The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-11

II the member answered TO his name he
was present. If he did not answer he was
not present. although he might be sitting
In his seat on the floor of congress. The
refusal to answer to his name gave every
member OF the house the power to indulge
In what has come TO be known in parlia-
mentary tactics as filibustering Reed had
gone on record as being opposed 10 these
'actes OF obstruction, but IL Is probable
hat few, II any, of the members of the
aouse knew when Reed was elected speak
er that he was going to cast precedents to
the winds, and to embark in something
absolutely new and revolutionary In the
matter OF parliamentary procedure in the
house
When the Fifty-frst congress met 1t is
probable that Reed had already formed
his plan 10 do this. The Republican ma
jority was a narrow one. The Democratic
minority had very many able leaders who
contested the organization of the house
aud the conduct of its business at every
point. pntiI finally the great day came.
When Springer OF Illinois. In one of the
most exciting scenes which the house has
ever witnessed asked Reed by what au-
thorfsy he counted men az present who
had not answered TO their names. Reed
replied that he did IL under the author
ify of general parliamentary law" This
reply has become one Of the famous say
ings In political parlance.
I; was In February 1890 tina, Mr. Reed
first counted quorum. There were not
Republicans enough present TO constitute
a quorum, which is. of course one more
than half the number of members OF the
house. Sickness and absence had reduced
The Republican membership below that
point, and when the roll call disclosed tina;
fact there was hush in the house and
moment of great expectancy. Mr.. Reed
quietly noted the presence of enough Dem
ocrats 10 make quorum and announced
that quorum was present" The Dem
ocratic minority protested in the most
vigorous manner against the use of power
hat Reed successfully carried his point
AeCreary. OF Kentucky. who was one of
sne men Reed noted as being present
arose and asked how Reed knew he was
| present. Reed replied in his insmitahIe
6rawi. and In tones OF greatest sarcasm:
| Does the gentleman deny that he is
| present.
| This was but sample OF his replies
4 from the chair. Scene after scene OF the
| greatest tunult and disorder followed and
/ every time Reed counted a quorum The
Democratic minority protested vehem-
| entity.
| IL is not the purpose 20 recite here al
| the stormy scenes ana incidents OF the
| riotous Fifiy-drst congress- Reed has
3
! ing 10 the tactics OF the Democrats MI
novity during that session He says:
/ They made the air vocal with their pro-
/ tests" They did much more than this.
| but with his party a. his hack in solid
| array, Mr.. Reed rode down all opposite
| At last the session % congress came TO =
! close, ana with st Reeds services as
sneaker. AZ the closing day OF the session,
/ March 4 lSal. the usual vote of thanks 10
| the speaker was proposed This had al
| WAYS been = somewhat perfunctcry Per
i foTmaHce hut y WAS rot 50 in this case
The Democrats refused 20 vote for Il. and
| the yeas ana nays were taken On i rs
upon any ordinary measure OF course.
| u was carried. the Republicans all going
or record IN Us favor, and when AZ last
! ttae hands ~ the house clock marked fhe
| hour % noon. when by law the Fiftv-firs,
eongrvss came 10 an end ssre Democrats
| shouted themselves hoarse. threw docu-
| rssntS. hats. hss9ksrchsefx ana almost
! everything movable tr;o the air ard had
/ a general 3olhacatlon. Reed never show
| FL she siightsst consern ever the action o.
/ the Democrats IN refusing 10 tender hin,
the vote ~ thanks ard 4. &c quite trps
that he Gid not care about Il one way or
! the other
! Never bot once aursng Is seryie. az
! nearly twenty years n TIE house hss Reed
he~n accused OF dishonesty and this
| charge MAS not taken seriously. ard has
heen forgotten. Reeds rugged honesty.
| sofi9 no mere re quest .oreS In waShtnx-
ton cry. even hy his hleterext geas thai
| would MS intellectual aSiser. ard .Ae
story - recalled ker@ xsmr1y 70 show
Reeds manner % trsstt.g the rszt.e~.
4 Nes York S2tiy newspaaer sha1rNs Il
Nsa discovers scraeshsng wFeng IN same
| hiI reEz rffas tse Na-shg-z pa~ss, ~ags-
| read. zna that Reed was s-spss~stes A
| representative q tae pspe~ ezrr.a - wass,-
| tnxson Cts e zee k3ssf ahoWs T. Read
| Eae y fnE Ae'sse ard busy ana cssis -ot
| come 0ss % see the correspondent az fasr
| tAas ssazse- 50 she satzeF sent n 4 rsfs,sr
saHcy ness 70 Reed. sayias he wossld give
c-n ITO Gays 30 set e-aSess rigas, and