Hook • f^^/^-lLS r 64th Congress], 2d Session J HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Document \ No. 2138 DAVID EDWARD FINLEY (Late a Representative from South Carolina) MEMORIAL ADDRESSES DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES i SIXTY-FOURTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION Proceedings in the House February 25, 1917 Proceedings in the Senate February 25, 1917 PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRINTING ^A.V '.,'^ '^'■ J^ i%-4«As WASHINGTON 1917 D. of D. FEB 28 1918 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page. Proceedings in the House 5 Prayer by Rev, Henry N. Couden, D. D 7 Memorial addresses by — Mr. Wyatt Aiken, of South Carolina 9 Mr. James T. Lloyd, of Missouri 11 Mr. James F. Byrnes, of South Carolina 13 Mr. Champ Clark, of Missouri 19 Mr. Halvor Steenerson, of Minnesota 21 Mr. J. Willard Ragsdale, of South Carolina 26 Mr. Julius Kahn, of California 28 Mr. Richard S. Whaley, of South Carolina 30 Mr. Thomas M. Bell, of Georgia 32 Mr. Samuel J, Nicholls, of South Carolina 37 Mr. William S. Goodwin, of Arkansas 40 Mr. Paul G. McCorkle, of South Carolina 44 Mr. Asbury F. Lever, of South Carolina 46 Proceedings in the Senate 59 Memorial addresses by — Mr. Ellison D. Smith, of South Carolina 63 Mr. John W. Weeks, of Massachusetts 66 Mr. Joseph T. Robinson, of Arkansas 68 Mr. Bert M. Fernald, of Maine 72 Mr. Benjamin R. Tillman, of South Carolina 74 [3] >sire. I et)uld refer to [14] Address of Mr. Byrnes, of South Carolina his service on the Committee on the Post Office and Post Roads, where as the ranking Democrat he shared with the distinguished chairman of that committee the labor and honor incident to the development of the postal sys- tem during the last six years. I can truthfully say that I believe that he was the best friend the rural free-delivery carriers of the Nation had in this House and that he was equally loyal to the city letter carriers. But, Mr. Speaker, I believe that if these exercises are to serve their purpose something more than these facts should be recorded. All men are born, live, and die. Many attain success in their life's work, but only a few are selected from among their fellows for honor and distinction, and I believe that on an occasion of this kind we should endeavor to record and emphasize those traits of character which caused the de- ceased to attain distinction and success. I believe the dominant features of Mr. Finley's character were his courage and independence of thought. He was first elected to office at a time when men of courage and of independence were in demand in South Carolina, and I have not the slightest doubt that his early success was due to the recognition by his people of these connnendable virtues. Early in his career in the legislature of his State he demonstrated his independence. Though his sym- pathies were with the reform faction he refused to be bound by them and refused to enter a caucus of that faction, declaring it to be wrong for one group of Demo- crats to caucus against another group of Democrats. He was an old-time dyed-in-the-wool Democrat who believed so ardently in the doctrine of State rights that he gave the name of " State Rights " to one of the five sons who to-day mourn his death. Mr. Speaker, those of us who knew him intimately have always admired his independence and courage. No stronger illustration of these traits of his character could 90380°— 17— 2 [15] ?\Iemorial Addresses: Representative Finley be given than his attitude on the Panama Canal tolls question, when President Wilson asked Congress to re- verse its action exempting vessels engaged in coastwise trade from the payment of tolls. We can all recall what a bitter contest was waged in this House on that ques- tion. Mr. FiNXEY was one of those who in order to com- ply with the request of the President would have to reverse himself. Notwithstanding the request of the President was unanimously approved of by the press of South Carolina, and notwithstanding the fact that his friends, who believed he would injure himself politi- cally, pleaded with him to change, he stuck to his posi- tion and voted against the request of the President and against the majority of his party. In his speech on that measure he ably defended his position, declaring that he stood by the Democratic platform, and, among other things, said: The President has performed his duty as he views it. I, as a Member of the United States Congress, have my duty to perform, and while it is with great regret that it will not be in support of the President's position and in accord with the views of many of my friends, I must vote according to the dictates of my own con- science. While, on account of weaknesses such as the flesh is heir to, I, in the opinion of some, may not have always been able to live up to the standard, yet my admiration is unbounded for the man described in the last clause of the fcnirth verse of the fifteenth Psalm. Mr. Speaker, it is indicative of tlio cliaracter of Mr. FiNLEY that he should look to the Scriptures for his ideal of a man. The clause referred to reads as follows: "He that sweareth to his own hurt and chant|(^th not." Tliat was his idea of a man, and (hough he IxlicNcd in tjiis canal-tolls matter that he was acting to " his own hurt," he changed not. It must be said of him during all his career in (his House he never