E 664 ■149 U5 Copy 2 \ Class i!.(^ 64^ Co-Um. 'i 6STH CONCRBSSl '7ds"e7^"i HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES {°No™1?'' ■.^., ici .^■■^., IVB- i')!-1 JACOB EDWIN MEEKER (Late a Congressman from Missouri) MEMORIAL ADDRESSES DELIVERED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES SIXTY-FIFTH CONGRESS THIRD SESSION Proceedings in the House February 2, 1919 Proceedings in the Senate October 17, 1918 PREPARED UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRINTING 2^o^n.LHz^J WASHINGTON 1920 I ' HON -JACOB E.MEEKER DEATH OF HON. JACOB EDWIN MEEKER Proceedings in the House of Representatives Wednesday, October 16, 1918. Mr. Igoe. Mr. Speaker, it is with great regret that I rise to announce the death of our colleague, Hon. Jacob Edwin Meeker, of Missouri, who died early this morning at St. Louis. At some future time I shall ask the House to set aside a day upon which his colleagues may address the House upon his life and character. I now offer the fol- lowing resolution. The Speaker. The Clerk will report it. The Clerk read as follows : House resolution 445 Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow of the death of Hon. Jacob Edwin Meeker, a Representative from the State of Missouri. Resolved, That a committee of 20 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. The resolution was agreed to; and the Speaker an- nounced as the committee on the part of the House Mr. [5] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker Rucker, Mr. Shackleford, Mr. Russell, Mr. Borland, Mr. Booher, Mr. Alexander, Mr. Hamlin, Mr. Dickinson, Mr. Rubey, Mr. Hensley, Mr. Igoe, Mr. Decker, Mr. Romjue, Mr. Clark of Missouri, Mr. Dyer, Mr. Rodenberg, Mr. Knut- son, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Purnell, and Mr. Miller of Washing- ton. Mr. Igoe. Mr. Speaker, I offer the following resolution. The Speaker. The Clerk will report it. The Clerk read as follows : Resolved, That as a further mark of respect this House do now adjourn. The motion was agreed to; accordingly (at 4 o'clock and 35 minutes p. m.) the House adjourned until to-mor- row, Thursday, October 17, 1918, at 12 o'clock noon. Thursday, October i7, 1918. The Chaplain, Rev. Henry N. Couden, D. D., offered the following prayer: Eternal God, whom we have been taught to worship as Father, we bless Thee for the rich and varied endowments of mind and soul which constitute us progressive beings, lifting us to clearer visions of Thee and the laws which environ us and hast made character the supreme test. Make us strong in our convictions, pure in our desires, and thus lead us onward and upward to a closer relation- ship with Thee. Again, God, our Heavenly Father, are we reminded of the brief tenure of this life by the sudden and unexpected death of a Member of this legislative bod}'. Strengthen our faith and that of his friends and admirers, especially those to whom he was nearest and dearest, in the larger life to which he has been called and to [6] Proceedings in the House which we are all rapidly tending, and fit us for the inev- itable change. It lies around us like a cloud, A world we do not see; Yet the sweet closing of an eye May bring us there to be. Sweet hearts around us throb and beat, Sweet helping hands are stirred. And palpitates the veil between With breathings almost heard. Amen. Friday, October 18, 1918. 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 profound sorrow the announcement of the death of Hon. Jacob Edwin Meeker, late a Representative from the State of Missouri. Resolved, That a committee of 10 Senators be appointed by the Vice President, to join the committee appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to attend the funeral of the deceased. Resolved, That the Secretary communicate a copy of these reso- lutions to the House of Representatives. Resolved, That as a further mark of respect to the memory of the deceased the Senate do now adjourn. And that under the second resolution the Presiding Officer had appointed as the committee on the part of the Senate Mr. Reed, Mr. Wilfley, Mr. Watson, Mr. Suth- erland, Mr. New, Mr. Kenyon, Mr. Harding, Mr. Beckham, Mr. Kirby, and Mr. Curtis. Friday, December 27, 1918. Mr. RucKER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that Sunday, February 2, 1919, be set aside for memorial [7] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker addresses on the life, character, and public services of the late Senator William Joel Stone, of Missouri, and the late Representative Jacob Edwin Meeker, of Missouri. The Speaker. The gentleman from Missouri asks unan- imous consent that Sunday, February 2, 1919, be set aside for memoralizing the late Senator Stone and the late Representative Meeker, both from the State of Missouri. Is there objection? There was no objection. Sunday, February 2, 1919. The House met at 12 o'clock noon. The Chaplain, Rev. Henry N. Couden, D. D., offered the following prayer : Eternal God, Author of the Universe, Father of all souls, in the midst of the impenetrable mysteries which sur- round us, we come with profound faith, eternal hope, that in Thy wisdom, power, and goodness we shall be exalted, ennobled, glorified, in Thine own good time. Let Thy richest blessings descend upon us now as we gather here to give expression to the worth of the men who were dignified by the people and made Members of the Congress of the United States. What they did to glorify a Nation of freemen will live and be a blessing to future generations. Let Thy loving arms be about their dear ones to com- fort and sustain them in this hour of trial. Give them a vision of the larger life and help them to look forward to a reunion with their dear ones in a realm where mysteries shall be dissolved