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

Hon. Thomas B. Reed. speaker of the
national house OF representatives. will ar
rive In Seattle today. lie will be given .
very cordial welcome. not only from MEM
beers of the political party with which he
happens 20 affiliate. but from all citizens
generally. He will be heartily greeted not
because he Is a leading Republican. but
for the reason that he ID an example OF
what this country can produce in the way
there Is NO community In the land which
is not anxious always to show courtesies
to big men. no matter what their parricu-
lar political beliefs may be-
Mr. Reed has been much In the public
eye during rhe past few years. but there
reer, however unusual may be his genius
and his abilities. His political record has
not been that of . meteor which has sud-
denly come out IN ali Its brilliancy to an
Gstonished view. lie has risen to fame
slowly through force OF uncommon intel
caught the fancy OF the people and been
suddenly brought into prominence by Pc
cui.Ar existing circumstances or through
enlistment as a soldier In some fieetins
cause. IT Is only after twenty years con-
sinuous service as a congressman from
the arst Maine district. during which he
has had to be tested with the brightest
and most brilliant minds OF all the coun-
try. that he has demonstrated his ster-
ling qualities as a statesman and his re.
markable abilities as u leader of men.
Mr. Reeds success az a public man is an
extraordinary testimonial to his state. as
well - to himself. Al Is scarcely half
decade since that Mr.. Blaine, also from
Maine. was the Idol OF half his party
throughout the land. His unusual bril-
Aancy and immense popularity in the East
as well as In the West, necessarily
abridged the homage paid to other strong
men from the same section. and II could
only be person Of unusual caiiber who
could follow in Mr.. Blaine's footsteps as
a prince of parliamentarlans." leader
Of leaders," and a marvelousiy skillful de-
batter who merited admiration from both
friend and foe alike. Mr.. Reed was man
of such caliber. and within the last few
years the country has been compelled to
recognize him as ono of the strong and
striking characters of the last quarter Of
the century.
or course Il is Mr.. Reeds record as
speaker OF the house that has brought him
into especial prominence as one of thu
great men of his party and of the coun-
Try. There have been remarkably able
men in the chair of the presiding officer.
but none before who have shown such
courage and commanding force as that
displayed by Mr.. Reed during the stormy
sessions of the F4ftleth congress. He out
lined his course and adhered 20 Ii and ali
the pent-np passions of an enraged oppo-
slfion never for a moment ruffled HIM or
tempted him even temporarily 10 swcrve
from his purpose. II Is enough to say that
his rulings have substantially been upheld
by court and country. The practical, In
,orssment of has quorum counting was
weil said at the time TO have been the
creates, personal triumph that has been
recorded for any man during the last flfsy
years.
For ten years Mr.. Reed has been the un-
contested leader Of his party in the popu-
lar branch of congress and unless al signs
fail he viii continue TO be such until he
voluntarily rclinauishes that leadership.
lie Is bold and bTainy. its acts as Wen as
thinks. and invariably his actions are along
broad. commensurate lines that merit APP
prevail. lie Is nos an unknown quantity.
3he people are acquainted with the char
acser of the stun cs which he Is made. II
Is a good. durable fbsr. lie has been
tested and tried and not found wanting.
That Is why the American people today
held him n such high regard and are
anxious 10 do him honor.
Owing 20 the remote location Of the Pa
elf. Northwest. the leading public men Of
she country have not visited this section
50 otfen "a the people here might have
wished. Tasre has always been thera~
fore. genuine eagernsss 10 extend gem
| srous hospitality 10 persons Of eminence
who sray have crossed a continent that
Who may have crossed continent In
order In see what a mighty empire is
the United States. Tnsy have all been
welcome. bat naHe more so than Thomas
Il. Reed viii be today.