hesitated to declare his [16] Address of Mr. Byknes, of South Carolina position on any question, regardless of the effect it might have upon his political fortunes. Mr. Speaker, I shall ever miss my friend Judge Finley. I know not how he acquired the title of " Judge," but it was thus that I always addressed him. In turn he always called me " Bud," and I think it accurately typified the fatherly interest he displayed in me, and for that matter in all of the younger men in our delegation. It is inevi- table that among Members serving from the same State there should at times arise some conflict of interest, some conflict of ambitions, and whenever it can be truly said, as it can of Mr. Finley, that he was loved by every mem- ber of his own delegation, it is indeed an eloquent tribute to the personal side of his character. With us he was always fair, and he was always square. He was thought- ful, and he was generous. He never attempted to pro- mote his own interest if in so doing he worked an in- jury to any one of his colleagues. Instead of courting pub- licity he avoided it, but whenever as chairman of our dele- gation he thought it incumbent upon him to issue a state- ment to the press as to the attitude of the delegation on any pending measure we knew that he would scrupu- lously guard the interests of each and every one of us. It is not surprising that such a man was loved by his col- leagues. But, Mr. Speaker, while the confidence and respect of our colleagues is desirable, even more desirable is the con- tinued confidence and love of one's neighbors at home, the people among whom a man lives, and who by reason of their daily contact with him are best able to judge what manner of man he is. The place Judge Finley occupied in the affections of his neighbors was readily appreciated by those who attended his funeral services at York and saw the thousands of people who by their presence sought to show their love for the friend who was gone. Only a [17] Memorial Adohesses : Representative Finley few of them could secure admission to the Associate Re- formed Presbyterian Church where the services were held, and of which church Mr. Finley was for years a mem- ber. The others asked no greater privilege than that they be allowed to stand w4th bared heads as from the church the body of their friend was borne to its resting place. These were his true friends, the people who knew him and understood him; in whose homes he was known and wel- comed; whose joys and sorrows had been his joys and sor- rows. As his remains were lowered into the grave there were tears in the eyes of strong men, men who had fol- lowed him for years and now realized he was no more. As I looked into their honest faces unbidden tears came into my own eyes and my heart went out to those people because they loved my friend. 1 believe if they were here to-day they would join me in saying of him : He was a friend of truth, of soul sincere; In action faitliful, and in honor clear; Who hroke no promises, served no private ends, Sought no title and forsook no friends. [181 Address of Mr. Clark, of Missouri Mr. Speaker. Thirty-three years is usually considered the average span of human life. Our well-beloved friend, David Edward Finley, lived 56 years. Twenty-four of these years were spent in public service — 6 in the Legis- lature of South Carolina, 18 in the National House of Representatives. At the time of his death he had been elected for two more years here. He was a prime favor- ite at home and a prime favorite here. He took high rank as a legislator both in the State legislature and the Federal Congress. He made a specialty of postal matters. To master the details of the elaborate, delicate, and in- tricate postal machine, the greatest business machine in the world, is enough for one man. To this vast business, with its almost countless phases, Mr. Finley devoted his time, his energies, and his ability with singular devo- tion. On that subject his information was encyclopedic. He was deeply interested in the work in all its branches. He was especially interested in the welfare of the em- ploj'^ees in the Postal Service and was highly appreciated by them. All over the land are thousands of men and women whose situation is better and whose lives are hap- pier by reason of his efforts in their behalf. They should bless his name forever. He was their friend, indeed, Mr. Finley did not spend much time in speechmaking, nevertheless he was a clear, forceful, luminous speaker. His forte was work, work, work. He was laid away to his final rest on a perfect day — warm, bright, balmy. His mourning constituents by the thousands followed him to the grave and banked it with flowers, thereby attesting their love and esteem. [19] Memorial Addresses: Representative Finley 111 private life Mr. Finley was a delightful companion, interesting, jovial, generous, and kind. Serving with him almost a score of years, appreciat- ing his fine qualities and his valuable service to his country and his kind, I formed for him a close friend- ship, which survives the grave. His whole career may be appropriately summed up in the sentence, " He went about doing good." [20] Address of Mr. Steenerson, of Minnesota Mr. Speaker: I first met Mr. Finley when the Fifty- eighth Congress convened in its first session, 1903. I had been appointed a member of the Post Office Committee, of which he already had been a