and the brightest hopes realized in the dispensation of Thy providence. Through Him who died, that we might live. Amen. The Speaker. The Clerk will read the Journal. [8] Proceedings in the House Mr. RucKER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the reading of the Journal may be dispensed with until to-morrow. The Speaker. The gentleman from Missouri asks unani- mous consent that the reading of the Journal be dispensed with until to-morrow. Is there objection? [After a pause.] The Chair hears none. The Clerk will report the special order for to-day. The Clerk read as follows : Ordered, That Sunday, February 2, 1919, be set apart for ad- dresses upon the life, character, and public services of Hon. Wil- liam J. Stone, late a Senator from the State of Missouri, and the Hon. Jacob E. Meeker, late a Member of this House from the State of Missouri. Mr. Rucker. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent for the present consideration of the resolutions which I send to the Clerk's desk. The Speaker. The Clerk will report the resolutions. The Clerk read as follows : Resolved, That the business of the House be now suspended, that opportunity may be given for tributes to the memory of Hon. William J. Stone, late a Senator of the United States from the State of Missouri, and the Hon. Jacob E. Meeker, late a Member of this House from the State of Missouri. Resolved, That as a particular mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, and in recognition of their distinguished public careers, the House, at the conclusion of the exercises of this day, shall stand adjourned. Resolved, That the Clerk communicate these resolutions to the Senate. Resolved, That the Clerk send a copy of these resolutions to the families of the deceased. The resolutions were unanimously agreed to. Mr. Igoe took the chair. [9] MEMORIAL ADDRESSES Address of Mr. Clark, of Missouri Mr. Speaker : It is rare that any State memorializes two congressional sons at one time. Such, however, is Mis- souri's sad case this day. I have spoken somewhat elabo- rately touching the life and character of Senator Stone. Now I pay a brief tribute to our fellow Representative, Dr. Jacob E. Meeker. Stone was a veteran statesman, of long and conspicuous service, verging close on the psalm- ist's allotment of threescore and ten, while Dr. Meeker was a comparatively new Member, in the last half of liis second term in the House. The chances are that had he lived he would have had a long and conspicuous career. That district kept his immediate predecessor in the House, Dr. Richard Bartholdt, here for nearly a quarter of a cen- tur5% and probably would have done equally well by Dr. Meeker, as he appeared to have a strong hold on the con- fidence and affection of his constituents. Senator Stone had been for years in delicate health, while Dr. Meeker was an exceedingly robust man in the verj' prime of life. He was a strong, energetic, capable, courageous man, of splendid mentality and fine scholarship. He was a force- ful speaker, his first efforts in that regard being in the pulpit. He was a ready debater, and was rapidly fighting his way into the front rank. I have no sort of doubt that had his life been spared and had his service here been extended he would have attained eminence in this body. His death was a surprise to all who knew him, as he had not attained his meridian and seemed destined for length of days. [11] Address of Mr. Dyer, of Missouri Mr. Speaker: As has been said by my colleague, we meet to-day not only to pay tribute to the life and public service of our deceased Senator but we meet also under an order of this House to pay tribute to one of our col- leagues from Missouri in this House, the late Jacob E. Meeker. Jacob E. Meeker was born on a farm in Fountain County, Ind., October 7, 1878. He was the second son of T. M. and Julia McKnight Meeker. He graduated from the public schools in 1894 and entered the academy at the Union Christian College at Merom, Ind., the same year. After completing the preparatory course in the academy he entered the college, graduating from that institution in 1900. He was married on the day of his graduation, and was the father of four children. He entered Oberlin Theological Seminary in 1900 and did one year's work. He returned to the farm in Indiana in 1901, and for the next year farmed and preached in country churches. In 1902 he returned to Oberlin and graduated from the Oberlin Theological Seminary with the class of 1904. In western Indiana he was known as the bo}^ preacher, having had a regular pastorate before he was of age. Following his graduation, he located at Eldon, Mo., under the appointment of the Congregational Home Mis- sionary Society. He remained at Eldon for two years, organizing Sunday schools ,and developing Congrega- tional Church work in that section. In 1906 he came to St. Louis to take charge of the Compton Hill Congrega- tional Church. He remained there as pastor until 1912, [12] Address of Mr. Dyer, of Missouri when he resigned to complete his law studies. He was admitted to the bar January 6, 1914. He had been active in politics since boyhood, his father having been one of the leading Republicans of Indiana for many years. In 1914 he became a candidate for Congress and was elected to the Sixty-fourth and reelected to the Sixty-fifth, win- ning in the second contest by a majority of more than 20,000. He was nominated by a large majority in the August primaries to the Sixty-sixth Congress, but passed away before the election. During all the years of his ministry he was a live participant in the political and sociological affairs of his community. Instead of holding the old-fashioned " re- vival " meetings, he conducted in his church and