The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-25
CAMPBELL LOOMING Up.
His Contest with Reed of Maine Re
chilled ana Relnted.

called ana Related.
Washington. Aug. 2i-some Of cx-Gov.
James CampbeHs friends are claiming
that he is the coming western man for
the democratic leadership in the next ma
tional convention. One of his relatives,
who is temporarily residing in this city,
says that was his object in accepting the
nomination for governor in Ohio last
Wednesday. Whatever may have induced
Mr.. Campbell to respond to the call Of
his party, when they gave him the nomi-
ination by acclamation. he looms up at
present as the central figure in the western
democracy. There is no doubling his per-
sonal courage. and his public utterances
have stamped him as a man of more than
ordinary ability.
His advancement as a national politician
dates from the day he locked horns with
the redoubtable Tom Reed over a private
claim, under consideration in the House
of Representative The circumstances of
that incident are worthy Of a repetition at
this period Jim Campbell. as he was
called by his friends. was a new member
of the House and was serving his first
term in the national legislature. 1t was
private bill day in the House and there
were but a few members of the body
present, and the public and press galleries
were nearly deserted. The writer strolled
into the press gallery in search Of a
local item. A bill providing for the pay
ment of a small claim, in the interest Of
an Ohio family, was under consideration.
Tom Reed, who seldom takes part in the
discussion OF private claims, was appar7
emily much interested in the defeat of the
pending measure and he had evidently
been coached" as to some of the details
bearing upon the claim. 1t developed sub
sequently that he had been badly train
ed" in this instance, for he made several
misstatements as to the facts involved.
The friends of the bill seemed afraid to
make a contest with the political giant
from Maine, and he was about to deal
the bill a knock out" blow. Suddenly a
young man who was apparently
stranger to a majority OF those present.
arose and asked Tom Reed several very
pointed questions.
who is that little chap bucking up
against. Reed?" asked several members
in a chorus.
Hes from Ohio, and his name is Camp
bell" was the reply.
1t did not take the members of the
House long to discover In2t CatQpDell was
entirely familiar with the facts in the
case, for as he stated, the claimant lived
in his own town in Ohio. At first Tom
Reed was disposed to treat the young man
from Ohio with disdaln, but the newcomer
would not be ignored, and he fired hot
shot into Reed with an effectiveness that
was painful to the admirers of the big
man from Maine. The democrats gather
ed around Mr.. Campbell, ana several Of
them volunteered to help him, but he
coIly replied: Let me answer the gentle
man from Maine, for | am thoroughly IA
miliar with this case, while he thinks he
is" This assuring remark was greeted
with applause on the democratic side for
it was apparent to all present that Mr..
Campbell was entirely at home in rough
and tumble debate.
1t was one of the most animated scenes
ever presented in congress for what the
attendance lacked in numbers it made
up in enthusiasm. Reed struggled to dis
concert the young David" by hurting at
him some Of his most caustic wit and per-
sonalties 1t was a battle royal for about
fifteen minutes and so completely did Mr.
Campbell prove that Reed did not know
what he was talking about that the latter
few into passion and tried to bulldoze
his youthful opponent This was the open
ing Mr. Campbell was waiting for, and he
followed with a terrible arraignment of
Reed and the latter for once was unable
to get back with one of his characteristic
retorts, but ANONYMOUSLY retrsated from
the hall, leaving Mr.. Campbell the victor.