The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-12
The Hon. Thomas B. Reed.

Perhaps the gentleman most interest
ed I'm scanning the returns OF the re-
cent elections with view TO determin-
ing just what the Republican majority.
If any in the national house OF repre-
sentatives OF the next congress is like
~ to be is the Hon. Thomas r. Reed.
Of Portland, Me. The impression seems
10 be generally INDUCED in by Repub-
Leans that a majority of their party in
the house means the reelection OF Mr.
Reed 10 the speakeFship. This Is by
no means an assured fact; indeed, the
closeness OF the margin above the Dem
ocrats Is a danger point which Mr..
Reed himself no doubt has already
| recognized. This Is not 10 say that a
Republican speaker will not be elected,
but only 10 suggest that some other
man than Mr.. Reed may be the choice
Of the Republicans in the next con
gress. and for the following reasons:
Mr.. Reed has occupied that Office DUR
Ing two congresses. He has been a
representative in congress continuous
iy for tweEty-three years. While his
intellectually and ability are recog-
nized 10y all. Mr.. Reed is. unfortunately
for himself afflicted with a tempera-
alienated from him many who would
have been glad to have maintained
themselves upon the roll OF h,- friends
The gentleman from '.alne has been
a great controlling force OF the Repub-
lican party ~ the lower house OF con-
gIess for considerable period. But
dr-.ns that time no man on the floor.
II may be fairly said. has created more
enemies among his party associates.
The personnel OF the next house. stin
ar unknown quantity. must be taken
Into account before the question OF the
spcakership can be decided During
the long series Of years when Mr. Reed
Was only a representative he was con-
spicuous FOR his ill-natured manner
isms and sarcastic and cutting remarks
20 many or his party colleagues. There
are a large number OF wounds still
ranking In the breasts OF men who
/ have received snubs al his hands and
who have hitherto swallowed their
mc rtification and embarrassment, be-
| lieving that in the mutations OF poll
tics the time might come when they
could return 10 Mr.. Reed little OF
his own medicine.
showed him arrayed against the ad-
ministratfon Of President Mckinley in
connection with the Spanish war. Mr..
Reed brought himself in direct hostil-
ity 70 the executive power. There are
/ doubtless half a dozen men on the Re
publican side Of the house any one OF
whom Mr.. Mckinley would rather see
in the speakers chair than the pom
derous gentleman from Maine. II by
/ any chance the administration inhu-
ence should be stimulated 10 apply
/ against the furtherance OF Mr. Reeds
1 ambition TO succeed himself as speak
/ 81. IL would prove nucleus around
which the Discontinued ones OF the
/ house would gladly rally: and It il
pretty certain that campaign against
/ Mr. Reed which should receive The in
/ dorsement OF the president would re-
suit In a combination upon some other
( choice for the speakership
Already we sre told that Il Is the
/ purpose OF President Mckinley to call
! the next congress together on the Sth
/ OF March. especially with a view 10 the
treatment OF the monetary and curren-
| ey propositions embodied in the ST
/ Louis platform. the promised legisla-
! ton concerning which failed OF enact
/ n,ent in the first session OF the pres
/ ent congress. owing. ostenslbly. TO the
advent OF the war declaration II Ia
4 not believed that during the three
months OF the coming short session
I anything can be accomplished bearing
/ upon these important subjects. Nor is
/ II at all likely that much progress can
/ be made in legislation pertaining TO
/ the annexation OF Hawaii. Porto Rico
! and possibly the Philippines Mr.. Reed
/ is known 10 be inirlical TO all these
schemes for expansion. The power
! which he can exercise as presiding Of
| flcer OF the house is fully appreciated
by the president IL would be only
I natural that he should prefer that the
| speaker be In harmony with his own
| views. Having been honOred by his
party with two elections. Mr.. Reed has
no claims upon his colleagues for ele-
walton to that office 8 third time
There are other men of long expert
! ence who are as thoroughly expert
/ pSrliamentarians as Mr.. Reed and who
would accomplish party ends without
resort 10 the brutal methods which
have rendered his name notorious in
! connection With parliamentary bodies
These are some thoughts which are
akin. no doubt, 70 those which are
fiutfeFing in the brain Of the gentle
man from Maine az this critical mo-
! ment when he csntemplates the mar
row Republican majority OF thirteen in
the next houssNcf representatives.