else- where series of popular Bible studies. He maintained his church study in a down-town office building and was daily found in the hospitals, the juvenile and police courts, and the eleemosj'nary institutions. He established a national reputation for himself because of two things he has done. He has fought prohibition with all of his might and he has opposed the entrance of the church into politics. While in the pulpit he steadfastly refused to convert his church into a political club or to air his par- tisan views on political questions, and in the field of poli- tics he has consistently refused to be swayed by religious or sect prejudice. Mr. Meeker, like Senator Stone, whom I alluded to a moment ago, was a man of forceful ideas, and, by reason of the strong position that he took upon public questions, had his intense enemies in public life. It was my privi- lege to first know Jacob E. Meeker about 11 years ago or so, when he came to make his home in the city of St. Louis. He located in that section of the city where I had my home. He was a neighbor of mine, and he came there to take charge of a church located in my neighborhood. [13] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker That was in about the year 1906. He became the pastor of a church there, and not only the members of the con- gregation of that church but the citizens generally of that neighborhood — I was one of them, not being one of them who worshiped with that congregation — had their attention directed to the fact that they had in that church a young man of energy and a young man of intellect. Many of us from time to time went to that church to hear this new preacher. We all liked him. He began immediately to take an interest in affairs in the neigh- borhood. He helped to organize in his church a civic organization of that neighborhood of which I was a mem- ber. It had for its purpose and its object the betterment of conditions of the people generally in that section of the city. He was forceful, keen of intellect, a splendid man, and a splendid pastor of his church. His church grew in influ- ence, grew in power, and grew in good. He was a man who, as I have said, would not, because of his peculiar make-up and energy, allow himself to be confined wholly in the work to which he was specially called. He felt that he should get out and lake an interest in things that affected the people generally, and from time to time he became active in those matters, and out of his active interest in those matters grew his entrance into politics. People felt and believed that he could render especially good service in public office. They began to talk of him for public office while he was pastor of the church. Mr. Meeker resigned the pastorate of his church and returned to his home in Indiana whence he had come. When he went to Indiana it was my belief and under- standing that he had gone there to make that his home. I do not believe that he had any idea or thought of running for public office; but a situation grew up in the city of St. Louis, in the tenth congressional district, where [14] Address of Mr. Dyer, of Missouri the gentleman who had been representing that district here for so long, Hon. Richard Bartholdt, had issued a statement in which he said he would not be a candidate for renomination and reelection. As it is in all districts when the older Member retires, several new men aspired to this office, and factions of the party in control often have candidates. One of the factions of the party in this district urgently sent for and wrote letters to Mr. Meeker urging him to come back and become a candidate for Congress in this district. Mr. Meeker returned and became a candidate, was nominated and elected, was again renominated and elected, was again renominated, and, had not death called him, would have been again reelected by the usual majority in that district of some 24,000 or 25,000. We mourn his going because he had given evidence of his efficiency as a public servant; he had given evidence of his ability to represent the people in tliis House. He was a young man, only some 40 years of age, when death claimed him. A great opportunity lay before him, and I, as his friend for many years and his acquaintance and well-wisher since he came to our city, in 1906, sincerely regret his going. The people of St. Louis, a large part of whom he represented here, mourn his loss. He was a good and efficient public serv- ant, and we will miss him sadly. [15] Address of Mr. Essen, of Missouri Mr. Speaker: On an occasion like this, when we come to speak a tribute to the memory of a distinguished friend such as the one in whose honor we meet to-day, words are too weak to give adequate meaning to our feelings of ap- preciation. The suddenness in which the earthly life of our friend was ended, the large place he had filled in the councils of the Nation, the great opportunity in public life afforded to one of his ability, all combined, make his death a distinct national loss. The people of the tenth congressional district, whom he loved to honor and to whose best interests he was so greatly devoted, showed this appreciation of his ability and public service by the splendid vote of confidence given him whenever they had a chance to show it. The people of the sovereign State of Missouri found in him a courage and capacity well cal- culated at times like these to defend the rights of her people, boldly and without apologj', regardless of the taunts of foes or the applause of friends. The Nation saw in him one of the defenders of her honor whose voice was heard in unmistakable tones, as upon the floor of the Chamber of the House of Representa- tives he hurled defiance at German autocracy, the arch- enemy of mankind, and