most of all, fellow citizens, if your sons ask whose example they shall imitate, what will you say? For you know well it is not music, nor the gymnasium, nor llic schools that mold young men. It is much more — the public proclamation, the public ex- ample. If you take one wliose life has no high purpose and crown him in tlie theater, every boy who sees it is corrupted. Beware, therefore, Athenians, remembering posterity will rejudge your judgment and fliat the character of a city is determined by the character of the men it crowns. Two thousand years have elapsed since this classic was uttered, and it is still vital and valuable. The hope and am- bition of our young men of to-day is fostered and fed by the character of the men the piople of this Republic send into our highest legislative body. Col. Comstock's exam- ple is a potent teacher to the young men of his district and his State. Example teaches without a tongue. It is silent, but its action for good is more forcible tli;m words, how- ever eloquent. And I must not fail to commend Col. Comstock's j)atri- otisni. He won his promotions in battle. i)ut liis patriotism was in harmony with the humane theory that the future of this country dej)ti)(is more upon tlie virtue and j)ur- poses of the people tlian uixui a bannereil army willi shot- ted guns. Ill Ihc throes of liiMiuiii contention and fierce ambition came that migiity conllict of ISfil-lSCr), from which a new nation^was born, and now, after long years, when tlu' bit- 124] Address of Mr. Sherwood, of Ohio terness of strife has vanislied and we can calmly recount the common deeds of valor and devotion, the immortal flower song of the young English poet, James Collins, of over a century and a half ago, comes as a sweet solace to blossom in our hearts and lives: How sleep the brave who sink to rest. By all their country's wishes blest? When spring with dewy fingers cold Returns to deck each hallowed mold, There honor comes a pilgrim gray To bless the turf that wraps their clay. Never before has there been such a spectacle in all the ages, since history was born in the womb of the dead cen- turies, as when on Memorial Days, with the rose and the lily North and the lotus and the magnolia South the men who wore the blue and the men who wore the gray clasp hands in fraternal kinship, remembering that God is good, and consecrating themselves to fraternity and unity and a mighty future. [25] Address of Mr. Osborne, of C.\lifornia Mr, Speaker: While I had known of the high character and exalted reputation as a jurist of Judge Daniel Web- ster CoMSTOCK, of Indiana, for many years, it was not my good fortune to make his personal acquaintance until I met him in this Chamber in April last. I had known that Judge CoMSTOCK was one of the four Union soldiers of the Civil War elected to the Sixty-fifth Congress; that he held a place of very great respect in the national membership of the Grand Army of the Republic, and I had written him from my home in California that I was looking for- ward willi anticipations of pleasure to meeting him per- sonally. Tliat pleasure was realized on this floor on the historic 2d day of April, 1917, wlieii tlie Sixly-liflh Congress met in the extraordinary war session. Judge Comstock's personality was most prepossessing. It was marked by geniality, kindness, and frankness of thought and expression. It was easy to see wliy he com- mandtd sucli universal respect and affection. During the few months (liat we were privileged to enjoy his membership of the House of Representatives it was my custom to cxcliange views with liini almost daily on the grave cpiestions then before Congress. Ills mind was rich in the fruits of study, knowledge, and experience, and his heart glowe«I with the same uncpienchable fires of l)alriotism and love of country wliich inspirit! him in his young manhood to serve iiis country as a gallant cavalry- man in the Ninth Indiana. I am glad to acknowledge dial I received from liis riiie intelligence and lofty na- tional ideals many inspiring suggestions as to the best [26] Address of Mr. Osborne, of C/U.ifornia service which might be rendered to our country in the present time of stress and war. I am glad that I knew Judge Comstock. I admired and loved him while living. Our American Nation is enriched by the lives of men like him. The memory of his exalted character, his services in the tented field, and later as a learned jurist and wise legislator, is a glorious part of our heritage as American citizens. Wise, brave, and honest friend and comrade, hail and farewell! Mr. Elliott took the chair as Speaker pro tempore. [27] Address of Mr. Barnhart, of Indiana Mr. Speaker: To have been a soldier who fought in defense of his countn,' and fought in sucli a way as to merit promotion from the ranks to commanding ofTicer, and a citizen who was elected district attorney, prosecut- ing attorney, circuit court judge, appellate court judge, department commander of the Grand Army of the Re- public, and Congressman, is a substantial and unusual reward of merit for any man. Add to these honors the esteem of a community which knew him for lialf a cen- tury and the love of a devoted family and you have a word picture of a typical Indiana citizen — Daniel Web- ster Com. STOCK. Unfortunately