Senator Alfred Nelson Poyneer View All Years

MR. PRESIDENT—Information having reached the Senate of the death of Hon. A. N. Poyneer, who died at his home in Montour on the 28th day of August, 1897, and who was a member of this body during the Nineteenth, Twentieth, Twenty-first and Twenty-second sessions of the General Assembly, and President of the Senate during the session of the Twenty third General Assembly, therefore,

Resolved, That in his death the state of Iowa has lost an honored citizen, who by his long public service had earned the gratitude of the people, and whose high character, strict integrity and sterling personal qualities commanded the respect and won the lasting friendship of all who knew him.

He was a man of strong convictions and strong judgment, and during the time he was a member of this body took a leading part in formulating and carrying through many important measures which came before the Senate; and in speaking to and voting upon these questions he always exhibited the courage of his convictions.

As President of the Senate he was eminently fair, just and impartial in all his rulings, actions and decisions. His executive ability was of a high order, and his thorough knowledge of parliamentary practice greatly facilitated the work of this body. In his determination of public policies, and in the administration of public affairs, the question of expediency did not enter; the controlling question with him always was, “what is right?”

He was a stranger to trickery and chicanery, and after a long and useful life of public service, he retired as he came, without a shadow of the stain of political corruption.

It is such men as he who give stability to our government, and it is fitting that his life and services be impressed upon our memories as an example and encouragement to those who follow, and to that end these resolutions be made a permanent record in the Journal of this body.

Resolved, That the Senate extend its sincere sympathy to the widow and children, who, by his death are bereaved of an affectionate husband and father.

Resolved, That the Senate present an engrossed copy of these resolution to his family.

E. G. PENROSE,

C. W. MULLAN,

L R. BOLTER,

C. S. RANCK,

WM. B. PERRIN.