called upon the Nation to resent the insults to her honor and fight for the preservation of her life. Mr. Meeker was one of the men who stood out boldly, demanding the defense of our national honor at all times. It will be remembered how, when Mexican outlaws were crossing our borders and burning our property and mur- dering our citizens, he demanded a decisive policy. In clarion tones he denounced these insults to our sover- eignty and called upon the Congress to authorize the President to employ the necessary force to compel a [16] Address of Mr. Essen, of Missouri recognition of our honor. Those of his colleagues who sat with him in this Chamber well remember his de- nunciations of what appeared to be a noncommittal policy which seemed spineless at times. His powerful attacks against allowing Mexico to purchase munitions which were afterwards employed against our own people will not be forgotten. When Germany began the submarine warfare and attacked, by torpedo, the dishing, the Gulflighf, and finally committed the open murder in the sinking of the Lusitania, Mr. Meeker was one of the Members of Con- gress who openlj' declared it to be our duty to imme- diately put the Nation in order to defend itself. He per- sisted in the assertion that a decisive policy on the part of our Government would bring Germany to her senses. He deplored the seeming effort on the part of many which tended to convince Germany that we could not be made to fight. On the other hand, he persisted in liis belief and assertion that decisive action would either pre- vent war at all, or, in case it did not, the war must have been much shorter and much less destructive of life and property. When at last the war resolution was before the Con- gress his was the voice that rang out in clarion notes that sounded the sense of national duty. After the declaration of war and the plan for building an army was before the country he was one of the first to espouse the selective draft as the rational method in a democratic country. Although a strict party man and partisan in a pro- nounced sense, he never allowed a partisan spirit to inter- fere with his duty to the country. Differing widely from the President and the leaders of the majority on party policies, yet in the matters of war he was among the ranks of Republicans who pushed to the very front all war measures designed to speed up the war program. 116941°— 20 2 [17] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker His criticism was constructive and justified by his readi- ness to both suggest remedies and accept tliem when suggested by others. In this great war Congress, whose duties and responsi- bilities were greater than any Congress since the days of the great Civil War, he occupied a Iiigli rank. So far as I know he stood for every constructive measure proposed. Mr. Meeker did not agree with the majority of the Members upon some nonpartisan domestic questions. Whatever disagreements were experienced, he always displayed a fearlessness in his attack and in his advocacy. He was found voting with the majority of the Members on many questions, but he was never afraid to be counted with the minority vote. At times when the public seemed swept off its feet with waves of enthusiasm, when it would be easy to go with the majority, he has stood like adamant for what he believed to be the correct position, though it provoked opposition and at times derision from those opposed to him. He never believed that popularity of an issue was of itself a conclusive argument of its wisdom. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Meeker, my predecessor in this body, had what might be called a stormy life. He had his stanch friends and some enemies. But who has not both? He who has no friends is helpless and he who has no enemies is hopeless. To-day wc pause to note his contribution to the service of his country. It is but little wc can here do, and what we say may soon be forgotten; but I wish to pay this slight tribute to his memory in the name of the people of the tenth Missouri congressional district, which he so notably represented and which I now have the honor to represent. Could I in my stay here be as effective on the part of my legislative duty as he endeavored to be, I would feel quite content. [18] Address of Mr. Pcrnell, of Indiana Mr. Speaker: Death is a strange and mysterious thing. I have often wondered why the great unseen power that is responsible for life itself could not stay the terrible sting of death and spare the heartaches that follow in its wake. It is rarely a welcome guest. I have seen it pass, unnoticing, the house of an afflicted soul tossing upon a bed of pain praying for the relief that only death can bring. I have seen it reach its long tentacled Angers into a newly made home and take from the breast of a loving mother the joy and hope of her life. I have seen it rob the home of him to whom innocent and helpless children have looked for food, leaving them destitute and in want. I have seen it take the mother whose unselfish devotion and watcliful care would have been the guiding star through life of a son and turn him into the street to fight an unequal battle with life, only to lose in the end because of her loss. I have seen it take from the seats of the mighty those who could have shaped the destiny of a nation. I have seen the old, the helpless, the neglected, the life-weary pray for it and it would not come. The death of our friend and colleague affords a most striking example of the uncertainty of life. If any one of us had scanned the roster of this House venturing to name he who would be the next to answer the final sum- mons, I dare say the name of Jacob E. Meeker, strong in vigorous manhood and standing at the very