for me, Mr. Comstock's service in Con- gress was of such short duration that I had only a passing acquaintance with him, but I saw and hoard enough of him to most favorably imjiress me with his earnestness and his patriotism. While old in years he was new in Congress, and therefore he did not actively participate in proceedings while here, but wlien be tlid speak he com- manded marked attention and profound respect, for the membershij) saw in iiim tiie pronounced elements of a good mail and a ripe scholar. It will mailer lillh- ill llu' day "f judKnu'iil — Says llic aulhui' of .biiiii iiifilcsMiit — by wbut name you have lii'cii lallid, wiutlur Catholii- or I'rolcs- tant, Jesuit or Jansenist, Jew or Gentile. These and sinulnr things are mere accidents of birlli and circumstance. But it will niatler Kreatly wliellier, having chosen your part, you follow it faithfully to the end. [28] Address of Mr. Barnhart, of Indiana Abraham Lincoln once said : I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true; I am not bound to succeed in all that I undertake, but I am bound to live up to what light I have; it is my duty to stand with anyone who is right, stand with him as long as he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong. My brief acquaintance with Mr. Comstock led me to believe that his standard of life was in harmony with both the foregoing tests of good citizenship, and if I am right in this estimate his career as husband, parent, citizen, soldier, jurist, and statesman is a more eloquent eulogy on a life well spent than any I could pronounce. But in these times, when the life of our Nation is in danger and a cruel war is raging, the soldier phase of the deceased's life record furnishes special inspiration for en- comium. War is a dreadful thing, and the man who quits the peaceful pursuits of life and happiness to bare his breast to the shafts of death for his country's sake em- blazons his own glory on the scroll of fame. He says good-by to home and family and friends; he lays down his well-begun endeavor to make a financial success of life in such a way that he is sure to be loser when he returns; he braves the danger of physical hardships, disease, home- sickness, and injury or death at the hands of the enemy, and does it without any hope of reward, except the con- solation in the coming years that he did his duty. And I wonder if we who remain at home fully appre- ciate the sacrifice a man makes who goes forth to fight for his country. I doubt it. I see too many evidences that some of us want to make money out of the countrj^'s mis- fortune which necessitates the dying of soldiers at the front. I see evidences that many of us refuse to make any sacrifices of money or pleasure or comfort to show our fighting legions that we are arm in arm with them in self- sacrifice, that they may be as comfortable, healthy, and [29] Memohi.\l Addresses: Representative Comstock safe as possible. A luinous general and celebrated hu- manitarian has declared that we ought to quit our social pleasures until we are sure that tlir lives of our soldier boys are out of danger and that we ought not to dance and " high-ily " socially while the brutal dagger of an enemy is being aimed at the hearts of our boys and the blight of destruction of liberty is darkening the sunshine of life itself. Oh, if we could only realize what the old soldiers, like the one we honor here to-day, know of the horrors of war, not only on battle field but in the sufl'ering ever after by those who are touched by its dreadful bru- tality, we would more fully appreciate the blessings of life in a land of the free. Most of us live in an air of self- asserted divine right, oblivious of the fact that our splen- did country and its matchless institutions are such as the result of misery and death in many hard-fought battles for freedom. This is no time for pleasure seeking and money grabbing by those who do not have to fight; and if Daniki. Comstock were on this floor with his comrades and colleagues to-day he would join them in emphatically approving what I am saying. I know what it is to say farewell to a manly boy as he leaves for the front. On a lovely morning last summer I arose in a home made such only in name by a visitation of death and accompanied a splendid young fellow to a railway station where he was to take an early morning fniii) for the far West to enter U]ioii the gruesome but piilriolie (hily of drilling men to liglil to kill in order that our country may live. I was greatly inspired by his cliccr- fiil courage in leaving his boyhood home, of so many pleasant memories, to go, God knows wliere, to risk his life that others may live free from oppression. And when the train came I said to liiin: " Good-by, fine boy. Goui;si;NT\Tivi-: Comstock Service in war in defense of our representative Government is a duty, but it need not be devoid of sentiment. Willi the service, if we would make it most effective in connection with the dis- charge of duty, may also go along the amenities of war, the com- radeship growing out of mutual toil and suffering; the " martial courtesy which lends to danger grace, to valor pride"; relieving and mitigating its sad offices. * ' * To-day we mourn one ripe in years, who, after a lonf» life