The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-11-29
WHAT CRAWFORD HEARS.
The New York Vrlbune's Correspond
ent Writes of Mr.. Reed.

New YORK, November 28.-T c. Craw-
ford, in his Washington letter to the Tri-
bune, published this morning, says: Now
that the passions awakened by Speaker
Reeds management Of the House have
cooled down, the conservative men of the
opposition party are willing to concede that
he was actuated by the best of motives in
seeking to simplify in some way the present
cumbersome system--or lack OF syssem- of
transacting business. The American peo-
pie are supposed to be the most practical in
the world. In the commercial centres great
affairs are handled with great rapidity
wholly unknown in foreign countries. A
good New York business man can do more
business In five minutes than he average
business man of London or Paris would be
able to do in day. 1t is puzzle to many
that, in such practical country, where pre-
vailing business methods are so simple, the
House of Representatives should permit it.
self to become so involved in clumsy sys-
tenn of rules, which practically have forbid
den the rapid consideration Of affairs. Mat
ters In this direction have been steadily
growing worse for years. The obstruction
lists OF ten years ago were mild in compari-
son to the obstructionists of today. Under
this power of obstruction the minority has
had tremendous powers, almost exceeding
those of the majority. Everyone In WASH
ington knows how easy 1t is to defeat the
most meritorious legislation If only half.
dozen men will unite In the House to exer-
else all possible means Of obstruction.
Both parties are at fault so far as obstruc-
ton tactics are concerned, but the reformers
In the House, who hope TO simplify its meth
DDS of doing business, will advocate In the
next House the free and uninterrupted
course OF the Democratic majority to pass
such legislation as it may deem proper. For,
after ALL the majority Is responsible, and
should be permitted TO act Under full sense
of that responsibility. If MIR. Reed could
have been elected Speaker, of the next
House, through having Republican ma1ori-
ty there. he would have moved against the
present system of reading speeches on the
floor. This wearis0me system, based purely
upon weak and silly vanity, has done more
than anything else to kill the debates in the
House. 1t Is rare now that there is anything
approaching real debate in the House of
Representatives. A speech read from
manuscript is never listened to, and
therefore is never the occasion
of any discussion. Instances time
and again can be given where members
have read for an hour some speech to empty
chairs, and because they have not quite flu
lshed 1t, have begged with tears in their eyes
for few more moments of time to continue
the reading. although permission to have
mir speeches printed in "Tne Record" is al
ways given. Such minstering to personal
vanity is permitted in other national legisla-
tive body in the world. Under the next APP
portionment it is said, the House will num-
Der over $50 members. This increase thereby
its unwieidy character, and will add to the
difhcultieS of traDSacting business.
One of the most interesting things that I
have hoard of Speaker Reed came To me from
personal friend of his. He said:
"Mr Reed is man of great force and
courage. He staked his whole political for
tune upon his course in the last session. Ii
he had not been sustained at home, he would
at once have resigned the Speakership and
his membership of the House, forsworn pol
itics, and would have returned to the prac-
tica of law"
"Do you mean to say that he would actual
ly have resigned his high office if he had not
been returned from his district?"
There is nothing more certain in the
world. His mind was fully made up on the
subject. He never said anything upon the
subject to any but his most intimate friends,
and there was no whisper of it in his can
yass"