member for three or four years. A sincere friendship sprang up between us and it was to me a pleasant thing to be associated with him in the labors on that committee. Although, as has been stated, he was a man of strong convictions, especially political convictions, it so happened that we were in dis- agreement but very rarely. Of course, on a question of party politics we differed radically, but such questions are few, comparatively, to the many questions that arise for consideration in Congress, and on many occasions Mr. Finley remarked to me that it was strange that he and I, he thought, voted together oftener than any two men in the House of Representatives. One of the questions of the day when I first entered Congress was the question of railway and ship subsidies. The Post Office bill had car- ried for many years special pay for one or two railroads over and above what all other railroads of the country received and, although it was in the region of the country represented by Mr. Finley, he objected to any favoritism; he wanted everybody treated alike and he opposed it, as did the present chairman of the committee, the gentleman from Tennessee [Mr. Moon], but the majority party on the committee voted for those provisions, and so it hap- pened on this question we were agreed and we made the fight on the floor until after a session or two both of those items, which were sought to be included in the appro- priation bill, disappeared and the policy of a subsidy was [21] Memohial Addresses : Representative Finley dropped. It ^vus not a political question, but it was one that concerned the welfare of the Postal Service. As stated by the gentleman from Missouri ^Mr. Lloj'd] and the gentleman from South Carolina [Mr. Byrnes], he was a true friend of the Rural Free Delivery Service. There are few, if any, members of the committee who have done so much to extend and develop that service. Mr. Fin- ley believed that the Postal Service was one of the greatest governmental functions that we have. He believed that it did more to consolidate and unify the people, to create a general public sentiment and solidarity among the peo- ple. The question of the exchange of literature through the periodical press, the distribution of commodities through the development of the parcel post he believed was a very great element in the development of the coun- try. He took an interest, as has already been stated, in all branches of that great service. I think it is perfectly fair to say that he had more to do, or at least as much to do, as any Member of either House in the fonnulation and enactment of the so-called classification act of 1907, which put the employees of the Postal Service, who were em- braced within the terms, upon a better footing, not so de- pendent upon the autocrats of the bureaus, and gave them assurance that by faithful service they would eventually be promoted to higher places. He took special interest also in the development of the Parcel Post Service. He introduced bills on that suliject live or six years l)ir()re the measure was enacted into law. His first idea was for a Parcel Post Service on the rural routes. Later on he extended it to [\\c whok' country. I heard him often declare, and il sliows the soundness of his thinking, that this proposed Parcel Post Scrvict' was a freight service and that il shonki pay its way botii in handling and fransjjorlalion ; that every man who wanted commodities transported and delivered sliouUl pay llie [22] Address of Mr. Steenerson, of Minnesota cost thereof; and that it should not be a burden on the tax- payers of the countrj\ And in order to carry out this idea, as one of the members of the conferees on the parcel-post bill between the two Houses in 1912 he favored the adop- tion of the zone system as the only system whereby this service could be made to pay its way. He was a man, as has been said, of strong convictions, and there was one subject that we discussed together very often, and that was the theory of the separation of powers in government. He adhered strictly not only to the doc- trine of State rights, but he believed in the original the- ories in regard to the separation of powers upon which this Government is founded and upon which the Constitu- tion was written. He regretted that a tendency had been manifest for many years on the part of the executive branch of the Government to encroach upon the coordi- nate branch, the legislative, and he did what he could to resist this tendency. At every session, both during Re- publican and Democratic administration, bills appeared that were originated in the departments which had a tend- ency to diminish the authority and the dignity and the power of Congress; and these he resisted. In discussing this subject with Mr. Finley he often re- ferred to the remarkable change in the British constitu- tion with reference to tliis subject of separation of powers and to the fact that there and in most European govern- ments, starting out with absolutism a few hundred years ago, the popular branch of the legislature has gradually absorbed the executive. Take the House of Commons, for instance. By the unwritten law and practice the mem- bers of the cabinet must be members of the house, and must belong to the dominant party. These cabinet of- ficers, 18 or 20 in number, are really the administrators. They constitute together an executive body. It thus has