devoted to tlie service of others and crowded witli honors, has heen taken for higher duties. In life he had our trust, our utmost confidence in his integrity, our love — and we shall long remember liini as a brave, modest, courteous, kindly. Christian gentleman. Of him we can say as a great poet said of one of our greatest captains: Glory and honor and fame and everlasting laudation For our captains who loved not war, but fought for the life of the Nation; ^^'ho knew that, in all the land, one slave meant strife, not peace; Who fought for freedom, not glory; made war that war might cease. Glory and honor and f;inie; the beating of muffled drums; The wailing funeral dirge, as the flag-wrapped collin comes; Fame and honor and glory; and joy for a noble soul. For a full and splendid life, and laureled rest at the goal. But hiltei- lliaii iiiailial woe. and the pageant of civic sorrow; Better than praise of lo-day, or the statue we build to-morrow; Better than honor and glory, and history's iron pen, Was the thought of dutv done and the love of his fellow men. [40] Address of Mr. Fairfield, of Indiana Mr. Speaker: The splendid tributes of respect that have been paid to the meinorj' of Judge Comstock by gentle- men who knew him but confirm the impressions that were made upon my mind in a very brief association with him in this House. Perhaps the strangeness that is common to us all when first we are permitted to enter the House, drawn from a continental area representing 100,000,000 of people, was as strange to him, though aged, as to us, for every new experience puts a new stamp upon a man, and no sooner is it given than it seems as if the whole concourse of events had been directed to that end. My first meeting with our colleague was in Indianapolis, just a few weeks before the assembling of Congress — simply a passing touch; and yet, having known something of his public career, I became immediately interested in his personality. When he came here his striking figure challenged the attention of all. The gentleness of his manner, the kindly quality that characterized his speech, together with the care with which he uttered his judgments, signified to me that the habits of his life had been the habits of a thought- ful man. No doubt all of us in these times are moved with any allusions to the soldier life. I can understand that all the things that draw men together are experi- enced bj' the soldier; a common thought, a common in- terest, a common suffering, a common sacrifice. To my mind there has been to-day the thought of the deeper cur- rent that ran through his life historj'. I was but a child of 5 when the Civil War broke out. To me it is scarcely a memory. Indistinct, far away, as if from another age, there comes a slight memorj^ of troops parading and of [41] Mi;muiuai. Ai)I)I(i;s.si:s : lii;i'Ui;.si-M.vnvE Comstdck having been led by my father in safety beside the cavalrj-, and then I remember, too, on two or three other occasions indistinctly how my childish heart was stirred by martial music and the tramp, tramp, tramp of the boys as they marched away. Tlu' years that have intervened, however, have made incarnate some of the phases of that mighty struggle, and the recent experiences in my home have intensified and deepened the significance of it all. When that call came from President Wilson in our recent Mexican trouble, out from my own home one young man, strong, and loving liberty, gave himself to his country only to come back to be carried out to the hill beyond the town to wait the resurrection morn. Ah, men, 1 have counted it an honor that his grave should be marked with a simple stone that is given to the private. The deeper current had run through the thought of that young man's life, and he and the older man would not have been strangers had they met here on the floor of this House. It was fortunate that Daniel W. Comstock was permitted to have a part in that great struggle in the great Civil War. to be a determining factor in seeing to it that the principles which have made this Government possible in perpetuity were made safe by liie sacrifice of liis lime, his talent, and the endanger- ing of his life. The name of Oliver P. Morton has been nienlioned upon the fioor of this House to-day. In one of the keenest fought political bailies of all the stress of thai war Oli- ver P. Morion wiiit lufori' the people of our Slate and said : Till- Conslituliiin :m«l liiws <•{ the I'nilcil -Slali-s nin-rali- imiiic- (liaU-ly anil dirtillv upon tlu- iiuliviilual anil not upon tlu- Slalc and as if IIuto wire no States inliTviMiins. Hi- .suceerdt (I ill liiat idiilliel, ;iii(l iu> iloiii)! I)\.\ii;i. W. Comstock worked to liu < ii his age I do not mean to suggest thai he was old, i'xei|)t in years and experience. To do so would do a great injustice to his memory. He was excei)lionally young in mind and actions. 1 have observed thai many jx'ople li\i in llu past ])i()|)oi'lionalely as they advance in years. It was not so with him. .lutlge CoMSTOCK was a student of modern (jueslions. He re- ferred to till' past only liial he might prolit by llie experi- ence it gave him and thereby build tiie betti r for the fuluic. He was intensely inleresled in the success and conduct of Ibis war. His oidy icgiel, as expressed to me many times, was that he could not shake olT the-.'iO years [44] Address of Mr. Purnell, of Indi.