New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-20
THE SPEAKER AND THE METROPOLIS

An Interesting report about Speaker Reed has
been revived within day or two. The story
IS that Mr.. Reed does not care to prolong his
career In Congress, and is coming 10 New-York
to live: not because ne is tired Of public life. but
because he sees here opportunities to crafty
larger ambition than Congressman from
Maine, even though ne may be able to COM
mand the great Office Of Speaker from any Re-
publican House, can reasonably cherish. 1t Is
Represented. in brief, that ne wants to be Pres
ldent Of tho United States, and believes New
Yorker Of about his size has fair chance TO
carry of that splendid prize In the not distant
future; that he understands Just how earnestly
the Republican party Of this State demands a
leader capable Of enlistinX Its loyal support
in the promotion Of sound principles and poll
cies, and considers himself equal to the task
and not undeserving Of the honor II is repre-
scented incidentally also that New-York has great
attractions for him as place Of residence and
professional activity, that he has already estab-
lshed important connections here and that
friends are urging him to identify himself with
the metropolis OF tho United States at the mo-
ment OF It's expansion Into the second city Of
the world.
Speaker Reed Is quoted, how accurately wo
do not know, as saying that there Is no present
foundation for the report; and yet II Is not I'm
probable that no has felt himself drawn toward
New-York by the same forces which are con.
stantly bringing hither men OF eminent talents
who are large factors In tho progress OF their
time, and who take a keen delight In entering
the most strenuous competition which they can
find. Nor would II have been unnatural II no
should have taken into serious account the op-
portuniV which existing political conditions
offer for the swift advancement 10 commanding
influence here Of one OF the foremost Repub
leans IN the country. That he had made any
closer calculation Of chances than this nobody
was authorized TO say, or could say without
taking unmannerly liberties with his name But
Il Is a free country, and Mr.. Reed, II IN fact 10
ever d.d seriously contemplate a removal from
Maine to New-York, was entitled to assume that
he would receive a hearty welcome.
There is one suggestion In the interesting Cos
sip about Speaker Reeds plans which Is cer.ai--
ly false, whatever truth there may DO In tho
rest Of It. He s not coming TO New-York 10
take Senator Platt's place In politics That IS
place for which he has neither inclination nor
capacity. He docs not accomplish tho objects
which are dear to him by the secret manipula-
ton Of small men. II Is impossible to think OF
him as conducting a political Sunday school OF
obseQuious disciples in hotel and thero con-
certing means for using tho power won by ardu-
ous cunning to betray the party into folly and
defeat and mako It's organization hateful alike
TO majority of It's own members and to the
rest Of the community. Speaker Reeds voca-
ton Is to lead his party TO victories Of which
he has helped TO make It worthy. Should he
come 10 New-York It is certain that he would
be as incapable OF taking Mr.. Patt's place as
he would be gulltess OF the faintest wish to
DO so.