Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-02-21
Hon. Thomas B. Reed.
New York Sunday Advertiser. }


Some one once asked ex-Speaker Reed
for his definition of a statesman, and the
reply was, "A successful politician who
is dead If the next speaker of the ma
tional house is to be judged by his own
cpl therefore, it is not yet correct
to speak of him as statesman, for he is
still very much alive, as sundry gentle
men who sit on the Democratic side of
the House can testify. There are other
definitions of statesman, however, be-
sides the rather cynical one which Mr..
Reed gives, and according to them, the
man from Maine is entitled to stand in
the very front rank of modern American
statesmen.
In 1860 Mr.. Reed graduated from Bow
on 1.-The Fear of Death winning the
composition prize. Although he had de-
termined to study law, he had to begin
by teaching school again, this time in
Portland, for money was still lacking.
Then he went out to California, acting
upon Horace Greeley's advice, and while
he was out there he was admitted to the
bar. 1t was in 1868, while the country
was agitated by the discussion of me legal
tender act, and Mr.. Reed tells story
about his admission to practice by Judge
Wallace afterward Chief Justice of the
state of California.
81 have one question to ask, said
Judge Wallace; is the legal tender act
constitutional
Eyes, sir answered the candidate
promptly.
you shall be admitted at once" said
Judge Wallace. II just examined Tom
Bodley, and he answered No to that
question Well admit you both. Any
one who can answer off hand question
like that ought to be allowed to practice
law right away
ssSoon afterward Reed was made assist
ant paymaster in the United States navy,
and spent year or more cruising up and
down the Mississippi, on board Il tinclad. y
Then the war being at an end, he re-
turned to Maine and was admitted to SUI
preme court practice. From the first he
was successful in the law, and soon gained
unique reputation for his skill in cross
examination. In 1867 he was nominated
for the State Legislature. Judge Nathan
Webb, then county attorney, was offered
the nomination, but he declined, and al
though he knew young Reed only from
having watched his work in court, he had
conceived such a respect for him that he
advised his friends to nominate the strug-
Cling young lawyer
He was elected and reelected, and made
such an impression at Augusta that his
political future was assured. In 1870 he
was sent to the State Senate, and then he
was elected attorney general of Maine.
His rise III his profession and in the coun
ellis of the Republican party of his State
were coincident, and when, in 1876, he
was chosen by the Republicans of the first
district to represent the district in Con-
gress, he was not only one of the leaders
of the Maine bar, but also one of the most
experienced and popular politicians in
State which has produced even more than
its share of leaders in politics and states
manship.
When Mr.. Reed first entered the halls
of Congress he at once attracted atten-
ton, although his personality was as yet
but little known outside of his own State.
His massive size and his face, in which
bland innocence and keen, shrewd wit
seemed to be hopelessly mingled, We're
sufficiently unique to make him one of
the most interesting figures among the
new members of the House. And he had
not been long in his seat before his easy
self-possession in debate, his forcible style
of speaking his sharp, stinging repartee
and his limitless capacity for work
stamped him as one of the most valuable
recruits to his side of the House. and one
of the most dreaded opponents in the
chamber
His first national reputation was gained
as member of the Potter investigating
committee of 1877, which was appointed
to investigate the presidential election of
the centennial year in the Southern states.
Mr.. Reeds forte as lawyer lay in cross
and the work Of this COM
mittee gave him plenty of opportunity TO
exercise his effective methods of examin-
ing witnesses. For two whole days he
devoted himself TO making one clever
scoundrel admit that he was forger. and
most of the dramatic incidents o. the
in which the Tilden cipher
code was discovered and made public,
We're the result of the skillful cross ex-
of the young member from
Maine
Year by year Mr. Reeds influence in
Congress increased, and his national fame
He became as famous for his
wit and sarcasm in debate as the late
9 Sunset" Cox, and whenever he rose to
speak in debate or in discussion, the |
chamber and the galleries were sure to be
filled
But although it took the country some
time to find it out, drollery and sarcasm
We're not Mr.. Reed chief claims to fame
In committee work he was indefatigable, |
and displayed Judgment as well as energy |
In argument and logic his speeches
yielded to none delivered in Congress- and |
In parliamentary procedure he displayed
a readiness and fertility of resource which !
marked him out as the most trusted
leader of the Rnnuhlican side Of the |