\na that have come and gone since he served on the field of battle and give again to his countrj' the same service he rendered then. I attended his funeral and observed the high and exalted place he held in the hearts of those who knew him best. His friends and neighbors loved and respected him. To my mind this is the real test of the man. I helped to carry his lifeless form to its last resting place. When we reached the hallowed spot I thought I had never seen a more wonderful setting. Between two stately trees on the crest of a sloping hill we laid him to rest, and there he sleeps in a cemetei*j' covered with beautiful grass and foliage and shaded by majestic trees. It looked more like a natural park than a city of the dead. What a fitting end this was to a busy and successful life. To die in the harness, so to speak, in possession of all one's faculties and at the end of a long and useful life should be the ambition of every man. Such a life can not end with death. Such was the life of our departed colleague. His State and Nation could ill aflford to lose him. His services to both will long be remembered and appreciated by a grateful people. The Speaker pro tempore. Under the special order authorizing these services, the House now stands ad- journed. Accordingly (at 1 o'clock and 32 minutes p. in.) the House adjourned to meet to-morrow, Monday, Februaiy 18, 1918, at 12 o'clock noon. [45] Proceedings in the Senate Saturday, May 19, 1917. A message from the House of Representatives, by D. K. Hempstead, its enrolling clerk, communicated to the Sen- ate the intelligence of the death of Daniel \V; Comstock, late a Representative from the State of Indiana, and transmitted resolutions of the House thereon. The Presiding Officer. The Chair lays before the Sen- ate resolutions of the House of Representatives, which will be read. The Secretary read the resolutions, as follows : In the House of Representatives of the United States, May 19, 1917. Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow of the death of Hon. Daniel W. Comstock, a Representative from the State of Indiana. Resolved, That a committee of 15 Members of the House, with such Members of the Senate as may be joined, be appointed to attend the funeral. Resolved, That the Sergeant at Arms of the House be authorized and directed to take such steps as may be necessary for carrying out the provisions of these resolutions, and that the necessary ex- penses in connection therewitli be paid out of the contingent fund of the House. Resolved, That tlie Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate and transmit a copy thereof to the family of the deceased. Resolved, That as a further mark of respect this House do now adjourn. Mr. New. Mr. President, it is with great sorrow that I have to announce to the Senate the death of Hon. Daniel W. Comstock, a Representative in Congress from the sixth congressional district of Indiana. Judge Comstock served his State loyally and gallantly as a soldier of the Union in the great Civil War and at various times has [47] Mi^.MoHiAi. AoDHLSsiis : Rei'Iiesentativh Comstock served his State with lionor and distinction on tlic bencli of its higher courts. He was gallant and brave as a soldier, efficient and distinguished as a jurist, and was serving lionorably and with credit as a Representative in Congress at the time of his unexpected deatli. . Mr. President, on some future day I shall ask the Senate to designate a time at which appropriate tribute may he paid to the memory of the deceased Represesentative. For the present I offer the resolutions which I send to the desk and ask for their adoption. The resolutions were read, considered by unanimous consent, and agreed to, as follows: lU'solued, That Ihc Senate has heard with deep sensibility the announeeiiient of the death of Hon. D.\Nn:L W. Co.mstock, late a Representative from the State of Indiana. Resolved, That a coniinittee of five Senators be appointed by tlie Chair to join the committee appointed on the part of tlie House of Representatives to attend tlie funeral of the deceased in Richmond, Ind. Resolved, That the Secretary comniunicatc a copy of these reso- lutions to the House of Representatives. The Presiding Officer, under the second clause of tlir resolution.s, appointed as the committee on the part of the Senate Mr. New, Mr. Watson, Mr. Fernald. Mr. Thoma.s, and Mr. Hardwlck. Mr. Xi;w. Mr. President, as a further mark of respect l<> the memory of the deceased IU'|)r(S(iil:iti\c I movf tliat the Senate adjourn. The motion was unanimously agmti tn; and (at 2 o'clock and fif) minutes p. m., Saturday, May 19, 1017) the Senal<- adjdiiiiicd iinlil Mdiiday. May 21, 1917. :il 12 n'rlock meridian. MoxoAV, I'cbrnanj 2'i, 1.019. Mr. Ni.w. Mr. Prisidtiit, I disirc to give notice that on Sunday next. Marcli 2. al tht cunclusion nf llif eulogies on (481 Proceedings in the Senate the late Senator Husting, of Wisconsin, and the late Rep- resentative Davidson, of Wisconsin, I shall ask the Sen- ate to consider resolutions on the life, character, and pub- lic services of Hon. Daniel W. Comstock, late a Repre- sentative from the State of Indiana. Sunday, March 