The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-09-11

the case, and the more so because MS
prominence depends on the popular belief
the federal government from its state of in
activity, and making 1t the supreme poll
tical force In the land. He is himself the
personiication of the idea that the govern
ment represents purpose, and that purpose
Is to execute the popular demands within
constitutional limits without unnecessary
delay-the government Of the majority.
THE LEADER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
IN. Y. Evening Post (Mugwump.ll
The result of the election in Maine yesier-
day is great personal victory for Speaker
Reed. Indeed, it is not too much to say that
it is one OF the greatest personal victories
e7er achieved by politician in our history.
His unprecedentedly large majority In an al
ways close district Is an endorsement from
his neighbors of which any public man may
well feel proud.
'Lo, the conquering hero comesi" the
band may well play as the Speaker returns
to Washington. Thomas B. Reed is now
the unquestioned leader of the Republican
party.
PROUD OF OUR GEAR"
[Chicago Tribune.I
The Republicans of his district evidently
are proud of their Scar" Reed, and feel
that be is doing good work in the House.
They are proud of his record on the quorum
question, and that he has broken up the
Democratic pretence that Democrats present
quorum by sitting dumb when their names
are called. This Is the great reform Speaker
Reed has accomplished, and the people of
the district have indorsed his action by near
y ooOO majority. They also are proud that
secure fair Congressional elections. The
Democrats would have given more to defeat
Reed In that district than to defeat any other
10 Republicans in the United States, for they
hate him as they hate no other Republican
in the country.
ONE RATIONAL EXPLANATION.
philadelphia Evening Bulletin.l
There is one rational explanation of tho
great victory in Maine, and especially in Mr.
Reeds district. 1t Is that he dared to take
step which proved him to be leader and
statesman, to correct q great and growing
evil which was rapidly making the Congress
of the United States a combination of cir
Gus and debating society. and his consttu-
ents approved him. The triumph in the
state at large is due, aside from state issues,
partly to this and partly to the popular eI.-
dorsement OF the Mckinley tariff bill aud
the course Of the Republican party That is
all, and that Is enough. 1t were waste of
words to argue further, The people vote on
issues, not on trivialties. The voters of
Maine have taken the Republican side of the
issues set before them in this campaign.
REGULATION EXCUSES WILL NOT DO.
philadelphia Times. (Mugwump)J
In politics and in war nothing is success
ful but success, and Speaker Reed has
achieved one of the grandest personal and
political victories of modern politics by his
triumphant reelection. 1t is idle for party
organs to come up with whimpering expla-
nations. telling how his vote was less than
IN 1883; that he debauched voters by the
Kittery Navy Yard and Doodle; that he de-
frauded hundreds of Biddeford Democratic
voters by trickery, and that he covered the
district with hurricane of corruption.
When all these regulation excuses are given.
the fact remains that Tom Reed has the
hearty and complete Endorsement of his peo-
pie, and the additional fact is obvious that
his district his candidacy aud his personali-
ty give the increased off year party majority
liz his state.
THE VOTERS ARE WILLING TO HELP HIM.
IBoston Transcript
Speaker Reed seems to have captured the
plain citizens OF the first Maine district by
his big, burly personality. The figures show
that there was little need of his leaving
Washington to look after fences at home.
They were all up yesterday and in prime
condition. 1t was significant personal tri-
umph for him, and may turn out so for the
Republican party. 1t goes without saying
that Mr.: Reed will have great influence than
ever at Washington, both in congressional
and administrative circles. In what way
this may affect Mr.. Blaine's relations with
the administration we shall know hereafter.
AS between these two public men, anybody
is rapidly absorbing the general popularity
among Republicans which was once Mr..
Blaine's exclusive possession.
THE BEST RECORD SINCE 1888.
Howell Courler.l
Since Maine went in the celebrated way
for Gov. Kent IL has never surpassed its rec
ord OF yesterday. That the Republican VIC
tory would be of such an overwhelming
character the most sanguine did not venture
to hope. The result Is as gratifying as its
magnitude was unanticipated, particularly
in the first district, which re-elects Speaker
Reed by plurality that Is a perfect sur
prise party to himself and all the voters in
his district The vote throughout the state
shows that the Republican party's faith in
its principles and leaders is as strong as ev-
err; that the detection which Democrats
fondly hoped for does not exist; that the Re-
publican congressman. and especially the
Speaker, are endorsed by their constituents,
and that the Dirigo state is in first-rate
shape for the battle of 1892. The Democrats
may now take the floor to explain what it
was that struck them.
POLITICAL GIANT.
[Albany EveulDg Journall
Thomas B. Reed has loomed into lopulari-
ty, with the proportions Of political sgiant,
within the period OF nine brief months.
Events have succeeded each other so rapidly
in the House of Representatives,. so much
business haslbeen transacted by that body,
that the public mind is confused and the
popular strength of Mr.. Reed has not been
clearly analyZed. To our mind the analysis
is simple. The American people worship
fighter. The veneer of civilization but
lightly covers the Anglo-Saxon animal In
the arena of politics, the man who gives and
takes hard blows; who manifests positive
and aggressive qualities; who combines
with sturdy, political nature stainless
character and consciousness of a Just
cause, combines the element of popular
strength and success. Mr.. Reed fought for
the principle that a Republican majority in
Congress should not be held responsible for
the policy of the government and at the
same time be deprived of the right to put its
policy into operation. And there Is nothing
| else as successful as sue cess.
NEW YORK TOWNS AFLOAT.