154 L55 opv 1 ^ X /'''^^ MEMORIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE UPON THE DEATH OF HON. JOHN A. LEMON, LATE A SENATOR FROM THE THIRTY-FIFTH DISTRICT PENNSYLVANIA. CI.ARENCE M. BUSCH, STATE PRINTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. 1897. L 5S RESOLUTION. In the Senate, February 24, 1897. Resolved (if the House of Representatives concur), That fif- teen hundred copies of the memorial proceedings of the Senate upon the death of Hon. John A. Lemon, late a member of the Senate from the Thirty-fifth Senatorial District, be piinted and bound in cloth for the use of the Senate. E. W. SMILEY. Chief Clerk of the Senate. The foregoing resolution concui'red in March 1. 1897. JERE B. REX, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives. Approved— The 2d day of March, A. D.. 1897. D.\NIEL H. HASTINGS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE SENATE UPON THE DEATH OF HON. JOHN A. LEMON. In the Senate, Wednesday, Jannary 6, 1897. On motion of Senator Stineman, the following resolution was twice read, considered and agreed to: Whereas, Since the last session of the Legisla- ture it has pleased Almighty God, the dispenser of all things, to call from our midst the Hon. John A. Lemon, the member of this body from the Thirty-fifth Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Blair and Cambria; and Whereas, Senator Lemon was known in life as a dutiful son, an affectionate brother, a loving husband, an indulgent father, a charitable neigh- bor, a true friend, a patriotic citizen and an hon- est, capable and faithful public official; therefore, be it Kesolved, Tliat we heartily sympathize with the G Mt'inoriiil ResoInfions and AJJiesses. iiiiiiicdinic icIiiiiM'S ;iiiied with his fellow Senators; for his domestic virtnes ami linltils wliicli made lniuhi and lia])py liis home; for llit^ noble and L:,('nerons nature \\ liii li ])rom]>te(l 1o words of sym])at hy anoi-n and reared upon the top of the Alleglie- uies, his nature partook of the surroundings. IJugged in form, but gentle as a child, plain in manner and slow of speech. He never disap- pointed a friend or broke a promise. As in stat- ure he Avas massive, so in mind; his instincts were ahvays above the sordid or deceptive. He was essentially the architect and director of his own foiiuiic, and had he enjoyed the advantages of many, imagination alone can fix upon the limits of his success. A I'ennsylvanian by birth and res- idence, liis entire life was spent within her boi"- ders, and our fair Stale had no son who loved more dearly or sought more earnestly to serve her faithfully. Who does not recall him as he moved about, one of us, with a kind word for all, inca])a- ble of ott'ense. It seems but yesterday that we bade him good-by in the closing hours of the last session, and the kindly return of his greetings, ovei-tlowing with affection, will ever linger with us as one of those bright e])ochs that make life brighter and men better. In the (]uiet village cemeleiy his remains re- pose. 11 is presence amongst us is but a pleas- ant meinoiy. His genial smile, his hearty gras]) of the hand, his co-npeiatian with us, we will Hon. John A. Lemon. 13 ever clierisli as mementos upon which we love to dwell. In the fnll measnre of bis days he has been called to that higher life, and we are assured tbat in that House of many mansions, one whose life was spent in doing good, in generous acts, whose heart was ever open to tlie appeals of the unfortu- nate, will receive the reward of the Master, who has said "Inasmucb as ye have done it unto one of the least, of these ye liave done it unto me." Senator Grouse. Mr. President, it is fitting tbat I should add my tribute of respect to the memory of the late Senator John Lemon. When I first came into this Senate twenty-two years ago, I met Senator Lemon and served with him during the session of one tliousand eight hundred and sev- enty-five and one thouisiand eight hundred and sev- enty-six, and I remember on my return to this body in one thousand eight hundred and eighty- nin(^, how he grasped my hand and gave me a hearty welcome. I learned from my earliest ac- (juaintance with Senator Lemon not only to re- spect liiin, but I bore towards him a friendship that existed until liis death. As a Senator he was not given to much talking; that was an accomplishment he often told me he coubl not ac(iuir(\; nor did he seem to have any taste for it. His inHuence was felt and impres- sion made in that quiet and unostentatious man- ner that denotes more of a desire to have the deed efficiently done, than to have it heralded. Mr. President, Senator