happened that over there, instead of the executive en- [23] Memorial Addresses : Representative Finley croaching upon the legislative branch the legislative branch has actually absorbed a large part of the executive functions, therebj' augmenting the power of the people who elect their representatives. The tendency here seems to be in the opposite direc- tion. So we elect a dictator once in four years, and the Houses of Congress are transformed from coordinate branches to ratification meetings of the decrees of the Executive power. This was a tendency which Mr. Finley feared. He feared it was destructive of our institutions. Only last summer, when a question between Congress and the executive branch involving these matters to some extent was in conference between the two Houses and he was unable to be present he requested me, knowing that I agreed with him, to speak his views on the subject. Personally Mr. Finley was a delightful companion. He had no enemies, so far as I ever knew. All were his friends. He made few speeches, but he was an effective speaker and was an able debater. I remember only a year or two ago, while he was discussing the question of the proper limitation of the Executive authority over the matter of appointments, and he declared himself a friend of civil service limited to its proper sphere, l)ul did not want it extended to executive functionaries, some one asked him if the Democratic Party did not agree with An- drew Jackson that "to the victor belongs the spoils"? He replied, " Andrew .lackson was born in my district, but my people were Democrats long before his day." 1 was one of llie commillee of Congress to attend the funeral on the 28th of .laiuiary last, and went to York with that committee. Certainly the large attendance and the in;iniresl sor row on the p;irt of all in that community was an evidence of the high esteem and love in which they held him. They believed he was their friend and he de- served their conlidence. The good that he has done will [24] Address of Mr, Steenerson, of Minnesota live long after this generation. He ought to be, and prob- ably will be, remembered by the hundreds of thousands of postal employees throughout the country for many gen- erations. It has been well said : * * * He That, through the channels of the state, Conveys the people's wish, is great; His name is pure; his fame is free. On the morning of the funeral it was cloudy and it threatened rain. As we stood near the grave and the last wreaths of flowers were brought by loving hands the sky cleared and the sun shone brightly and it was as warm as a day in June. To many of us it seemed like a sign of promise of a fairer day in the life to come. There is no death; the thing that we call death Is but another, sadder name for life. Which is itself an insufficient name. Faint recognition of that unknown Life, That Power whose shadow is the universe. [25] Address of Mr. Ragsdale, of South Carolina Mr. Speaker: When the Creator of this world reached into space and in His omnipotent hands molded this sphere and sent it down the aisles of time toward eternity He made man in His own image and with the power of thought and direction, limiting his time on earth and making for him a place in eternity. I know of no better way to describe man's sojourn here than in the couplet of Burns, wherein he says: Like a snowflake on the river — A moment white, then gone forever. Our deceased friend, following the path that all men must tread, has heard the last call to duty, has performed the last service for his country', has seen the last glorious sunrise and wonderfully beautiful sunset in the land that he loved so well, and has separated from time and passed into eternity. David Edward Finley was a man of strong convictions, of strong will, and of great moral and physical courage. In the discharge of his duty he was not moved merely by the desire to serve himself or to please those in whose hands lay liis political future. More Ihan once have I dis- cussed expediency with him, and tlir conclusion of every discussion' was liis determination to do Ilia I which he be- lieved was right and that which he believed would bring the greatest biiulil to those whoni he represiiitcd \)vvc. He was a j);irtis;in in |)oli[ies and was st'ctional in his views. lie !()\C(1 and hilicNcd in the South and always he strove to do those things that woukl aild to her glory and give her the place to w hich her si-rvice in the past, as \\v\\ as the present, entilh her. [26] Address of Mr. Ragsdale, of South Carolina I shall always remember the day in York when we were called there to do honor to him, the great throng that gathered there and the universal expression of regret that their good friend, their wise counselor, and eminent states- man had been called away. There seemed to be but one thought, and that a desire to pay just tribute to him whom they would meet no more in this land. It was a wonderful day in Januarj^; the sun shone like a day in early summer, and there was a feeling in the air that winter was behind us and that spring had come, and it seemed to me that this was as it should be. He believed in the South and longed to serve the South. It was but fitting, therefore, that she should have had her soft zephyrs and wonderful climate at their very best when it came to the parting of ways between him and the State he loved so well. In paying tribute to