New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-07
NOTES FROM THE C1PITAL.
THOMAS B. REEDS PERSONAL APPEARANCE
AND SERVICES.

THOMAS 3. REEDS PERSONAL APPEARANCE
AND SERVICES.
rFRoM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT THE TRIBUNE ]
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-ThOmas b. Reed, of
Maine the mnority's choice for Speaker is of the
ablest men on the Republican side Of tho House. lie
stands six feet Ia his shoes and weighs in the neghbOr
hood OF $50 pounds. His massive frame and broad
shoulders support head out OF which pair OF small
brown eyes look at you with Qulzzca good nature and
amiablo benevolencc. a fringe of naxcn hair, per-
fectly bald Uranium and smoOthshaven face suggest
pictures of the traditional monk with collar keys at his
side-though there are people who pretend to have
found in Mr. Reeds features, and especially the forma
of his head striking resemblance to the portraits
OF Shakespeare, comparison which certainly is moro
fattering. Shakespeare or monk, Mr. Reed is one or
the best speakers in the House In the running fire Of
debate he has equal His w.t. his powers OF sarcasm
his readiness at Iepartee, make him formidable antag
onist. Few dare to draw him into controversy and
those who do have generally to regret IL after
ward Mr. Reed has habit or saying the most biting
and cruel things in quiet matteroffact way rarely
raising his voice. which Is curious mixture OF Yankee
drawl and Western twang above the tones OF ordinary
conversation. This is at effective and e1asperat'
ing. The victim squrms the operator smiles reassur
ingy he weds his knife and the spectators enjoy the
FUN The House would lose OF its greatest attrac-
lions were Mr. Reed really put in the Speakers
chair. His place is on the floor.
talking with Mr. Reed about these rules the other
day. Said he "Tho whole system under which We arc
transacting business Is bad ono Take tho case
for instance OF man who nnds his bill on the third
page of the calendar He gives up all hope OF ever
reaching It in the regular order aud consequently AK
unanimous consent for its consideration Now hear That
bin read and it to that Is not proper PHI,
but nave not any special information on the su'0tcb
aud while am consi ierng whether will incur the
nifty fcllOwmonbcrs By Directing TO that bill and
grounds that turn out TO pe utterly insufficient
examination hear tho voice OF the Speaker sound
ing through the hall No objection Is heard and away
tho bill AZ r lens Of the bills for p%GS
that way IL you dam up waters they have got TO 40
top OF the dar II you restrict the public bust
ness OF 1t going to bo DONE and dependent
the Justice OF the measure but the mpuderce oi
the memner II Is merely Question w9etGrr nc can
recognition when tho man who opposes the Dill Is out
che hall Why. tho regular programme OF procedure
is to in different parts OF the House and rush
at the WHO ovinces any disposition 10 opr0s inc b
that mp and before the House knows what has nap
Another WY OF doing business is dependent alto
g. & P' his srstsm "a snaTcciv less vjcious than
the oihor Suppose want 10 get at bill on the sec
ond page OF tn" calendar you must Ia tnI hoai paeT
Tnen the chairman OF the Committee OF tho Whole goes
ont OF the committee the Speaker takes his place ana
viii consider that iii to which objection made.
not The vote IS takon, aud then the Chairman goes
back into the committee and II the House has refused -
consider first bill tho second Ol IL called np ana
objection Is made to that 0at goes the chairman
again. in comcs the Speaker and there another Vot. OF
the house. Then ont COOS the Speaker III comes the
chairman. and the THIRD bi Is reached 'Gd objection Is
Speaker. and there is another vote OF the house ont
on Il is perfect cniids play You cannot ia a days
that way got over two pages OF tho calendar TO
your life"
Treasurer JOrdans report Is ont bat not "a he wrote
it, Mr. ManDing found II prudent TO cut Il down and
strike great many OF the recommendations which
Jordan hal made The secretary OF the Treasury -
said 10 have somewhat afraid OF his Treasurer
He suspects him OF being too radical rtioriner MT
Jordan, the other hand has been sncnlariy cHcum-
spect OF late lie Is not by any means 80 an1on, now
make changes as he formerly was Perhaps the al
vent Of Congress cooled his arlor refOrmcr or
may he he oars that Congress win look into the matter
Of the "red letter certificates and II VIII not do Tor HIN
TO DO too sprightly Just al tho present time.