John Lemon was pos- sessed of many sterling traits of character, but those traits did not lie on the surface. He did 11 Mc'iHorid/ Resolutions and Addresses. not wc'Jir liis heart \\\)i)\\ his sU'cm- loi- wn. Mr. i'residenl, 1 rise in my place as a neighbor of the deceased, to contrilnite a word to his memory. I am not prompted to thns speak from a desire to be heard by those as- sembled in this chamber to-day, but from the deep convictions of my heart. Neither do I rise to speak, on this occasion, be- canse (d' my h)ng association willi the deceased in pnblic life, but IxM-ause of luy ]>rofound admira- tion for him as a uiau, a neighb(»r and a trne friend. Ivesiding, as I do, only a few miles from his former home, and in a town where members of Ins fauiily uow reside, I should consider myself , which was a leading (diaractcristic of his life. On more than one occasion I had o])i)ortn- nity to measui-e his syni[)athy and pass judgment npon his sujx'riority as a man. While others to- day have extolled his uiany virtues, and perhaps no memorial sci-vice was ever held in the Senate chamber that presented a more excellent charac- ter for enlogy and praise than his, T desire to call attenti(Mi simi)ly to those virtnes that made him the idol of his faniih^, the hero in adversity Hon. John A. Lemon. 17 and a successful leader of nieu. They were these three: A S3 mpathetic frieud of labor. lutegrity. Benevolence. That he paid the highest premium ui)on labor is proven by the fact that he himself wa^ a laborer. Of his many virtues, his love for the humble in life shone out as a rich diadem in his character. Prior to his entering public life I knew him as a contractor, and with hundreds of men in his em- ploy, he shared their hardships, joined them in storm and in sunshine and encouraged them to good behavior by his constant presence and sym- pathy. It is too common in this advanced age of ours, for the superintendents of labor to be arrogant, domineering and mean towards their employes. Our deceased brother taught the opposite of this principle and ruled his men with kindness in- stead of tyranny and with sympathy instead of censure. Many of the Senators in this chamber to-day, remember that sad eighteenth day of September, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, when all that was mortal of our fellow Senator was laid to rest. AVe remember when the funeral cor- tege passed through the streets of Ilollidaysburg, how the laborers from the shops, from the fac- tories and the farm, filled the streets and with bo\Aed heads and moistened eyes, remained uncov- ered until the long procession passed by. What 18 Meiiioiial Resolutions aiui AJJi esses. n(»I)lcr tribute could lie paid to tlu' nu'iuoiy ul" a mail? \\'lia( iiiiiiici- distiiKtiou to llic cliaractcr of t lie deceased (niilil have been shown than this? i iich' .l(»hii I.eiiion was a man (d" nnswervini;- inleuiity ani>or. lie showed us Heaven's sun shining every day on (|uiet honn^s. ]\rany there are to-day who can testify to sliaring in many a feast of love and kindness, anIiIcIi his generous and chaiilable na- tnre contiibiit ed towaids removing the shadows (d' their li\('s. Hon. John A. Lemon. 19 At \\w close of his ])eiu-et'ul careei-, wlieu the monster of lii<' lauiiuaiie all that can he uKered of the <-aieei- aud of the uoble dial a del- of one of t he most hi\ ahh- men uiio ever (H-euiiied a seal iu the Senate of i'euiisyh aula. I lieartily eudoi'se tlie resolutious. ^^euator Kauffmaii. Mr. Presicleut, the Senate lui'us asi(h' from its usual |»ublic duties that it may phice in its official record a tribute to the memory of a citizen who tilled liigh public stations for many years. I shall not undertake to describe the life aud ( haracter and services of Mr, John A. Lemou. I'ew men, very few men, ever possessed such will, such honesty, in one word, such man- hood. Our State rejoices that he was lu'r son. It is an honor to any man, it is an honor to ^Ir. John A. Lemon, to say, that in the Senate where sal so many brainy men ''he stood (Mpial in favor and in i>owei', iu ])arty control, and he fairly di- vided with them the power and responsibility of i»e])ubliean leadershij).'' There wei*e nuMi iu the Senate of commanding" eloquence and gi-eat jtower in debate, but ]Mi-. -bdin A, l^enion did lu^t excid in either id" these more atti-active lields. lie was a man of affairs — one of those clear headed, constructive and able busi- ness managers wlu)se ])ersistent industry, com- prehensive grasp of details and ]M)W('r to marshal them for practical results, made him invaluable in committee where legislation is i)erfected, and all important nu^asures are prepared. Tlu' people rarely know the debt they owe to the careful, iilod- diug, alei't Senators, who, ceaselesslv w(u-king in Hon. John A. Lemon. 