The Republican journal., 1896-04-02
Letter from Washin gton, d. c.
Especial Correspondence of The Journal

With the exception of the presidency
itself, there is not more responsible or
difficult office under our tri- fold system of
government than the Speaknl ship of the
National House of Representatives.
Charged with the organization of the
many important committees of this great
Legislative body, the presiding officer is
held 10 a strict accountability by the PEG
pie not only for all the unpopular legis-
iation which is oftentimes rushed through
at unguarded moments, but for the fail
ure of Congress to legislate as well, Yet
those gentlemen who a few short months
ago were loudly proclaiming that an ac-
ceptance by Hon. Thomas Bracket Reed
of the general managership of the nation
al legislative machinery would only be to
hamper him in the attainment OF his
higher aspirations for political preferment,
reckoned without their host, for he has
steadily gained ground in public estima-
ton.
Whatever may be the faults of the dis
tinguished Speaker, and he is decidedly
human, he never allows his massive brain
to become turned, either by the fattery
of his friends, or by the fire of the op-
position. To an observer from the gal
lery'' it is evident that this is the predom-
inant trait in Mr.. Reeds character, and
accounts, more than anything else, for
his wonderful success in presiding over
So difficult a body as the House OF Rep
resentatives, whether it is controlled by a
narrow margin of his political friends, or
as in the case of the Fifty fourth Con-
gress by an overwhelming, and what
might prove to be under the leadership of
a less skillful OF inexperienced man, an
unwieldly majority. While at times it
may appear to the casual visitor as if the
Speaker allows the lower House to "run
itself, yet in reality Mr.. Reed at all times
holds a tight rein, and never allows even
the slightest detail in the daily proceed
ings to escape his notice. Only on one
occasion during the present session of
\ pilSltHS ItdS tut optdhel dlloN GU Il iiiCHi-
Der of the House to take him unawares-
when Nh Barrett, Il young Republican
member from Massachusetts, introduced
resolutions to censure a fellow member
from South Carolina for words used in the
heat OF debate, and under what the Of
fender considered patriotic impulses, but
which the former considered as a retlec-
ton upon the glory and dignity Of the
Stars and Stripes, and in violation of the
oath taken at the commencement of the
term to support and defend the constitu-
ton of the United States. The Speaker,
however, quickly recovered himself, and
by his usual promptness succeeded in
preventing the passage of the resolutions.
Had the chair been occupied by less
adroit, and resolute, and capable politi-
clan the result might have been a wet
blanket upon future Republican prospects
in the south-in section which is just on
the brink of breaking away from its old
time honored political moorings.
AS the probable Republican candidates
for the presidency the daily routine of
he Speaker is interesting, but it is doubt
full if he enjoys the life, for it is hard
one, and such as any man might we'll
shrink from entering upon Most of the
''telling" work connected with his legis-
lative duties, or with his campaign for the
ST. Louis nomination, is conducted in the
solitude of night in company with his
efficient Secretary, Mr.. Allen, when it is
possible to be free from vexatious inter
ruptions. 1t is said that very often Mr..
Reed and his Secretary do not retire to
II st until two clock in the morning Mr..
Reed is not noted as being very early
riser, bat unless sitting up later than
usual the night before he usually arrives
at his rooms in the capitol about ten
o. clock in the morning, and the interval
between that hour and the assembling of
the House at noon is spent in receiving
social calls, delegations, and meml ers who
are anxious to secure recognition from the
Speaker during what is known in legisla-
tive parlance as the ''morning hour"
Most of the important business of the
House of Representatives is conducted
within the first hour after assembling,
when bills are disposed of by unanimous
consent. In order to avoid breakers it is
necessary that the Speaker should know
exactly whom he is to recognize, the bills
that are to be brought forward, and their
provisions. The matter of recognition is
not SO easy task as might appear from
the galleries, but it requires much study
and considerable tact, for there is always
danger of turning a warm supporter into
bitter political enemy.
Speaker Reed is, however, man of
tact, and it is a noticeable fact that w lille
the House is in Committee of the Whole,
and he is for the time being free from the
restraints incident to the Speakership, he
is more often seen conversing with Demo-
Gratis than with his own political friends
Mr.. ICED has said of himself that he can
best make up his mind as to what course
to pursue in public matters by ascertain
ing the views of the minority and that
the most satisfactory manner of ascertain