The Portland daily press., 1891-03-06
CURRENT COMMENT,
SPEARER REED.
TR0sf0n .JournaI1

In spite of Bourbon excavations and Bour-
pom Dluster, we venture to predict that in
the next Congress the presidents which the
strong and brave Republican Speaker has es-
tablished will not be essentially altered. The
new system of facilitating public business
which Mr.. Reed inaugurated has been sub
jected to crucial test. Rarely has party
spirit run as high as in the Fifty-first Con-
gress. Rarely have the attempts of a strong
minority to block the wheels of progress been
more audacious or more determined. Yet
thanks TO the new rules, to the vigilance and
indomitaole nrmness OF the Speaker, and to
ed by his Republican associates, this Con-
gress has given the country larger amount
OF Important constructive legislation than
any preceding Congress for two decades.
The business men of America have had
demonstration OF the good results Of the ap-
pllcation OF business principles to national
law-making. They will never countenance
return to the old regime, or a renewal of the
fiction that member can be present for pur-
poses OF obstruction and absent for purposes
| of legislation. That fiction was always alb
horrent to the common sense of the Ameri-
can people. The party that should seek to
revive 1t would be taking long step toward
political suicide. Time will confirm the
splendid verdict on the course of Speaker
Reed that was rendered by his own constitu-
ents In lths Congressional election of last
September.
[Albany Journal
Thomas 3. Reed Is entitled to the thanks
Of the country for his vigoroussa business
ike control OF affairs In the House of Repre-
sentatives.
Since the first Monday In December, 1889,
there has at no time been the slightest doubt
as to whether there was a speaker of the
House or whether the Republican majority
sent TO washington to enforce Republican
policy would be permitted to transact legis-
business.
Mr. Reed has established the right of a ma
Jor1ty to rule; and the blackguardism of
northern Democrats and the fre-eating Of
hot bl0oded southerners have never dis
turbed the man from Maine.
10 THOMAS b. Reed more than any other
man Is the excellent record of to the Fifty
first Congress due.
New York Tribune.]
The List Congress, which has now closed
It's sessions, was In many respects the most
remarkable In the history of the country.
The fact that no other has ever performed
such effective work in harmony with the
principles which the majority held sacred
has been emphasized by the votes of Demo-
Gratis against the usual resolution Of thanks
to the Speaker. One strong man, able to
evoke order from q turbulent mob, has
known how to quell the revolutionists who,
though In minority. wanted to rule by law
less methods, and has deserved the thanks
which all Republicans gave him with pecu-
liar emphasis and feeling. Yet it is great
compliment to him that the lawless and rev
dictionary members refused their assent to
the vote Of thanks, and proved that to them
at least Speaker Reed had not been satisfac-
tory.
[Biddeford Journal
The exit of Speaker Reed was triumphant
ly grand and BETTING the occasion as well as
the man.. Despite the action of the Demo-
Gratis. who stultified themselves and the
party they represent by not concurring In
the vote of thanks passed by the House, the
Speaker must have found In the supreme
moment the pride and qualification which
comes from the performance of ones whole
duty.
Bangor Whigl
The action of the Democrats in opposing
the resolution of thanks to Speaker Reed is
CHARACTERISTIC of the party and will cause
Mr.. Reed no loss of sleep. He has the salts
faction Of knowing that he has performed
ably and honestly the duties of his office.
and the petty spite Of an obstructive minor.
ity can detract nothing from the honors so
we'll earned.