2, 1919. (Legislative day of Saturday, March 1, 1919.) The Senate met at 1 o'clock p. m., on the expiration of the recess. Mr. New. Mr. President, I offer the resolutions which I send to the desk. The Vice President. The resolutions will be read. The resolutions (S. Res. 484) were read, considered by unanimous consent, and unanimously agreed to, as fol- lows: Resolved, That the Senate assembles as a mark of respect to the memory of Hon. Daniel W. Comstock, late a Representative from the State of Indiana, in pursuance of an order heretofore made, in order that fitting tribute may be paid to his high character and distinguished pubic services. Resolved, That the Senate again expresses its profound sorrow at the death of the late Representative from Indiana. Resolved, That the Secretary transmit a copy of these resolu- tions to the House of Representatives and to the family of the deceased. 115072«— 19- [49] MEMORIAL ADDRESSES Address of Mr. New, of Indiana Mr. President : When a good man and a faithful public servant dies it is well that those who knew him in life should make acknowledgment of the character and the value of his service. Therefore, Mr. President, I rise in my seat to-day to pay a brief but well-deserved tribute to Daniel W. Comstock, late a Representative in Congress from the sixth Indiana district, for he was both. The life of this man was typical of all that is best in American manhood — the most enviable and commend- able manhood of the world in wliich we live. As boy and youth his lot was that of the average American boy of his State and generation. His greatest desire was that he might acquire an education, and this he won in spite of many obstacles which to other men would have been in- surmountable, being graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan Universitj' in 1860, when but 20 years of age. He took up his home and entered upon the practice of the law in Henry County, Ind., and two years later had so established himself in the esteem and the confidence of the people that he was elected by them as prosecuting at- torney for his district. It was at this time that Mr. Comstock showed the stuff that was in him. The great Civil War was devastating the country. He not only heard the call to duty but re- sponded to it by surrendering his office and the compe- tency which it guaranteed and enlisting in the Armj' of the Union as a member of the Ninth Indiana Cavalry. As [51] Memorial AuuRnssEs: Rei'RESentative Comstoc.k a soldier of liis couulrj' he distinguished himself, having received special commendation for unusual bravery in acUon. He served as a soldier until late in 186."), wiien there was no longer need for soldiers. Then lie returned to Indiana and took up his residence at Richmond, resuming the ])rac- tice of the law. It was not long until his friends and neighbors recognized that his fairness, his evident sense of justice, demonstrated his fitness for the bench, and he was elected judge of the court of that circuit. There he served with such credit that his parly later nominated and elected liim to the appellate court of the Slate, where for 1.") years he was universally known and recognized as a wise and just judge. Mr. President, ambition is a worthy thing; indeed, it may be said that it embraces most of all that is best in men. It is said lliat it was Judge Comstock's ambition to serve his district in the Congress of the United States, and this ambition was happily gratified win ii. in 1910, lie was elected to represent a district that has furnished to the Hoosier State and to the country some of the most illus- trious names in our history. Judge Comstock's name is worthy to be associated with the names of those great men. But, Mr. President, Providence decreed that Judge Com- .stoc:k's congressJDnal career should be but brief. He lived only thrie months after having assumed liis olliee; but in that time he had demonstrated his (lunlitiis lor service, as he had in every previous instance. It is a nuitler of genuine regret to all who knew iiini that he should liave so soon succumbetl; but he has left Ixliinil iiim llie record «)!' a life well spent and the respect and llie afTeclion not only of his colleagues iiul of all who knew liini. [52] Address of Mr. Watson, of Indiana Mr. President: I have not had the opportunity to com- mit to paper any remarks for this occasion, and within the limits of the allotted time I can not adequately esti- mate the life, the character, and the services of this dis- tinguished citizen of my State. He was born in 1840 and died in 1917, thus living in an eventful and, in fact, in an heroic period of the Republic. Like other boys, he played about, all unconscious of the tragic events that were shaping about him and in the final and triumphant culmination of which he was to play a conspicuous part. After finishing the common schools he entered the uni- versity at Delaware and graduated there in 1860. Subse- quently, as my colleague [Mr. New] has already said, he began to practice law at Newcastle; but shortly after en- tering upon the practice of his chosen profession he heard the call of duty, and that to him was a louder call than the demands of selfish ambition. He enlisted in the Army and served there with distinction until late