threshold of life, would have entered none of our minds. To me his death was a great personal loss. When I came to Congress two years ago as a Member of this body he neglected his own duties in an endeavor to familiarize me with the innumerable details of the routine which [19] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meebler everj' new Member must necessarily learn. In doing this, Jacob E. Meeker was prompted in no small degree by the recollection of our early boyhood associations, having grown up in the same county with me and within a few miles of each other. His home was my home, his country my countrj', his people my people, and though he went away when he grew to manhood he always regarded Fountain County, Ind., as his home. The old farm upon which he was reared, and the father and mother whose pride he was, were always there to welcome him. It was ver>' fitting, and I am quite sure in keeping with his wishes, that he was laid to rest in the quiet country churchyard that lies within sight of his boyhood home. Jacob Meeker came from one of the old and honored families of our county. His father was numbered among the most influential and highly respected citizens of our Commonwealth. His dear, old mother, who lives to mourn his loss, is all that the word " mother " implies. Whatever success he attained was due in a large meas- ure to her strong impress upon him. It was not alone that we grew up together and came from the same county that he put himself out for me. It was characteristic of the man. No bigger-hearted man ever sat in this Cham- ber than Jacob Meeker. He was true to his friends and loyal to every trust. He was firm in his convictions, and dared to fight for that in wliich he believed, even though it entailed a bitter encounter with his dearest friend. It is but fair to his memorj' to say, however, that the bitter- ness ended with the debate. I did not always agree with him, but I never failed to admire his courage and ability. This House has lost a valuable Member, his constituents one whose constant de- sire was to serve them, and the country a servant who was always jealous of its honor. [20] Address of Mr. Rubey, of Missouri Mr. Speaker: The House of Representatives meets to- day to pay respect not only to the memory of a Missouri Senator but to a Member of the House of Representatives as well— Hon. Jacob E. Meeker, of the tenth district of Missouri. That there is nothing more uncertain than life nor more certain than death is illustrated in the case of Dr. Meeker. I saw him just a few days before his death, the very picture of health — hale, hearty, and robust — and yet in just a little while there came flashing over the wires the sad news of his death. I did not know him well; I had never met him until he came to take his seat in this body in December, 1915. He very soon impressed me as a man not only of marked ability but a man of very decided views — one who had opinions of his own and was not afraid to express them. He was a fluent and forceful speaker and almost at once took rank as one of the best debaters in the House. A native of Indiana, his body was taken back there for burial and was laid to rest in the country churchyard in the neighborhood where he was born and where he had spent the greater part of his life. Dr. Meeker died in St. Louis and the congressional com- mittee met the funeral party at Attica, Ind. The funeral ceremonies took place some 12 or 15 miles from there, in a beautiful country church near the old Meeker home- stead. On the way out we passed through the most won- derful farming country I have ever seen. Detouring a few miles from the direct road, we were taken by the farm and had pointed out to us the large, spacious farm- house where Dr. Meeker was born. It was an ideal coun- [21] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker try home, situated in the very center of a tract of some two or three thousand acres of the very best land that can be found in the State of Indiana. I vi^as impressed with the prosperity which was in evidence on every hand — splendid, well-kept homes, fine barns, excellent rock roads — all going to show that the people were thrifty and well-to-do. The people came in great numbers to pay their respects to one who had formerly made his home with them, who had gone to a distant State where he had won honor and distinction, and who at his own request was to be buried among them. The church was crowded even beyond its capacity. The casket was surrounded by flowers in great abundance, tokens of affection and esteem from friends and loved ones. After an impressive sermon by the pastor. Representative L. C. Dyer, of Missouri, on behalf of the congressional party, delivered an address in which he spoke eloquently and feelingly of our departed col- league. In the beautiful ccmeteiy adjoining the church, near the home of his childhood, among old-time friends and neighbors, we laid to rest all that is mortal of Jacob E. Meeker, who, although comparatively a young man, had, by his zeal, cnergj', and determination, won for him- self high political honors and a lasting place in the esteem and affections of all who knew him well. [22] Address of Mr. Igoe, of Missouri Mr. Speaker : We meet to-day to paj' tribute to another deceased colleague of ours, Mr. Meeker, who served in this House from the tenth district of Missouri. I knew Mr. Meeker for many years, and became quite intimately acquainted with him during our service together in this House. He had taken a prominent part in the discussion of public affairs in St. Louis prior to his election to Con- gress, and after he arrived here he became one of the hardest working Members of this House. The district that he represented contains almost 500.000 