Mr. SPEAKER: We meet to-day to pay our tribute of
respect to the memory and character of HENRY CULLEN
ADAMS, Member of Congress from the Second district of Wisconsin.
He left Washington shortly after the adjournment of the first
session of the Fifty-ninth Congress for his home in Madison.
On arriving at Chicago he was taken sick, and after an illness
of a few days died at the Auditorium, in that city. In his death
the State and his nation sustained a great loss.
Mr. ADAMS held many important positions of trust and honor,
both public and private, in his State. He served his
State as a member of the assembly, superintendent of public
property, and dairy and food commissioner. In November, 1902,
he was elected a Member of the Fifty-eighth Congress. Few men
were so well qualified by experience and training for the important
duties required of a Member of Congress.
He was a man of great force and ability, kindly and genial
in manner. He had that quality usually known as "good
common sense" in the highest degree. He made friends
easily and quickly, and soon won a prominent position among his
associates in the House of Representatives. His Congressional
career was exceptionally successful. In his term of three years
he accomplished much, especially for the agricultural interests
of his State and nation, and they have cause to remember him
with gratitude.
His duties as a member of the Committee on Agriculture in
the Fifty-ninth Congress were exceedingly important and
arduous. In the legislation relating to meat inspection his
service was most valuable. The President called him into consultation
upon this important legislation, and its satisfactory solution
was largely due to his extended knowledge of the subject and
his good judgment. His response to the call of duty in the closing
days of that important session of Congress overtaxed his bodily
strength and undoubtedly was the principal cause of his untimely
death.
Life is a great mystery. The object and purpose of our being
here are not made clear to us. Men strive here to attain the
highest purpose, to gain the greatest success in life, and
we may well ask, What is success? Some conceive it to be one
thing, some another. Many strive after wealth as if it were the
most desirable and highest object to be obtained. "CULLY"
ADAMS, as he was familiarly known, had that which money can not
buy. He had earned the respect, the confidence, and love of his
neighbors and fellow-men. What greater success can one gain in
this world than to win the love and esteem of mankind?
Most of his life was spent in exposing fraud and deceit and
in the betterment of humanity. The world has gained some-
thing through his life; it has been made better thereby.
He was honest, faithful, and true, and in all positions of life
met every requirement of right and duty. His State mourns his
loss.