The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-06-08
operate against the forces OF General

Then. when the last foe Of the govern
lnent had surrendered, Colonel Reeder s
regiment. on the l4th IF May, 1896. was
mustered out he brought it 10 Phlia-
delphia by way Of the sea, where II was
finally discharged On the 18th of June.
While together ne and his comrades N
arms had covered over 1900 miles OF
travel. participated in twenty-five regu-
lar engagements and in many skirmishes.
The achieving of a military record
such as IS here outlined at the age Of p
is 20 indicative Of more than ordinary
ability As to render comment superhuOus.
As Party Leader.
After receiving his discharge Colonel
Reeder entered the law school at Albany,
n. Y, where he prosecuted his legal
studies. he was admitted to the bar in
March, 1855. and commenced the prac-
tee Of his profession II New York city.
He was there associated with General
Chester A. Arthur, who subsequently
became vice president and succeeded 10
the presidency upon the death OF Presl-
dent Garfield.
In the fall Of 1869 he returned to
EastOn and entered into law partner
ship with his brother, Howard J.
Reeder, who Is now one Of the judges Of
the Third judicial district of Pennsyl-
Yania.
General Rseder began, Immediately
upon his return to his old home, 10 take
an active interest IN politics, and to seek
by all honorable means TO build up and
strengthen the Republican party. be
was appointed collector Of internal reve-
nue. for the Eleventh district Of Pennsyl-
yania in February, 1873, which position
be filed until October, 1876. Since then
he has devoted himself exclusively 70
the practice of his profession.
In 1874 he was appointed by Governor
Hartranft briEadler general, command
ing the Fifth brigade, Second division.
n. q. p, and after the consolidation OF
the National Guard Of the state into one
division was assigned 10 the command of
the second brigade. In 1877, during the
railroad riots. he was in command of his
brigade and was ordered TO proceed with
his troops 10 Reading. He soon sue
ceeded in restoring order and in saving
Reading from heavy loss. BE resigned
from the National Guard in 1881.
General Reeder takes a lively interest
Ia public affairs and keeps a wide andin-
teliigent outlook upon all political ques-
tions. both state and national. He was
a delegate 70 the last Republican na-
tional convention, and one OF the com
mittee appointed 10 notify Harrison and
Morton Of their nomination as the stand
ard bearers of the party. be took a
keen interest IN the campaign and did
much solid, earnest work for the ticket.
He was unanimously elected one of
tne delegates at large to the Minneapolis
national Republican convention at the
last state convention In the last state
campaign General Reeder was tempo
rarily IN charge Of the Republican state
headquarters while Chairman Watres
WAS presiding over the extra session Of
the state senate.
Secretary Leach's Party Services.
Mr.. Leach was born at Cape May, n.
J. Aug. %. 1865. He took up his resi-
dence in Philadelphia in 1873, and was
admitted TO the bar in March. 1877. He
early displayed an aptitude for politics.
In 1885 he became secretary of the
Republican state committee, under
Chairman Cooper, and he has held that
position ever since. In this capacity
much of the detail work of organization
has fallen upon his shoulders, and he has
always been looked upon as chief of
whether Cooper, Andrews or Watres
filed that role. Although still holding
the position Of secretary during the
state campaigns of 1888 and 1890, Mr..
Leach was engaged with his duties as
assistant secretary of the Republican
national committee, and was compelled
TO temporarily abandon his state work.
In the Delsmater campaign, but amonth
delphia, and at his suggestion the city
committee, of which he was a member,
organized a special canvass of the
Third congressional district, with Mr..
Leach as chairman of the committee IN
charge Of the party organization.
Under his direction the Republican
forces made a mastery battle and re-
duced the Democratic majority in this
district by about 5000 votes.
PeriIOus Campaign Work.
Mr.. Leach was assigned to a respon-
sible, important aud dangerous field of
labor IL the last national campaign.
Chairman Quay detailed him for still
hunt canvass of North Carolina Mr..
Leach took entire charge of the Repub-
hcan campaign in the state. So thor
oughiy, systematically and secretly was
the canvass conducted that when--s
day or two before election-the scheme
was accidentally discovered the Demo-
cratic managers were astounded at what
had been going on under their very
noses. The alarm was at once sounded.
A reign Of terror was instituted. With
unparalleled fraud and bulldozing the
state was finally carried against Harri-
son, though by greatly reduced vote.
Although his life was frequently
threatened, Mr.. Leach remained until
the polls were closed. He had perfected
an organization such as had never been
known IN any southern state before. Mr..
Leach had the satisfaction of knowing
that though the state was lost three Re
publican congressman were elected,
which really saved the house in the Fifty
hrst congress 10 the party, for, despite
the Democratic wholesale counting in |
tactics, the Republicans secured the |
house by majority Of thee.
Handsome Tribute.
j. B. Eaves, chairman of the North |
Carolina Republican state committee, |
thus wrote Mr.. Leach after the election: |
Our three congressional members have their
certificates, and il gives me pleasure TO assure i
you that without your help doubt very much 4
whether we could have carried one. am sat
sted We could not have elected more than one.
Commended by CIarkson.
Ina very cordial letter National Chair
man Clarkson, in cOmplimenting Mr..
Leach for his work done in connection
With national committee matters.
among other things said:
hope the party viii some time be able 70
how lis appreciation OF the good work you
lave done in il behalf. and the constant de-
lotion yon have shown TO its cause. and 1 want
@ assure you OF my personal gratitude and
learty appreciation.
The next exciting political experience
n which Mr.. Leach figured was in
hooking the Democratic conspiracy to
NY mp enough members of the iegisla-
ure to prevent the election Of Repub-
lean United States senator in Della
ware. In writing up detailed account
ware.
Praise from Watres.
While at the same time he kept M
rs work as assistant secretary TO the
auonM committee, Mr.. Leach per-
ormed all the duties of secretary OF the
tate committee in the last campaign.
10 better testimonial could be wished
1r than that given him by Chairman
atres, who, IN an authorized state
lent Just after the election, said:
There Is one thing want TO say. and that is
here Is much praise due Mr. Leach. secre-
irN uf the state committee. FOR his effective |
nd important serN ices In the campaign I !
N indebted 20 him FOR many valuable sug-
esiious- The handsome majorities rolled up !
lr our candidates are largely due 70 the fer-
ct organization formed in "A very short time / I
! the bringing out OF which Mr. Leach. by his