New-York tribune., 1891-03-06
THE SPE 4 KER.

Bv the very nature of the functions which
custom and law have vested in him. the speaker
of an American Congress becomes Its most IN
terostinc figure. Designedly and necessarily he
is something more and other than presiding
officer. He is the recognized leader OF the ma
ioritv. the party upon which the people nave
charged the duty of legislation. To him. IN
principal degree, the people look for the accom-
pliShment of the policies they have decreeo' anu
in strict proportion with his responsibility, upon
him falls their praise or blame for the recoru
made. 1t is natural, them that his powers
should be great, apprOXimatng those when III
another system would appertain in Parliament
to 2 Prime Minister The constantly incieas-
inc membership of the House, and its cOnSe-
ouent inability to legisate in any orderly or
intelligent way except through rules closely de-
fining members rights and carefully preScrlb-
ing the methods of procedure have also opera'ed
to render the Speaker an instrument OF great
authority.
Even the il-natured partisans who declined
to Join in expressing to Speaker Reed the
corrteSies usual at the final adjournment OF Il
Congress will agree with us that 1t has been
their gc ID fortune to be associated, in him, with
one of the ablest men our National Legislature
has ever contained. Indeed, if we except Ar.
Clay and Mr. Blaine, the list of Speakers dis
tjngrishcd as it is, offers no comparable name.
Whatever NAV be thought Of the methods by
which he has effected his purposes, it will scarce
" be denied that the intellectual proportions
of the gentleman who has just left the Speaker
chair are altogether admirable. They describe
a mind of wonderful vigor, of quick and true
perception. of direct habits of thought, widely
informed possessed of rare powers OF expression
alert broad, logical and resolute. If the DEM
ocrats of the List Congress have derived bu'
little comfort from their acquaintance with
Speaker Reed they have this to console them
that association with such man, even if il can
be had only upon his own terms, is inevitably
improving
From Republicans and from all men who be-
lieve in popular and responsible government
whatever the policies they may advocate, Speak
er Reed deserves nothing but praise The cheers
with which he was greeted by his party col
leagues when he took the chair for the last
time on Wednesday expressed the sentiments
of Republicans everywhere. If fidelity to prin-
cple and the honest performance OF honest
pledges are valuable in public servants, the
Speaker has earned every commentator they
demand 1t is at first sight a most amazing
fact that the man to whose acts the Opposition
chiefly attribute their unparalleled victory should
be held by his own party in higher estimation
than before defeat had rewarded his labors
But this is easily explained in the confidence
that Republicans everywhere entertain IN the
final triumph Of cOmmOn-sen justice and
truth. If government by parties is to 90 ON
in this country, if the will Of the majority is TO
prevail, the rules enforced by Speaker Reed are
bound to be approved. They arc nothing more
nor less than an expression Of the law of self
preservation. 1t is only necessary to show the
conduct which provoked them in It's true light
as conduct giving to members more power over
legislation by refusing to do their duty than
they would be able to exercise by the perform
ance Of the highest function OF their Office TO
demonstrate both the necessity and the wisdom
of the Speakers decisions If members are to
be permitted by sneaking away from rol-ca
to prevent the adoption Of laws which their
recorded votes could not prevent it cannot be
questioned that an end to free government by
majority rule has been put. Mr. Reeds loyalty
to the principles of his party, his unqualified
success in securing the performance Of its
pledges to the people, his courage and patience
in dealing with a minority that held itself re-
sponslble tc no recognized code of morals, and
his pre-eminent services to the cause Of re-
sponsible government will give brilliant lustIc
to the office he has held and to his name in the
eyes Of the people. And by the way, he is Il
young man yet.