Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-04-12
THOMAS B. REED
Mckinley Knows the Man he is
Running Against.
Ills SPLENDID SPEAKERSHP FIGHT
Those Tactics to Be Repeated in
Sense.
W A I T IN e. r A G E

"Gov. Mckinley knows the man he is
running against for the presidential NOM
nation of his party" said a prominent
politician to a representative Of The Star
today. He is showing by his activity that
he has a vivid recollection of the contest
for the Speakership of the House in the
Fifty-first Congress, when Thomas B. Reed
first exhibited such surprising speed and
such wonderful staying qualities. The
Maine man came with rush at that time
and before his opponents were clearly ad-
viseG OF his status in the race he had put
them all behind him. He went on at his
pleasure then, and won with ease. The
Ohio candidate is wise in getting off early
for the great stakes. There is a good deal
In the start, providing the pace is not made
too hot before the home stretch is reached.
Gov. Mckinley must look out for that He
Is moving off well from the post, but he
ought to save himself little for next
winter and spring. Then it is that the
Maine entry may be expected to come
strong and fight for first place.
Reeds organizing Capacity.
Reeds winning of the speakershp was
fine piece of work, and showed him to be
frst-class organizer and campaigner. He
was then. in the larger sense of things, an
unknown quantity. He had reputation as
wit and debater, but none whatever as
chance to display himself on such a score.
His opponents thought him a little lazy.
His giant frame and pleasant spirits had
suggested leiSurely disposition, and their
idea seemed to be that he lacked the energy
and agility necessary for the making of a
successful contest for such a prize. Nc
kiDley and Cannon were in the race, and
both very popular. Some shrewd observers
picked the Ohio man for the winner. His
great industry and capacity for making
friends seemed to assure success. But Mr..
a
too and attracted many people to his head
quarters. Reed meanwhile was at his best.
than both of his opponents put together.
The lazy man proved to be the most in
dustrious Of men. He slept, on an average,
only about four hours out Of the twenty
four, and he was willing at any time to
give up those four to forward the hunt for
vote. His Neutenants gathered from
every quarter, and all were men of conse-
QGence.
THE campaign was short, but it was spir-
tied while it lasted and Reed was always
In the lead. The fact is that Reed had
done a a-surprising amount of work before
he opened headquarters here. But this was
not known in it's full proportions by his
opponents until all was over. Then they
saw that the keen wit and the readiest Of
debaters was likewise of the best of
organizers and a general capable of the
highest commands Gov. Mckinley is I'M
doubtedly remembering all this, and. for
bis part, does not intend to be surprised
the second time He evidently thinks that
Reed is the man he has got to beat, and he
knows by experience that Reed is very
early riser"
The Spenkership Tactics Again.
do you expect to see Mr.. Reed repeat
the tactics Of the speakership fight in his
fight for the presidential nomination." was
asked.
In certain sense, yes. That is to say
he will be as tireless worker in the one
case as in the other. He will meet and
confer with a great many men. He will
fully inform himself as to all the move
ments of his rivals. He will govern all of
his own movements accordingly. He will
keep all of his lieutenants busy. He may
not be as much in evidence for the next
eight months as some Of his rivals. but
this will be because of the necessity of
his being so much in evidence after Con-
gress meets. Governor McKinley's oppor-
tunity is now, and he is wisely improving
It. His public appearances all attract at
tention-in the first place, because they
deserve to, and in the second place. be-
cause the field Is open. But when Con-
gress meets Congress will be the sole at
traction. No other card will draw half so
well during the time that body may be in
session. The whole country will compose
the audience, and the interest will be in
tense. Then, in a large measure Reed will
all the stage. He will be by far the most
conspicuous member of the cast, and upon
his actions and suggestions great deal
will depend. Neither Mckinley nor Har-
-rison, nor any one of the others can hope
for much of a hearing while Congress un-
der Reeds guidance is shaping up the
legislation OF the session."
Reed, then, Will ride something of
waiting race?" was asked.
A Waiting Race in One Sense.
"a waiting race in this: He must see the
leld Strengthened out before he can tell
how to ride. Mckinley has this advantage
over Reed at the present time. He sees his
way, and how If he can hope to win at
all, he must move. The tariff is the issue
with him, and the Wilson bill has shaped it
to his liking. He is ready to go before the
country as the case stands now. But not
% with Reed. He must wait for the next
Congress. and see what that body contrib
utes fails to contribute, to the stock of
ISSUES. Issues more important than the
tariff issue are booked for some action, and
on this may depend Reeds whole chance of
success. His own part in the work will be
important, and if he trips, or hesitates, or
ln any way or measure impairs the pres
tge he now enjoys as man of prescience
and resolution, the whole game may be up
with him. But he will lose no ground be-
cause of inattention, or sleepiness, and Gov
Mckinley knows this. Hence the early
energy of the governor and his wise deter
nination TO allow no grass to grow under
his own feet"