the memory of the late George S. Legare, Mr. Finley quoted : The living are the only dead; The dead live, nevermore to die. And this thought was with me as I looked upon his grave piled high with beautiful floral tributes, whose aroma filled the air, and whose beauty spoke of the spirit that had prompted their being placed there by the hands of those who loved and trusted him. As the tall pines of his Southland, swept by gentle winds, sing his lullaby, he sleeps, resting only until the sounding of the great sum- mons which we all must answer. His brave spirit but awaits the call into a new life where the sable wings of death are never spread. [27] Address of Mr. Kahx, of California Mr. Speaker: David Eldward Finley and I were sworn in as Members of the Fifty-sixth Congress in December, 1899 — he as a Democrat, I as a Republican. While we differed in politics that fact never interfered with our personal relations. In fact, the subordination of party politics in the personal relations of Members is one of the distinctive and pleasurable features of membership in this House. We soon learned that we were both born on the same day, in the same year, and that we were exactly of the same age. From that time until the date of his death we were staunch friends. For years we cele- brated our birthday together. He was elected to every succeeding term of Congress and served nearly 18 years in this House. That in itself is the best testimonial to his worth as a legislator and a man. No citizen of the Republic can hope to be elected to a seat in Congress unless he has the unbounded confidence of a majority of the electors in his district. The rathors of the Constitution intended that the Members of the House of Representatives should go to the people frequently in order that they may receive the iiuiiulale of those i)oople on great public questions. E^viry two years we have to give an account of our stewardsliij) lo lliosf whose com- missions wr bear. While in recent years it freciuently lias been asserted that the term of Members of the House should be extended, 1 believe it is a wise provision of the fund;iiJi(i)l;il ];i\v lh;il Mcnihcis should hi' ilcclcd every two years. For eight successive elections alter his lirsl lenn Mr. FiNLEV was commissioned l)y his friends and neighbors, the ])eople among whom he lived and who knew him best. [28] Address of Mr. Kahn, of California to continue to represent them in this House. That he represented them well and faithfully we who were per- mitted to be his colleagues know full well. We can cheer- fully testify to the faith with which he performed his services to them, to his State, and to his country. In his private relations he was a fond and devoted hus- band, a kind and indulgent father. In this hour of their sorrow we pour out our sympathy to his bereaved, family. He was a man of sterling qualities, loyal and devoted in his friendships. He despised sham, and on the other hand respected and admired ability and honesty of purpose. He has answered the last roll call. He has been gath- ered to his fathers. We with whom he served so faith- fully, so honestly, so devotedly will ever cherish his memory. [29] Address of Mr. Whaley, of Solth Carolina Mr. Speaker: It is only just and right that we are gath- ered here to-day to pay respect to the memory of our de- parted friend and colleague who gave 18 consecutive years of his life to the service of the Nation. So well had he served his district that only recently his people had re- turned him for two years more, and had his life heen spared he would have rounded out 20 years of service on the floor of this House. There are few and rare instances where constituencies reward the sterling worth of mind and devotion to duty of a Representative by such a long period of service. This unbroken preferment is an elo- quent testimonial by the people whom he represented of their deep appreciation of his high character and great ability. It is the longest continuous service of any Repre- sentative from the Palmetto State. This was due in no small measure to his independence of thought and free- dom of action, clear convictions on national questions, devotion to what he believed sound principles, combined with a warm sympathy for the downtrodden and op- pressed and a lavish generosity in giving within his means to any and all causes that appealed to him, lie never wavered on questions of principle and was never a strad- dler on party questions. His unquestioned personal cour- age would not i)ermil his stand on any public question to be in doubt. He possessed the courage of his convic- tions and never feared to express them. By reason of these admiral)le triiils of cliaracler his political lollowing grew to be a personal attachment, and those who were at first only political adlierciits htcamc (IcNolcd and faith- ful friciids. I (lid not know Dwi; 1*"inlf:y iiitiinatily until my asso- ciation with him iui'c, a!tli(»u^li, of eoursi'. I knew of liim through his i)ui>lic life, as evi ryone else in my Stale kni-w him. Hut after coming here and being in close association [30] Address of Mr. Wh.