The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-22

When Springer OF Illinois, IN one OF the
most exciting scenes which the house has
ever witnessed. asked Reed by what au-
thorisy he counted men as present who
had not answered to their names, Reed
replied that he did 1t under the author
ity Of general parliamentary law" This
reply has become one OF the famous say
fnss In political parisnce.
II was In February. 1880. that Mr. Reed
hrss counted q quorum. There wers
not Republicans enough present TO consti-
tute . quorum. which H. Of course. one
more than half the number Of members of
the house. Sickness and absence had re-
duced the Republican membership below
that point and when the roll call disclosed
that fact there was a hush IN tho house
and a moment of great expectancy Mr..
Reed quietly noted the presence of enough
Democrats 20 make quorum and an
nouneed that a quorum was present"
The Democratic minority protested IN the
most vigorous manner against the use
Of power but Reed successfully carried
his point Mccreary of Kentucky. who
Was one of the men Reed noted as being
present. arose and asked how Reed knew
he was present Reed replied in his mint
table drawl. and In tones OF greatest sar-
casm.
Does the gentleman deny that he is
present."
This was but a sampi. of his replies
from the chair. Scene after scene Of the
greatest sumuit and disorder followed.
aud every time Reed counted a quorum
the Democratic minority protested vehc-
msntN-
II ts not the purpose TO recfie here all
the stormy scenes and incidents of the
rscseus rsfty-Hr~t congress. Reed has
coined a phrase which he IL fond OF apply
ing to the tactics of the Democratic mi
nori,y during that session. He says:
They made the air vocal with their pro-
,ests" They dia much more than this
but with hts party a, hts hack In solid
array. Mr.. Reed rode down all opposition.
At last the session OF congress came 20
a close ard with IL Reefs service as
speaker. A. the closing dag Of the ses-
Sion March T. 1851. the usual vote Of
thank. To che speaker was proposed. This
had alwav been a somewhat persnactory
performance. but II was not - In this case.
The Democrats refused 20 vote for u. and
the yeas AMI rays were taken on IL as
upcu any ordinary measure. OF course.
1, was carried. the Republicans all going
on record In its favor. AMI when at last
tire hands 81 ths house clock marked tire
hour 81 roon. WREN by law the Ftssv-ars:
congress came 20 an end. the Democrats
shouted themselves hoarse threw dccu-
rr~r.s hats handkerchtefs ard almost
everything movable into the air and had
a general tcfHncasser. Reed never show
Ell tho slightest concern over the action Of
the Democrats in refusing TO tender him
the vote % thanks. ard Il Is quite true
ira; he did rot care about il one way or
the other.
Never but once during his service OF
nearly twenty years In the house hss Reed
s~ea accused Of dishonesty. and this
charge was not taken seriously. and has
ss>ru ferxctten- Reefs rugged honesty
woals no NOR be question IN Washing
ton City. even by his hitserest fees. than
vp,,.td his int sife-tazi ability. and the
story Is recalled here simply 20 show
Reeds manner Of treating The matter.
New York daily newspaper thought ~
n.a discoveries something wrong IN some
hi regarding the Northern Pacsse rail-
MAD. and rssas Reed was trnrlseascd- A
represent alive Of tire paper came 20 wash
inrseu CITY u see Kssd about 1t. Reed