21 committee rooms, with uo reporters to liertikl their achievements and no phice in the Legislative Kecord for their work, detect frauds, mould crud- ities into laws, and develop the hidden meaning and deep laid schemes of skillful and deceptive amendments, ascertain the needs of government, and devise the laws for meeting them. There are always two classes of Senators — the leaders who organize the forces, and by speeches profound or magnetic, give opinions to their party, and edu- cate the country to its views; and the able and conscientious committeeman and watchful mem- ber. Mr. Lemon was an ideal Senator of the second type, with some of the qualities of the first. He mastered his subject so thoroughly and under- stood so well the causes and effects of pending issues, that his calm and lucid statements made him upon tlie floor a strong ally and dangerous enemy. His touch and look conveyed, if he pleai-ed, such a world of interest and reg\u'd, that the recii:>ieut, without knowing why, felt honored by his confidence, and encircled by his friendship. We can all stand beside the grave of Mr. John A. Lemon and mourn the loss of one who, in his day and generation, acted so well his part as a private citizen and public officer, that the Comnuuiwealth and the country were enriched by his example, his character and his work. His virtues and ex- amples are wor-thy to be emulated by all citizens. His life has not been in vain. His march now on the eternal track of time is in our advance. He has joined, as we, too, must, the innumerable hosts of mankind yone before. 22 Mt'iiiorici/ Reso/i/fioiis and Addresses. Siuiic oil.- ii;is 1;( nnliriilly said, "The siiii scis in lliL' tar wcsi and we call il iii.i:lii. Tlic iii^lil lias come, bill I liroiiulioiil its hiiiu walrlics I he ^od (d' day tliioxNs back his r(d iiluciicc upon ilic stars, and his liuhl is ctcriia!."" It is so (d' a lile like that (d' Mr. doliii A. L(nion. They hcai- his body tn nu' Ihu.s early in my career as a member of your Intnorable body, a duty which T fe(d 1 am jHtoily (jualitied to disidiariic It is a duty of jmatitude and of jnstice from the constit- nents whom I re])resent, and from mys(df ]H'rson- ally to the menioiy of one \\(dl known to the mem- bers of the Senate and to the i>e(»]»le of the (Nmi- nionwealth — the late Senator John A. Lemon, my immediate and worthy ju-edeceSKSor. John A. Lemon was liorn at the Summit, Cam- bria county, Auiiust twenty-sixth, oiu' tlnmsand eiiiht Inindicd and twenty-seven. His death oc- curred at Ilollid lysluiiu, l*n., Se|»Iember six- Hon. John A. Lemon. 23 teeutli, one thousand eight hnndred and ninety- five, being in his sixty-ninth year. His great^ grandfather and great-grandmother on his pater- nal side, Neal Lemon and Margaret Lemon, were born in county Tyrone, Ireland, to whom were born one sou and two daughters. Their son John, grandfather of Senator Lemon, emigrated to the United States of America, locating in what is now Huntingdon county, Pa., where Samuel Lemon, the father of John A. Lemon, w^as born. Senator Lemon's mother was a daughter of Rob- ert INIoore, of Scotland, who also came to this country when a young man, and married Elizabeth Bell, of Manor Hill, Huntingdon county. Jean Moore was the maiden name of John A. Lemon's mother. Samuel Lemon, the father of Senator Lemon, a man well known to the early settlers of Cen- tral Pennsylvania as one of the most enterpris- ing and public spirited citizens, located at the Summit soon after his marriage, and actively en- gaged in the development of coal lands in that sec- tion of the State, where a seam of bituminous coal, the "Lemon Vein," is named in his honor. At the public schools of this place and adjoining towns Senator Lemon received his education. He mar- ried Barbara Walker, whose parents were born in Manheim, Germany, in Octo-ber, one thousand eight hundred and sixty. Early in life John A. Lemon embarked in busi- ness and soon won a reputation for honesty and aibility of which any man might well be proud; but the great and ennobling trait of his character 24 Memorial ResoIiifioii!