Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-10
THE FATHER OF THE HOUSE.
Correspondence Between the Speake
and Congressman Kelley,

correspondence Between the Speaker
and Congressman Kelley.
WASHINGTON, Decemb + 9lh.-The following
important and interesting correspondence be-
-ween Congressman Kelley, the Father of the
House" and Speaker Reed was made public
% night:
WASHINGTON, December Z. 1889
Hon. Thomas 3. Reed, Speaker OF the House Of
Representatives DEAR SIR: Your election to the
Speakership has devolved upon you many deli
cate and important duties inseparabie IL the
organization of the House.
1 have noticed that my name has been fire.
quently connected by popular suggestion with
the Charm ansh5p of the Committee on Ways
and Means Ia view of my having served on
that committee for the unsxampled period of
twenty consecutive years, it has not surprised
me That M name should again be associated
with the disting Cisbed position of Chairman of
thai committee which 1 had the honor to hold
during the F'rty seventh Cong e =, J, howev.-,
deem 1t my duy 10 frankly advise you that /
desire TO be retired from further service on that
comm tee. ny advancing years aud incTeas-
ing lrtirmitIes aave, in my own judgment in
TT d me .0T me performance of its exacIing
duties
re duties the Chairman of the committee,
the functions of which are closely related to
every business interest of the country, demand
the constant employment of the intellect of ex-
perenced craftsmanship and the physical
vlgor OF TipeDsd manhood.
We have among our Republican associates in
this session many who possess these qualities in
high degree. any one OF whom would so
aequit himself 9S to promote the best interests
OF the county, and reflect honor upon the
party TO which we be.ong Desiring therefore
most earnestly the continued prosperity of the
Republican party, and the complete success OF
your administration OF the high office to which
you have been caosen, it is my wish that you
should not consider my name in connection
with any assignment to duty on the Committee
on Ways and Means
With assurance of my continued respect and
W D. KELLEY.
Speaker Reed replied as follows
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE,
WAs4TSGToN, December g. 1889
DEAR SIR: Your letter has been received by
me- as it will be by the whole country, with
profound regret for the circumstance which
caused your retirement rom the Committee on
Ways and Means During almost ell your long
and conspicuous career which has been no in.
considerable part of the history of the great
epoch in our national life, your name hes bean
iuseparably associated with the greatest COM
mitfee and almost the fir created of the House
OF Representatives in which you have already
rendered the ougest service o.! all the living,
and of all the dead.
Your decli- Atom of service on that commit
tee is an event In the history OF our country as
we'll rs in yuGr own life. l aIn sure l do not
transgress The bonds Of ether propriety or
truth when I assure YOU of the regard of all the
membe:s Of Tie House and their wish and hope
thst returning health ana strength may enable
you TO AID Us with your presence and counsel
fo- many years Very truly, I. 3. REED.
To Hon " j. Kelley NJ C..