Mr. SPEAKER: With mingled feelings of pain and pride
I rise to say a few words regarding the life and character of
Hon. H. C. ADAMS. I am overwhelmed with sorrow when I reflect
upon the nation's loss, his State's loss, and his family's loss.
The nation has been deprived of the services of a great, good,
and competent Representative. The State of Wisconsin has suffered
an equivalent loss, and his family has been bereft of a wise,
kind, and indulgent husband and father.
A certain sort of mental pleasure is realized, however, in
being able to honestly offer evidence of his noble character
and devoted loyalty to the country he loved so well, his
lofty ideals, and his high and noble purposes.
It is no exaggeration to assert that Mr. ADAMS was a constructive
statesman and an ideal Congressman. He was honest in all things
and careful and painstaking in all things. He possessed the courage
of his convictions and never side stepped or flinched in the
performance of what he conceived to be his duty, and never "dodged
a record vote," or anything else, through fear of personal
consequences, as many others in this day and generation do. His
word was as good as a gold bond, and he kept his promises like
a man that he was, and stood out "foursquare to all the
world and every wind that blows."
Not withstanding his public career was cut short by the "grim
reaper," death, of which I am confident he was admonished
months in advance, he was indefatigable in the performance
of his public duty.
By reason of his long and successful experience as State
food and dairy commissioner of Wisconsin, where such
subjects are thoroughly understood, he was technically qualified
to dictate, in some measure, the most important legislation passed
by Congress during his membership. And is is also a matter of
common knowledge, at least among his colleagues in this Chamber,
that in the preparation of the pure-food bill and the law governing
the inspection of packing houses and meat products the technical
knowledge and natural genius of H. C. ADAMS exercised a potent
influence on legislation. This statement can be corroborated
by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Agriculture.
Certain distinguished gentlemen may vie with each other for all
the honor of this new and important legislation, but the fact
remains the legislation itself bears the well-known earmarks
of H. C. ADAMS. He was not an egotist, never sounded his own
praise or boasted of his own achievements, and the world may
never know what he has done to make it better.
Had his life been spared it is certain he would have developed
into one of the most prominent and useful Members of this
body.
It can be truly said of Mr. ADAMS that he sacrificed his
life in the service of his country if ever patriot did. He was
exhausted by his arduous labors in the committee and on the
floor of the House, yet he was always on guard and never known
to desert the post of duty or complain of long hours or hardships
when the weal or woe of his country or constituents were at stake.
He was not "all things to all men;" but he was
the same ADAMS to all men; he played no favorites, and everyone
know
where to find him at all times and under all conditions and
circumstances.
I am reliably informed that he was a descendant of John Adams
on one side and of Daniel Webster on the other.
Worth was he of that proud inheritance, and both lines of
ancestors have been honored by his life, his conduct, and his
example to posterity.
"Gentle be the summer rains which fall upon his grave,"
and may his survivors and posterity forever stand firmly for
the
principles for which he and his illustrious ancestors lived
and died.