people. Those of us who represent districts containing 200,000 and 250,- 000 people know how much woi'k devolves upon us, and 1 know from my visits to him that he was engaged day and night attending to the work of the constituency that he represented. He was a man of ability, and he stood bj' his convictions, and, whether it was in his own part}' or with another party, he made a fight for what he be- lieved to be right. I recall very well the time the declara- tion of war was being voted upon Mr. Meeker was at that time very ill and unable to be here, and he sent word that if his vote was needed he wanted to be sent for and brought here to vote for the declaration of war. He might well have allowed the matter to go, because everj'one knew that he was desperately ill, but he wished that record made. And just a daj' or two before his death I received a telegram from him stating that he wanted to be recorded as supporting the last war meas- ure which was voted upon before his death, the great appropriation for carrying on the war. Mr. Meeker was a hard-working, conscientious Repi*esentative. He dif- [23] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker fered radically and greatly with many Members of the House and with many people in St. Louis, and yet he was returned here by his people by a tremendous majority, and, as stated by the Speaker, I believe he could have continued to represent them in this House for many years. There were, as in the case of the distinguished Senator of whom we spoke, many who differed radically with him, but I think that all will concede that Mr. Meeker was a man of ability, forcefulness, energy, and, above all things, anxious to render genuine public service to his people. [24] Address of Mr. Knutson, of Minnesota Mr. Speaker: Soon after coming to Congress in the Sixty-fifth Congress I had the privilege of meeting the late Congressman Jacob E. Meeker, of Missouri. He was a member of the important Committee on Immigration and Naturalization, and, as I was assigned to the body, the opportunity to become acquainted with him was offered me. I early became impressed with his vigor, his honesty, and his integrity. He was in many ways a wonderful man. His outstanding characteristics were mental honesty and fearlessness. He never tried to de- ceive himself, and his absolute fearlessness and honesty were proverbial. I was attracted to him by his sound reasoning power and his industry, and it is no exaggera- tion to say that he was easily one of the strong men of that important committee. I did not always agree with Mr. Meeker's views — in fact, we often disagreed — but never for a moment did I ever doubt his honesty and sin- cerity. He used force and logic rather than diplomacy and intrigue in achieving his end. When he spoke he always had a message well worth hearing, and therefore always commanded attention when he rose to address the House. A Hoosicr by birth, it was natural that he should go into politics. Born on the " banks of the Wa- bash," he came of good, honest stock. While in attend- ance at his funeral, which was held at Attica, Ind., it M'as my proud privilege to meet his dear old mother, and after having met her I could readily understand that he had inherited from her many of his strong characteristics. She is one of that splendid type of American womanhood who stood shoulder to shoulder with their pioneer hus- [25] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker bands and did their full share in transforming a vast empire from a wilderness into a Garden of Eden. Mr. Meeker was a worthy son of a splendid American mother. We miss Mr. Meeker on the floor of this House. In his death the country lost one whom we would have looked to to help pilot the ship of state through the perilous waters we are now navigating. His wise counsel would have been of great value in these troublous times. The need for strong men with positive convictions is greater to-day than ever before in the history of the Republic. He sleeps peacefully on the "banks of the Wabash"; for him life's fitful fever is o'er, but his memory lingers. Peace to his ashes! [26] Address of Mr. Decker, of Missouri Mr. Speaker: I find it in my heart to say a word rela- tive, first, to our colleague from Missouri, Mr. Meeker. I did not know him well in life, and it would not be appropriate for me to speak with authority as to his per- sonal character and from the standpoint of an intimate friend. We differed radically, he and I. He was a Republican and 1 am a Democrat. I am a prohibitionist and he was not. But whatever he advocated he advocated with all his force and without fear. I have tried to do the same as to the things in which I believe. And for this reason my late colleague, Mr. Meeker, of Missouri, commanded my respect. As to his ability, it was unquestioned, not only from the work which he did in this House but upon the platform throughout Missouri advocating the things for which he stood. There is a characteristic relative to Mr. Meeker with which I am familiar. 