The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-01
TOM REEDS JOKE.
His Broad Platform When Mentioned for
the Presidency in 1855.

the Presidency in 1888.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-Ex-Speaker
Reed seems to be more seriously a can
didate for the presidency than ever be-
fore. In 1888 he regarded such possi-
bllity as joke. That year a New Eng
land paper declared that the most avail
able men for the Republican nomination
were Congressman Reed of Maine,
Hiscock of New York, and Long OF
Massachusetts.
AS soon as we saw this" said Mr..
Reed at that time, 'Long and I assem-
pled ourselves together, held a caucus,
aud agreed that the announcement, SO
far as we were concerned, was both
timely and judicious, but we decided by
unanimous vote that Hiscock was not
available. for reasons that must suggest
themselves to every thoughtful and pa
triotic man.
This action having narrowed the con-
test down to Long and myself, l sug-
gested, with the kindest and most disin-
terested motives, that for the sake of
harmony he ough hit to withdraw.
"He demurred to the proposition, and
DID not appear to take much interest in
it until | offered to make it an object to
him. L volunteered to pay him SO in
lawful money if he would agree to retire
ana make a speech nominating me in
the presidential convention. He replied
that he was not a five-dollar man, where
upon | raised it to eight
IF there is anything I despise it is
avarice. He replied that he would not
withdraw from the canvass and make
the speech for less than SO, and was
willing TO let me write 1t or would sub
nit it for my approval This was pretty
steep, as Long hadn't the slightest
chance of getting the nomination and
.Ssn't much of a speaker. But 1 agreed
TO pay him So down and the balance if
got the nomination. But Long said he
never did take a contingent fee and new
er would; so there the matter hangs. If
he wont agree to share the risk he shan't
have any of the peaches.
"Pm running for the presidency" con-
tinued Mr.. Reed at that time (this was in
the winter of 1879 upon broad and
comprehensive platform, and if l don't
get the nomination it won't be because
I'm not willing to give satisfaction to
people of all color. races, religions and
political views.
Il believe in giving every man equal
rights and fair show. l believe that it
IS the duty Of congress to pass judicious
silver bill, and am in favor of such re-
vision of the tariff as shall give the capi-
tai and labor employed in the manufac-
protection they ask, and at the same time
place the luxuries as we'll as the neces-
sarleS of life within the reach of all, |
believe that every man, woman and child
should receive d pension who is entitled
to 1t; that every just claim upon the gov
ernment should be promptly and duly
paid, with interest to date; that sectional
strife should be smothered in fraternal
love, and that the dead issues OF the war
should he decently buried at government
expense.
81 am in favor of applying the prin-
ciples of civil service reform to ali the
offices of the government, SO as to
give entire satisfaction to those
who are in as well as those
who are out, and that all legis-
lation intended to promote the prosper
ity of the country should be promptly
enacted by congress. On the labor ques-
ton l am sound AS an oak saw log, and
urge upon congress the passage of a bill
that will settle forever and set at rest all
controversies between the employer and
employed
81 believe that the surplus in the treas
ury should remain unimpaired so far as
is consistent with the financial welfare
of the country, and that congress should
take such action in reference to the
finances as will bring the graa.est good
to the greatest number l
hold it to be the duty of
the PRECEDENT to protect the rraroga-
twas of his Office. and to hand them
dowd unstained to his successor done up
in tissue paper, or in a silk hAndker-
chief, au1 l Will further say that if
have omitted to declare my -'..iou re-
garding any interest Representing a con-
siderable number of votes, it shall be my
earnest endeavCr to amend and enlarge
my platform accordingly.
The motto on my escutcheon is Il
strive to please and my aim is to merit
the appreciation and secure the support
of all Republicans, Democrats, and Mug
wumps l desire to be considered non
partisan candidate, and would prefer
that my nomination should be unani-
nous"