The Portland daily press., 1884-04-15
The First Maine District and It's
IFrom the Boston Journal, April IA.

| srrom the Boston journal, April 14.l
Every man who takes an interest In the
proceedings of Congress knows that there is
district in Maine represented by Thomas
b. Reed. They know this because during
the seven years that he has been in the
House he has achieved anational reputation,
and to-day is generally admitted, all things
considered, to be the strongest man on the
Republican side. In conspicuous degree
ne possesses those rare qualities which are
essential to leadership in great representa-.
tive body like the House-robuslness OF
character, solid as we'll as brilliant parts, the
capacity to present case c0gently, tersely
and In manner that commands attention
and the confidence of his associates All of
these qualifications Mr.. Reed possesses in so
high degree that when he rises the House
listens, and when he closes his speech his
cause is stronger, and his adversary has felt
his power. Until their dying days ex-Gov-
ornor Tilden and Manlon Marble will re-
member that he was a member of the spec
ial committee to inquire into the Presiden-
tial election of 1876. If one is looking for
the skillful management of critical meas
ure let him turn to the Alabama Claims bill
reported In the last Congress by Mr.. Reed
and managed to success by him. If they
seek for q model speech in which to close
debate let them study that of Mr.. Reed on
this occasion. To him, more than any 9TH
or man, the losers by the Confederate crus-
ers owe the act under which they are now
being paid. That his party associates re-
gard him as their most skiful parlsmenta-
rian is proved by the fact that he was chos-
en- during the last Congress by the Republic
cans to take charge of the resolution which
enabled the Republicans to take up and dis
pose of the contested election cases, and the
order under which the Senate Tariff bill was
carried to enactment in the House. In the
present House he championed the PROPOSE
ton to so change the rules that a majority
can legislate, AMI although he was opposed
by the leaders of both wings of the Democ-
racv, his proposition only lacked a few votes
of being adopted. The loss of such man
would be an irreparable one to New Eng
land interests aud the Republican party.
/ We have referred to this matter because
there are rumors that number Of Republi-
cans are not satisfied with Mr.. Reed. They
cheerfully admit his ability and fathfulness
in the House, but they complain that he has
persisted in making two or three appoint
nlents which are distastefal to tthfslrSed in
heP 9p!g When be was aware of their unpop
ularity. They do not complain that the
men will not make good officers, but that
their selection was not such as the party
would have made. That is, while Mr. Reed
IS an excellent Congressman on all public
questions, aud is careful to attend to the
private interests of his constituents, he is a
poor dispenser of patronage. And for this
cause-because Mr.. Reed has made two or
three mistakes of this nature-his oppo-
nents would deprive Maine, New England
and the Republican party OF the services of
one of the ablest men in Congressi- That is
confession that postmaster or a tide
waiter is of more Importance to great dis
trict than it is toshave an able man in Con-
gress to care for its interests. The journal
has no interest IN Mr.. Reed as an individual,
but In Mr.. Reed as an aole exponent of Re-
publican ideas, and as a Represents in
Congress whose ability and onporisnee -a.a-
der aim a most useful champion of New
England interests, the Journal has very
much interest. The Republicans of the
First Maine District have it in their power
to confer great favor upon the Republican
party, and particularly upon the business in
feresis of the Eastern States, bs renominat-
ing and rejoicing Mr.. Reed. We refer to
the matter, not as an inference or by way of
advice, but simply to speak the sentiment OF
Republicans regarding Mr.. Reed outside his
own State and district.