1 feel that only justice to him com- mands that I should speak. Mr. Meeker was at one time a minister of the Gospel, but in spite of that he claimed the right and exercised the right to speak against prohibi- tion. This brought down upon his head a storm of pro- test and a storm of opposition that was great. I for one wish to say that I acknowledged his right to do this, though prohibitionist I have been from my cradle and expect to be to my grave. Prohibition never was and never will be a religious question. I always acknowledged the right of Mr. Meeker to speak as a minister of the Gospel, as a lawyer, and as a Congressman against the principles in which I believed as to prohibition. [27] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker I knew his viewpoint on this, because I had the pleas- ure of talking with him about it from St. Louis to Wash- ington all one afternoon, and I gathered from him the thing that consumed his mind and heart. It was not so much the question of drinking liquor; it was his opposi- tion to the idea of substituting religious dogma for reason. He denied the right of any church to tell him how he should vote on any proposition. In this he was right. I have always believed that men have weakened the pro- hibition cause by trying to make it a tenet of Christianity. It is an economic and a political question. I did not agree with Mr. Meeker as to his position on prohibition, but I always respected his ability, and I reserved to him the right to speak his sentiments, the same right that I claim for myself. I am glad of one thing, that shortly after the controversy which, as you remember, he and I had in the House, though neither of us recanted our views or withdrew anything we said as to the principles for which we stood, yet we spoke and parted as good friends. And it was with pain, it was with deep regret, that a few days later I received the news, at Joplin, that my colleague had passed on to " the undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns." I am glad to stand here in this Hall and speak these words of appreciation which I had for him. [28] Address of Mr. Burnett, of Alabama Mr. Speaker : I rise to add my feeble tribute of respect and appreciation and friendship to the memory of Hon. Jacob E. Meeker. When Mr. Meeker first entered this House he was as- signed to the Committee on hnmigration and Naturaliza- tion, of which I have the honor of being chairman. It had been the poUcy of both parties, without any politics entering into the personnel of that committee, to have the committee as nearly divided as possible on the question of the restriction of immigration in proportion to what had developed by different votes in the House of Repre- sentatives on that question. Mr. Meeker no doubt was placed by his party on that committee with the belief that he reflected and represented the same views on that subject as his distinguished predecessor. Dr. Bartholdt, who had opposed the legislation which had been pending for several years for the restriction of immigration. Mr. Meeker entered upon the performance of his duties on that committee, and we had long and continuous hear- ings. At the verj' outset of the discussions and hearings he no doubt felt inclined, as his predecessor had been, to oppose restriction by the illiteracy test that had been pending and discussed for several years; but he an- nounced to the committee — I remember it well — at one of its first meetings, that he entered on the consideration with an open mind, desirous of arriving at what he thought would be a righteous and just conclusion, and that he would go into the investigation of the question without fear or favor, intent on reaching a conclusion that he thought would be just and fair and right. [29] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker We had many, many days of hearings. That man had an eagerness and an avidity for work that was unexcelled by any Member with whom I have been intimately asso- ciated. He listened to the statements, he listened to the testimony, he listened to the discussions; none of us knew, and he did not know, where he was finally going to land upon that question or upon which side he would cast his decision. He entered into it honestly and earn- estly, desiring to reach a conclusion that would meet the approval of an honest conscience and an honest heart. At the conclusion of those long discussions and of those long hearings before the committee Mr. Meeker lined up with the same views that a majority of the committee had maintained for some time. He showed in that investiga- tion and in those discussions a courage worthy of the man. As I said, his immediate predecessor had been strenuously and earnestly opposed to the propositions in- volved, and had upon cverj' occasion and at cverj* turn of the wheel opposed and sought by honest effort to defeat the views that many of us held. I have no doubt but that at least a great number, if not a majority, of his constituency were in accord with the views that had been held by his immediate predecessor, and that verj' fact showed the honesty of that brave man. He went out to meet those constituents. He gave them his reasons for the faith that was in him, and he was returned, I believe, twice after he had voted with the majority on that question. I merely desired, Mr. Speaker, briefly to call attention to that as one of the numerous occasions upon which it was my privilege and pleasure to witness the courage, intellectual and moral, of that strong man. We miss his counsels on the committee now. There were many ques- tions that we desired investigated that the full committee did not have the time to attend to, and when questions [30] Address of Mr. Burnett, of Alabama of that kind arose there was no man to whom I could more cheerfully refer for investigation and report than to our distinguished colleague who is gone. And, Mr. Speaker, when I heard of his death, cut off in the very prime of manhood, I felt that an intellectual giant had been taken from this body and from the committee of which he was a member. He fell as he had lived, dis- charging what he believed to be his duty. It is said that when one of Napoleon's great marshals fell on the field of dutj' he said to the ofTicer whose business it was to call the roll, " Do not strike that great name from the roll, but every time when the roll call is made let an ofTicer step two paces to the front and answer ' He fell on the field