< anJ AJJressrs. which iii;i»h' him I he favorite of the people aiitl whieii was in nficr vears the key of his marvelous sueeess in ]>o)iii(al life was his boundless geuer- osity, his uuassuniinii, unaffected and unostenta- tious eliaiity. This was the secret of his j^reat j)ersoiuil maunclisin, which, in i)o]itics, broke do\\n the hariicis of party lines ami I he domina- tion of parly bosses; for, do what they would, the leaders of the o](]»osition could not keep their fol- lowers from departiuji" from the time honored custom of voting the straight ticket, but instead they sn|»ported Seiuitor Lemon. During the inciinibcncv of General John W. (Jeary, as ('io\('iiior of this Commonwealth, which embrace(l the six years between the beginning of one thousand eight hiimlrcd and sixty-seven and one thonsaud eight hundred ami seventy-three, Senator Lemon rc^ceived from the former the ap- pointment of aid on his slafi'. In om* tlionsaml eight hundre\as honest and true, a friendshij) that will not be foi'iint ten while life and reason last. 1 doubt whether any member of this body en- joyed to as full an extent as did Senator Lemon the jiood will <»f all of his colleagues. Not one word was ever heard uttered by any of his asso- ciates that Avould imlicate anythinii else than that he was held in lii^li esteem by all. To all he was known by the familiar name of "Uncle John." As a legislator he was faithful and always kept close to the peo])le. The district lie represented is one in which llieic is a wide diversity of inter- ests, and to rei>iesent all fairly without suffering some inequality to fall npon one while seeking to secure the good of another, requires a thoughtful carefuhu^ss that only a few men are capable of exercising. How Avell he succeded in this is in- dicated by the number ui terms he was called by his ])eople to fill the place. His devotion to his constituents was ecpialled only by their confidence in his integrity. He knew no distinction between the high and the low, or the rich or the poor. To him all men of prf»])er conduct Avere equal, and his heart ami hand Avere ever open to the suffering and nnfoi-tnnate. With the business capacity he possessed he Hon. John A. Lemon. 29 might have been, had he been less generous, a rich man, but it is said of him by those wlio Ivuew him best, that there was never a time wlien he was not ready to divide liis hist dollar with a needy brother. The esteem in which he was held by the people of the community in which hp lived was attested by the fact that those of us who attended his funeral found every place of business in the city closed and the whole city draped in mourning. In his political aspirations he was alw^ays suc- cessful, because his success did not depend upon political manipulations, Avhich may succeed or fail, but the people were with him, and no polit- ical opponent was ever able to overcome the loy- alty to their friend and favorite. 1 remember engaging in conversation, about a year before his death, with a gentleman from his own county concerning his remarkably successful career, and he said to me that although he did not belong to the same political party to which Senator Lemon belonged, lie iiad always supported him every time he had been a candidate. "I learned to know and love him," said he, "when I was a boy, and can remember acts of kindness he performed for my father, who was a ])oor man, when I was a. child." It ^A'as not my privilege to know Senator Lemon in his home, but he frequently spoke to me of his family and always in such a way as to satisfy me of his devotion to those to whom he bore the sacred relation of husband and father. Our hearts go out in sympathy to the inmates of that 30 Memorial Resolutions and Addresses. h(»iii(' t«i-(l:iv. I (1(» not ciiNv iIk' stoicism or in- dilTcrciicc of ilic iii.Mii wiio (Iocs not )iio\ii-ii with those w ho iiioiini, or who cannot niiiiiih' his tcais with llu' icais (»!' ilmsc who weep, and so, with those who knew niv (h'pailed fiicinl the best; anil h»\('il him most, I Itow niv head in sor- row and wait for the i-eveiation oT that (hiy when the itilui-imauc of time sliall ch»se; when all the ]f the many tiaits of his most noble eliaractei- wcic his (iniet, tinasstiming manner, his gentle dis|.osit ion, Iiis kindiu'ss of heart and his kind wofds and aev, without the help that comes from stroiii; |»ersonal friendship, polit- ical ]»resti_iii' and ])ractical exi»erience in matters of leiiislation. Tiie kindness and courtesy that was then so Licneroiisly uixcii me by onr departed friend and brother, as w(dl as by every other mem- ber of tliat body, will linj^cr in my memory so loiiii as that memory shall last, lie had loiiii ex- p(M-ieiice in ]»ublic life, and lo his constituents he was always faithful and true. ()!' his liiiiher relat ionshi]>s, as husband and father, 1 know not of, and, therefore, cannot sjieak. If he had faults 1 