Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-21

L..
the speakers chair, Mr.. Reed was the
parliamentary leader of his party.
In 1889 promotion came, and he was
elected speaker of the House. The stormy
sessions over which he presided,are such
recent history that they need only pe re-
ferred TO to be recalled. Reeds rul-
inps by which the actual visible pres
ence of a majority of the House was
held TO constitute quorum. whether all
present voted or not, brought down
storm of invective and abuse upon the
head of the imperturbable man in the
sneakers chair. Hysterical Democrats
burled the epithets Gear" and ~
rant" at him and comic cartoonlsts repre-
sented him in all the majesty OF crown
and ermine. but he felt sure he was righV
and went ahead He has, within four
years, not only seen his procedure ratified
by all the best parliamentary authoritles'
at home and abroad, and by the supreme
court of the United States, but ne mas
seen the men who shrieked anathemas at
him then Incorporating in their own rules
of procedure in the present Congress pre-
cisely the principles he laid down IN 1871.
Mr.. Reed was once asked by Robert L.
Porter, upon whose authority the story is
told, how he felt while the uproar, con-
fusion and abuse were at their worst in
the fifty first Congress:
81 felt" said the ex-speaker, Just as
YOU would feel if a great creature We're
jumping at you and you knew the exact
length and strength of his chain and
were quite sure of the weapon you held
in your hand. l had no feeling except
that of perfect serenity, and the reason
was simple l knew just what l would
do il the House did not sustain me, and
there was no need to feel to disturbed ="
And what would you have done if the
House had decided adversely
81 should have resigned the speakership
and my seat in Congress. There are other
things to do outside of political life, and
l had made up my mind that if political
life consisted in sitting helplessly in the
speakers chair and seeing the majority
powerless to pass legislation l had had
enough of it.
When Mr. Reed left the speakers chair
he was a national figure of the first i'm
portance. Americans like pluck and
energy and determination, especially
when they are all dominated by common
sense, and Mr.. Reed had demonstrated
sides fifth essential to greatness, name
ly, brains. During the four years that
have passed since then be has maintained,
if, indeed, he has not increased, his in
fuence in Congress, and he has been
easily the most interesting figure in the
lower House. even though his party has
been sadly in the minority. Under his
leadership, however, it has been com
ract and influential minority-in striking
contrast to the disorganized and discord-
ant majority-and now that it is again
in control of the chamber, the elevation
Of its leader to the speakers chair again
is foregone conclusion.
In Washington tom" Reed has been
for years one of the most conspicuous as
well as one of the most interesting of
figures The rotund form, bland smile,
high pitched, nasal drawl and genial good
humor of the Maine representative have
become very familiar to Washingtonfans
in the last twenty years, and everybody
knows and likes the ex-speaker.
AS might be expected, Mr. Reed is,a
very brilliant conversationalist, and at the
social functions he attends he is always
a welcome guest. He is also particu-
larly ready and effective speaker either at
the dinner table or upon the platform,
but it is not often that he is seen in So
ciety His tastes, like those of his wife,
are principally domestic, and he goes to
social events so rarely that his presence
always gives additional zest to the oc-
casion.
On the floor of the House he is feared
as well as respected. Although his
speeches, since he achieved leadership in the
House, show deep research on all public
questions and powers of argument and
oratory beyond most of his colleagues, it
is under the hot fire of debate that he is
seen to best advantage.
The Washington correspondents appre-
ciate the interest the people of the nation
take in vigorous personality like Mr.
Reeds. The slightest incidents in which
he figures are promptly telcgraphed all
over the country. One day, in the middle
of the midsummer season of the Congress
Of which Mr.. Reed was the speaker he
sauntered up to the capitol without
vest, and wearing one of those wide, sum
mer like sashes, so fashionable just then.
The next morning everybody who bought
newspaper knew all about "Tom''
Reeds sash, and it was weeks before we
heard the last of it.
Mr.. Reed has but to slip on the icy
steps of the capitol and his tumble is
made matter of record for future his
torians. A joke smile, a nod of the head
from him is more freely commented on
than many long and ambitious speech
from less eminent men. But it is refresh
ing to be able to say that in spite of the
close watch that is kept upon him, as
upon all public men, nothing has ever been
said or whispered against Mr. Reed pri
waite conduct or political honesty. 1t
would be gratifying if there were more of
our politicians Of whom that might be
said.
Mr.. Reeds home is singularly happy
and pleasant one. Twenty years
ago he married Portland girl-Miss
Merrill-whose father was pastor of
Congregational church in the city and
of the first Maine regiment
throughout the war. Mrs. Reed is
small woman, and looks even smaller than
she really is beside her big husband. She
has a sweet face, framed in dark brown
hair, and her eyes are deep blue in color
She is a very charming woman, but her
charms are most potent in her own home,
for she does not care much for society,
and is manifest in her own little family