The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-09
The Reed House.

The Hon. THOMAS BRACKET REED must
beabout ready to adjourn himself. The work
that he cut out for the House has been
mostly done, and unless the silver men
break away, 1t has all been done to his salts
faction and in accordance with his specIfica-
tions. Mr.. REED has had a very lively ses-
sion, and he must begin to long for the
breezes OF Portland Bay. His record as
House OF Representatives entities him to a
vacation. He can look back on himself with
considerable pride and INSTRUMENTATION
He has changed the House rules 80 that the
minority have no rights. He has unseated
Democrats in quantities to suit. He has adj
mitted two Republican Territories into the
Union. He has passed q Tariff bill which
nobody In particular seems to want, and
which many OF the men who were made to
vote for it didn't want. He has scotched
free silver coinage, although the West, the
South, and at least part Of the East, want
free silver coinage. He has driven through
tho House a Bayonet BILL which Southern
Republicans do not want and many
Northern Republicans are afraid Of
This is big record What makes 1t more
remarkable is that Mr.. REED has been able
to hold together almost all the Republicans
in the House to policies OF whose wisdom
many OF them are known to be doubtful He
has made them do the things they would
not, and he has kept them from doing the
things they would. In some instances, as In
tho case of the votes of some OF the Western
members on the Senate amendments to the
Silver bill he has actually forced Represent
Atves Into voting against their own In
terests and the known wishes of their con-
stituents. There could be no stronger proof
OF his power. 1t is easy enough for a Con-
gresham to vote for a big Job like the De-
pendent Pension bill. He may not approve
tho policy OF It, but he thinks that it will get
him votes. When, however, Congressman
can be forced into voting for a measure
which their constituents do not approve,
the commanding quality OF the master of
the House Is shown in its highest form. We
have instanced as proof tho vote OF
some OF the Western Republicans on the
Silver bill The vote OF the Minnesota mem.
bslS on the Tariff bill is another proof.
The comparative meekness with which
members have consented to the shelving OF
balls for public buildings in their districts Is
another evidence. 1t Is wonderful that there
has not been mutinY. Mr.. REED has been
mo 0DoOluUo bONOEclku Vi IIlo hopuDllCaDB
II tho other Republican members had been
mutes, merely approving In dumb show his
Odiots. their part In the work OF tho House
would have been no less Insignificant than 1t
has been.
There are still important bills which Mr..
REED may call up. but tho bulk OF his work
has been done. However much one may
dsprecats that work and the methods by
which 1t has been done. 1t Is impossible not
TO give . certain admiration to tho holiness
Of plan. the fertility OF resource. the un-
swerving. cool purpose, and the imperturb-
able temper which Mr.. REED has exhibited
throughout. The Republican party may
shake him of, but at present he is its mas
ter Moreover. he is the most popular man
In 1t. and oven Mr.. BLAINE must now take
second place. 1t may DO that Mr. REED
will never DO nominated for President.
Perhaps no Is too salient personality for
that. But one distinction he has which
viii mako him long remembered in Ameri-
can politics ana famous In It's history. He
took great party. and, bali against Its will.