knew tlu'iii not, but \ reeii-eyed luonslers, jealousy and en\y, looke(l not out from his heart. \or did his affe*-- liiui lor I'lieiids lind its orii^in in coiisciruis weak- Hon. John A. Lemon. a3 uess and depeudciue. It was latlier the impulse of a heart as gentle as it was brave, as noble as it was fearless and true. His bearing among men was a most admirable commingling of unassum- ing modesty and knightly courtesy, while his kindly smile, the sunshine from his soul, and the frank, cordial manner of his address carried a mesmeric influence to all with whom he came in contact, and won for him the friendship and con- fidence of all who knew him. He realized that the great touchstone of life, human happiness, is found alone in the happiness of others. As a legislator he was broad, liberal and pro- gres'sive. Hence it is that this great State through its representatives takes such pride in recounting his virtues and perpetuating their nlemor3^ Comfort and consolation for the sorrowing fam- ily we offer here to-day from sympathizing hearts. We cannot dry the tears from their eyes, but the kindly words so sincerely offered will shine througli tliem and picture on their future skies a rainbow of hope and promise for many a bright- ening day. The sorrow that has enshrouded their hearts since his death, and darkens their happy hours, broadens and deepens to-day into a State's sorrow. The extremes of our grand Commonwealth touched with grief come with flowers redolent of richest perfume. From the cultivated gardens of the East and the wilds of the West, I beg leave, as . the humble representative from the extreme Southwest, to place upon his bier a single flower, bedewed with tears of sympathy, breathing fra- 8 3-4 Memorial Kesoliitiojis diui AJJiesses. liraiicc I'l-csli riuiii till- loltv iii(tiiiil;iiiis (if l-'nvclte ;lli(l 1 lie \('l-(l;ilil li i 1 Is of in v ttwii li;H i \ c ( J rccllc. Let US liopc iiinl liiisl tli:i( when his hri<;lit liis- ti teni]M)re, Mr. McC'arrell. The Chairs hei^s leave to record his rei:ard for the late Senator \'\<)\\\ Illair. I add my tesiiuKtuy to that of my colleaiiiies to the cordial i;reeting- and the generous manner with whiih he always met a newcomer into the Senat<' chandler. 1 heartily endorse all that has been said in reiiard to him, and I fe(d sure that the recording ang(d who takes note of the motives and conduct of men in this lif(^ will hasten to write after the name of '^Tncle John Lemon" "he htxcd his fellow man."" The (|uestion is ujion the adoption of the reso- lution. Senator (lohiu. ^Ir. rresident, I call for tlie yeas and nays. Senator ( 'rouse. Mi-. T resident, 1 second the call. 'I'lie President pi-o tenii)ore. The yeas and nays lia\ing l)eeii duly called foi', the Clerk will proceed with t he call. YEAS. ^Messrs. Andr<'ws, liecker. Brown (Lawrence), lirown (IMnlad(d])liia), P>rown (Westmoreland), Chisolm, Critchliehl, ( 'rouse, Gobin, Haines, Hard- eid>ergli, Ileitzler, IhiinuK 1, Kauffman, Mc()uown, Hon. John A. Lemon. 35 Meredith, Merrick, Miller, Mitchell (Jefferson), Mover, McCarrell, Osbourn, Saylor, Scott, Shortt, Sproiil, Stiles, StinemaD, Thomas, Vare, Vaughan, Walton and White— 33. NATS. None. APSENT AND NOT VOTING. Messrs. Cochran, Coyle, Crawford, Durham, Eby, Flinn, Gibson, Grady, Heller, Hyde, Ken- nedy, Losch, Magee, Milleisen, Mitchell (Brad- ford), Eowland and Snyder — 17. So the question was determined in the afSrma- tive. MEMORIAL PROCEEDINGS TO BE PRINTED. On leave given at this time Senator Stiles of- fered the following resolution: The resolution was read by the Clerk as follows: Eesolved (if the House concur), That five hun- dred copies of the memorial proceedings of the Senate upon the death of John A. Lemon, late member of the Senate for. the Thirty-fifth Sena- torial district, be printed and bound in cloth fcir the use of the Senate. Senator Mc(^i()wn. Mr. President, I desire to amend the resolution by making it one thou- sand five hundred copies instead of five hundred copies. no LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 014 209 476 9 Afemoricil Resolutions and Addresses. J lie (jiiostion beiiij;, \\ ill \\\i} Senate ai>Tee to the ameiKlnient? it was ai>re(Hl to. The (juetitiou then beinj:;, Will the Seriate a,i>Tee to the resolution as amended? It was nnaniniouslj agreed to. ADJOURNMENT. The President pro tempore. The business for which this special session was called having been coiiclndcd the Senate stands adjr)nrned until to-nioirow niornini>- at eleven o'clock. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ll llll 014 209 476 9 ♦ Hollinger Corp. pH 8.5