in the year 1865. He entered as a private; he retired as a captain, thus showing the faithfulness of his service to his country in the time of its distress. Subsequently he settled in the city of Richmond, Ind., and entered upon the practice of his profession; was chosen prosecuting attorney for two terms, judge of the common pleas court for 12 years, and afterwards was for 15 years a member of the appellate bench of the State of Indiana. It was a matter of the greatest pride to him that he had showed his love for his country by service in the Army, and his devotion to his fellow soldiers and comrades of [53] Mii.Muiu.u. Adduesses : Rei'Hese.ntative Comstuck the war of 18G1 was such that they afterwards chose him as the department commander of the Grand Army of the Republic for the State of Indiana. The Commonwealth to which we belong, Mr. President, furnished to the Nation 208,000 soldiers, as I recall, dur- ing the Civil War, and yet it is somewhat singular that in that hotbed of politics, notwithstanding the fact that the soldiers exerted such a very great influence on the po-. litical life of the State and directed the political energies of both political parties, but one of the soldiers of the Civil War found his way into this body from that State, and that was Ccn. Benjamin Harrison, afterwards President of the United States. It is another fact that we may well mention on this oc- casion, that Judge Com.stock was the last soldier of the Civil War to be elected to Congress from the Slate of Indiana, and, in the very nature of tilings, is the very last that will be so chosen. Therefore, as wc remember him^ to-day as a man, as an individual, as a citizen,. and as a patriot we also pay something of tribute to llie soldiers of the Civil War, fur, as 1 have said, his service in the Army was his chief pride in life. yiv. President, sometimes we arc ;ii)l to Ihiiik tliat tlie heroic days of the Republic have gone, and perliaps gone forever, and there are those among us who are constantly mourning llie decadence of the race. The fligiit of lime casts a halo iiiioul men. As an instance of this fact we arc prone to speak of Senators of the days gone by as giants, and men in a way deprecate the ixisting condition of allairs and niinimi/.e tiiose wlio at this time represent States in tiiis great body and in its associate at tlie other end of tile Capitol; but, afti'r all, in tlu' future, when history wrilis with her uiieiring liaiid tlie real triitli of the present time, she will uiidoulitedly recite Dial the men who this day represent the Slates of Ihe I'nion in this body [54] Address of Mr. Watson, of Indiana and who represent the people of the various districts in the associate body measure up in patriotism, in character, and in high purpose with those of any preceding day in the history of the Republic. Sometimes we have thought that we were so devoted to commercialism and so wedded to the thought of the accumulation of wealth that the great virtues were ebbing away, that men had lost that ruggedness of character and those essential fundamentals that make for sterling man- hood and for the highest character of American patriot- ism, but when we reflect upon Chateau-Thierrj', upon St. Mihiel, and upon the Argonne Forest we see that the vir- tues are still here and that in any time of stress or peril the same ruggedness of character, the same virility of manhood that characterized the generation gone will re- spond upon the call of the country. Therefore I do not despair of the institutions founded by the fathers and handed down to us at such a great sacrifice of blood and of treasure, and I attribute this per- sistence of patriotism and this continuity of manhood to the noble example of men like the subject of these re- marks. Judge CoMSTocK represented for two months the dis- trict I had the honor to represent as a Member of the House of Representatives for a dozen years. For 25 years he and I were intimate personal and political friends and associates, and, echoing what the honored Vice President said to me but a few moments ago, he was one of the most delightful men it has ever been my privi- lege to know. He was a magnificent specimen of physical manhood; he had splendid traits and characteristics that showed in his very countenance and ever displayed them- selves to all his friends in his social intercourse. He was a just judge; he was an upright man; he was a conscientious lawyer; he was a true patriot; he was a [55] Me-Moiual Aui)IU:;ssks : Ui:i'iti;si;.\ taum; ('o.mstuc:k noble citizen of the Republic; and we do well in the midst of the turmoil and even the tragedy of life, as it is now being enacted in the world, to withdraw for a brief period and pay our tribute of respect to this splendid man, who served his generation well and who has fallen asleep. Mr. President, in accordance with arrangements hereto- fore made, I now move that, as a further mark of respect to the memorj' of the deceased Senator and Representa- tives, the Senate take a recess until to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock. The motion was unanimously agreed to; and (at 3 o'clock and 40 minutes p. in., Sunday, March 2) the Sen- ate took a recess until to-morrow, Monday, March 3, 11)19, at 10 o'clock a. m. ^ 1501