\ley, of South Carolina with him I formed a deep affection for him which daily increased until the time of his death. His warm cordi- ality and open-heartedness, his ever willingness to aid and assist, his kindly suggestions and wise counsel endeared him to me, and his deatli was a personal bereavement. In no other place does a man stand so much upon his own merits as in this body, and here David E. Finley will be remembered by his colleagues as a man of force and conviction, of clear and honest intellect and thought, faithful and painstaking in the performance of his duties, and ever willing to place at the disposal of a brother Member his vast store of knowledge of affairs gained by personal experience. His counsel was consequently sought and his judgment given great consideration. He did not believe in radicalism or any " isms," but was al- ways a progressive and conservative thinker; the consci- entious, fearless Representative of his people and the whole Nation. There was never any narrowness in his views, and being a man who believed in liis own opinion and who knew the honesty thereof he had faith in his fellow man, and he accorded to others who differed with him a high respect for the honesty of their views. If his public life as a Representative excited admiration, it was his private life as a man which made him worthy of the highest respect and esteem — it was never open to question. He was a tender, loving husband; a fond, devoted father; a consistent Christian, and an upright, creditable citizen. Possessing an open and courageous nature, he despised deceit. He was never a hypocrite in politics or religion. Truly he was — One who never turned his back, but marched breast forward. Never doubted clouds would break, Never dreamed, tho' right were worsted, wrong would triumph, Held we fall to rise, are baffled to fight better. Sleep to wake. 90380°— 17 3 [31] Address of Mr. Bell, of Georgia Mr. Speaker : It is indeed a sad occasion to all of us who knew the Hon. David E. Finley personally. It was my pleasure to have known him before his election to Con- gress 18 years ago. He was elected to the Fifty-sixth Con- gress and served continuously until his death January 26, 1917. I had the pleasure of serving with him on the Com- mittee on the Post Office and Post Roads for a number of years, consequently I had a good opportunity to know of the good work he did as a Representative. He was an able man and always ready to serve his constituents to the end that he might be of real value to those who had honored him with their votes and their confidence. He was not afraid to express liis opinion on any subject in which his people were interested. He was not quick to make up his mind, nor did he jump at conclusions, but always in a quiet and modest way he thought out the best plan to reach that which in his judgment would best sub- serve the needs of his people. He was brave and yet he had the quality of persuasiveness. He was determined and yet not obstinate. He had convictions peculiar to himself, hut did not manifest unj)leasantncss if one failed to agree with him. Withal he was a splendid type of southern UKmhood and was proud of his section and his people. He did many valuable tilings during his sirvice in Congress. I remember his keen interest in the rural free delivery of mail, and he never lost an opportunity to do anything hv eouhi lo belter the conditions of the rur;d p()j)uhition. He was always on the alert in the increase of con)])ensation of runil letter carriers und was always [321 Address of Mr. Bell, of Georgia ready to take the initiative for them, and much credit is due him for advanced legislation along this line. He had a jovial disposition and always had a kind word for those he liked. He enjoyed diversion and would often indulge in conversational levity to make himself agreeable and to afford pleasure and gratification to those around him. He was my friend and my relative and I feel keenly his departure. I was the recipient of many valuable suggestions from him in matters which involved the interest of my people. He was a good lawyer and his opinion on matters of law was valuable to the country and his colleagues in the Halls of Congress. I remember, and was happy, to have done him a favor before he was elected to Congress; it was early in the morning of the day of his first primary election. I was in the town of York and stepped into the store of his brother-in-law, Mr. Will Gist, the best male friend he had in the world, and I found him visibly disturbed because he could find no one on election day to take charge of his business so that he might go out upon the streets and use his influence for his friend and brother. I volunteered my services, which were accepted, and took charge of the business of Mr. Gist for the day. This was the occasion of the warm friendship which sprung up between Mr. Finley and myself soon after I first came to Congress. We often discussed this incident and he as often expressed his high appreciation of what appeared to him to be a sacrifice on my part. Mr. Finley was yet a young man, and would not have been 56 years old until next Wednesday, the last day of February. His death was sad and so unexpected to those of us who were not with him during his illness. I have been told that his last campaign had much to do with his physical condition before his death. So anxious was [33] Memorial Addresses : Representative Finley he to succeed that he overtaxed his strength. So proud was he of his family and so solicitous of their welfare, happiness, and pleasure he drew too heavily upon his brain and body. He hardly knew his physical strength; consequently was oblivious to any limit