The San Francisco call., 1896-10-30
SPEAKER REEDS ARRIVAL.
Loses No Time in Inspecting San
Jose's improvements.

Loses No Time in Inspecting San
Jose's Improvements.
SAN JOSE CAL, Oct. 29.-Speaker
Thomas B. Reed and his party consisting
of Congressman Frank Aldrich of Chi
cago, Charles NJ. Shortridge and Miss
Kittie Reed, the daughter of the distin-
guished statesman, arrived in this city
from Stockton on a special train shortly
after II o'clock this morning. A special
committee from the Santa Clara County
Central Committee consisting of Colonel
Hersey, D. H. G. Brown, ]. P. Fay and E.
A. Hayes met the party at Niles and ac-
com anied them to this city, where they
were met at the broad-gauge depot by
large delegation of the County Committee
and escorted to the Hotel Vendome.
Miss Kittie Reed was the recipient of
special attention from the committee of
young ladies, consisting of Misses Emily
and May Doyle, Misses Mabel and Grace
Adel and Misses Florence and Hazel
Park. Miss Reed was taken TO the Ven
dome in a handsome four-in-hand turn
out, where she was entertained at lunch
con. In the afternoon the daughter of the
distinguished statesman was accompanied
through the suburbs of San jose. She ex-
pressed her delight at the beauties of this
county and the hospitality shown her by
the committee.
After luncheon at the hotel Speaker
Reed and Congressman Loud went for
stroll about the city. Mr.. Reed lived here
in 1868 and studied law and was admitted
to practice here. Speaker Reed expressed
his desire to the committee TO be allowed
a part of the afternoon to himself, in order
that he might go about the city. OF course
this request was complied with.
When the committee recited the ar
rangements which had been made for the
evening, Speaker Reed was hearty in his
expression of thanks for the consideration
shown him, and stated that he did not
think q better arrangement could have
been made for the comfort of the people
who should desire to hear-him. Mr.. Reeds
voice was still suffering from the strain to
which it mad been subjected during his
tour through the country, and be was
very much afraid the committee would
make him speak in some vast hall whose
acoustic powers were bad and where he
could be heard by only few and his voice
greatly taxed in an effort to speak very
loud. He stated that by the arrangements
adopted he would be heard by many more
people and his voiceleit in some condition
for his San Francisco address.
Accompanied by Congressman Eugene
T. Loud, whom he spoke of as his per
sonal FRIEND" Mr.. Reed walked through
the business part of town and out Santa
Clara street as far as Coyle Creek. Speaker
Reed expressed his delight but not sur
prise at what he saw. Upon his return to
the hotel he said:
San Jose has but fulfilled my expecta
tions of what it would be. When / lived
here in 1868 1t was a very small but even
then very pretty place. / knew it would
grow and become fine city. for l saw
what d fertile valley there was about it.
The nature of the improvements struck
me very forcibly, and they are credit to
the people and to the city government.
The streets are about as pretty as you will
find anywhere. and the portions of the
city have seen have a clean and prosper
Gus appearance. / knew the valley was
very rich, but / must say its fertility has
surprised me. 1t is a delightful place to
live, and l shall always remember my
residence here as well as my occasional
visits with great pleasure, and the people
of the county can always count upon me
to assist them in any way in which my
official position may enable me-"
This afternoon Mr.. Reed was called
. upon by large. delegation of natives of
Maine residing in this county, who
through their spokesman, S. A. Barker,
expressed their desire to shake hands with
their honored countryman.
Mr.. Reed received: the delegation in an
affable manner and after shaking hands
all round expressed his delight at seeing
representatives from his State. G. P.
Berry, who was among the delegation,
was at once recognized as an old friend of
the Speaker.
Colonel John S. Mosby, known inter-
nationally as the guerrilla of the Con-
federate army, who was for seven years
United States Minister to China, came
down from San francisco this morning to
pay his respects to Mr.. Reed and the
meeting of the old soldier and the states
man was very cordial. Colonel J. P.
Jackson, the San Francisco orator, arrived
this afternoon, and was the recipient of
much attention at the hands of the Re-
publican committee and the prominent
men OF this city who congregated in the
lobby Of the Vendome to entertain the
visitors.