of duty.' " And so it may be said of our colleague, he fell in the discharge of what he believed to be his duty. Mr. Speaker, I thought of asking merely to extend my remarks in the Record, but my friendship and affection for Mr. Meeker were so great that I felt I could not deny myself the honor and the privilege in this brief moment to add my personal tribute to the memory of a good friend and a great legislator. He was not of my political faith. I differed from some of his views very earnestly, but I always recognized that when I was opposed to the views of Mr. Meeker that he was as honest in those views as I dared claim to be in mine. He was a foeman worthy of the steel of any man, no matter how great might be his opponent. [31] Address of Mr. Rucker, of Missouri Mr. Speaker: I had no personal acquaintance with our late colleague, the Hon. Jacob E. Meeker, prior to his elec- tion to Congress. I knew him by reputation as one of the active, aggressive, and distinguished citizens of Missouri. His dauntless courage in giving voice to his convictions upon public questions, whether popular or unpopular, gave him a wide acquaintance throughout Missouri. As a Member of the House of Representatives I knew Mr. Meeker very well. Between us there were differences of views which were irreconcilable, but I learned to ad- mire him for his loyal and unwavering devotion to those things and to those principles which he believed to be right. No amount of opposition could deter him from asserting himself or from advocating the views which he honestly held. He was a man possessed of far more than average ability and was congenial, pleasing, and attractive in his associations and relations with men. Others who bore closer relations to him have spoken more extensively with reference to the lofty character and splendid record of efficient service of our deceased col- league, and nothing which I could say would add to the tributes they have paid him. I have always thought that one of the truest and most infallible methods of determining a man's personal worth is to ascertain how those who know him most intimately and well feel toward him. It was my privilege to attend the funeral of Mr. Meeker at Attica, Ind., and to witness the expressions of grief of the very large concourse of people who assembled at the beautiful church building near Attica where a funeral discourse was delivered and where the remains were interred. Every expression one [32] Address of Mr. Rlcker, of Missouri heard on that sad occasion was one of sorrow and grief, and ever>' face bore evidence of the deep distress which had overcast the community in which Jacob E. Meeker as a boy and as a man was so well known and so cordially esteemed. He was a good man, a useful man, a loyal friend, and a wise legislator. He will be missed and mourned in the community and in the Congress of the United States, where he performed such valued and valuable services to his country. Then, in accordance with the resolution heretofore adopted, the House (at 3 o'clock and 35 minutes p. m.) adjourned until Monday, February 3, 1919, at 11 o'clock a. m. 110941°— 20 3 [33] Proceedings m the Senate Thursday, October 17, 1918. A message from the House of Representatives, by J. C. South, its Chief Clerk, communicated to the Senate the intelligence of the death of Hon. Jacob Edwin Meeker, late a Representative from the State of Missouri, and transmitted resolutions of the House thereon. Mr. WiLFLEY. I ask that the resolution of the House be laid before the Senate. 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. October 16, 1918. Resolved, That the House has heard with profound sorrow of the death of Hon. Jacob Edwin Meeker, a Representative from the State of Missouri. Resolved, That a committee of 20 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 talie 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, as a further mark of respect, this House do now adjourn. Mr. WiLFLEY. Mr. President, as a further mark of re- spect to the menior>' of the deceased Representative I send to the desk resolutions which I ask to have read. [35] Memorial Addresses: Representative Meeker The Presiding Officer. The Secretary will read the reso- lutions. The Secretary' read the resolutions, as follows: Resolved, That the Senate has heard with profound sorrow the announcement of the death of Hon. Jacob Edwin Meeker, late a Representative from the State of Missouri. Resolved, That a committee of 10 Senators be appointed by the Vice President, to join the committee appointed on the part of the House of Representatives, to attend the funeral of the deceased. Resolved, That the Secretary communicate a copy of these reso- lutions to the House of Representatives. The Presiding Officer. The question is on the adoption of the resolutions. The resolutions were unanimously agreed to. Under the second resolution the Presiding Officer ap- pointed as the committee on the part of the Senate Mr. Reed, Mr. Wilfley, Mr. Watson, Mr. Sutherland, Mr. New, Mr. Kenyon, Mr. Harding, Mr. Beckham, Mr. Kirby, and Mr. Curtis. Mr. Wilfley. Mr. President, as a further mark of re-i spect to the memory of the deceased Representative I move that the Senate adjourn. The motion was unanimously agreed to; and (at 1 o'clock and 45 minutes p. m.) the Senate adjourned until Monday, October 21, 1918, at 12 o'clock meridian. Saturday, February 3, 1910. A message from the House of Representatives, by J. C. South, its Chief Clerk, transmitted to the Senate resolu- tions on the life, cliaracter, and public services of Hon. Jacob E. Meeker, late a Representative from the State of Missouri. ■9 [36] Gaylord Bros. Makers Syracuse, '^- ^ PH. UN. JI. W« LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 787 838