to hu- man endurance. He talked freely to me occasionally, and on several occasions spoke so endearingly of his wife and of her sacrifices for him and the many things she had done to aid him in the success he had attained. He had a genuine father's pride in his boys and spoke of them as his " family regiment," and how proud he was of them and how happy he would be when they were all grown and settled in the world and became strong and useful men in life. He told me of his girls, and how tender, lov- ing, and obedient they were and how anxiously they awaited his return when separated from them, and how delighted they were over all his successes. To these, one and all, we tender our sincerest sympathy. I attended the last rites and ceremonies of our departed friend. It was gratifying to me to sec people from all the walks of life there to pay honor to the one in death whom they loved in life. As we followed the lifeless form ol" our colleague and friend to the quiet cemetery I was reminded of the heartaches of the bereaved family, how much they would miss him, but they can find solace in the knowl- edge of his goodness to them and of his never-ceasing de- votion to each and all of them — Wht'ii lliroiiKli tin- di-cp nvmUts I call tln'o to go. The rivers of woe sliall not tlu-i' o'crllow. For I will 1)1' with tluc. tiiv trouhlcs to hloss, And sanctify to thcc thy (Iccjjcst distress. We can not imdci'slMiid Ihc e aware of the peculiar attachnunt subsisting between the black man ol" the South and the white man of the South, especially those who knew one another in tiie days before the negro became a fri'e man. I never returned home but these simple, trusting negroes asked me much about " Marse Dave." and had I j)laced a $10 bill in the hand of eacli tluy would not have been lialf •101 Address of Mr. Goodwin, of Arkansas so happy as when I assured them of the very high rank and standing he had taken here. I only speak of this, Mr. Speaker, to show how broad and generous were his views. He had nothing of the narrow partisanship about his great soul, for while he doubtless was partial to his imme- diate section this never became evident in his public serv- ice, for he loved, indeed, the whole country and his was a national, an American spirit. If I were called upon to lay my finger upon the true elements of his greatness I believe without hesitation I would say his courage, his fidelity to friends, his unques- tioned faith in his Maker, and his love and passion for the right, his rare, overweening, consecrated love for his devoted and dutiful wife, and the almost reverential af- fection he bore for his children. I say I knew him fairly well for the length of service that I have seen in this House, and among all the membership here, except pos- sibly the delegation from my own State, no one received me so cordially as did David Finley when I first came to Washington, knowing that I knew many of his friends who had removed to my county. He was born in my State on the banks of the great Mississippi, in Phillips County, just above my district. Others have spoken of his serv- ice here, of his career at home as a lawyer, as a State legislator, as a friend, and as a neighbor, and of his con- spicuous public service here, and how the whole Nation has become his debtor. It was my privilege to be a mem- ber of the congressional delegation that went down to his home to pay the last tribute of respect to his mem- ory. No one who went down there upon that occasion, no one who attended those ceremonies, could go away without feeling that here was a man who had been tested at home along all lines and had never been found want- ing. Many thousands of people gathered upon the side- walk and upon the byways, as it was impossible for all [41] Memorial Addresses : Representative Finley to enter the little church. They stood there with bared heads and with weeping eyes, anxious to take part in the last sad ceremony. Many have spoken liere to-day of his rare courage. He did have rare courage, Mr. Speaker, rare independence, and while as a party man he was, 1 think, always regular, yet if there had come a time to decide between the edict of a party declaration and his unquestioned belief as to that edict being erroneous, he would have taken his stand by the side of his conscience, for he was rugged in char- acter, brave and fearless as a Numidian lion, and as courageous as Andrew Jackson. Once his mind was made up, he was as immovable as the rock of Gibraltar, and after all, Mr. Speaker, there is nothing like such a man; for, indeed, an honest man is the noblest work of God. Mr. Speaker, it is a serious thing to die, but an infinitely more serious thing to live. Dave Finley met the duties of life with a rare courage and fidelity. There was not the slighest trace of the demagogue in his whole make-up. He stood for principle. Man is a fleeting, evanescent atom thrown out into the universe. He serves his day and then is not. But principles originate in tlic councils of God, and, like Him, they are from everlasting to everlasting and arc immutable. And the man wlio comprehends life and defies those who would compel him to bend his strong will for temporary gain is, after all, a nobleman; and, alas, he becomes the exception and not the rule. Dave Finley died, no doubt, as he wished to have died — full of honor and with many years of (hstinguislied serv- ice to his ci(