New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-21
we are persuaded that there is ample 5ustihca-
ton for the defeat Of this hasty and partial
vP REED IN NEw-YORK.

The announcement that Speaker Reed Is to re-
sign from Congress and take up the practice OF
the law in this city Is n cause for rejoicing anu
n cause for regret Such men as Mr.. Reed the
Nation can III spare from public life. Inc poll
t,cIan and organizer is always with us. The
men who dominate public affairs by the sheer
force of powerful personality are few In any
country and at any time. The ordinary ma
chinery of politics runs on In about the same
way regardless Of the particular engineer IN
charge of any part of 1t. He may be highly
competent and really be of great consequence
but his retirement does not seem to create the
same void as does the retirement of person or
brilliant individuality who comes to be known
less for the place he holds or even the actual
work he does, than for what he is
Mr.. Reed mas so long played an important
part in Congress that 1t is hard to think OF
Washington as not containing him. His cour-
age and audacity have given him reputation
far beyond that ordinarily belonging to a
Speaker great as is the power Of That once.
The antagonism inspired by his methods OF
compelling the House 10 do business lhcreaseu
his fame. and while It made him for time the
object Of much bitterness. in the end even his
opponents came to pay tributes TO his character
and ability and to speak Of him with the Ut
most kindness Never at any time did they
question his integrity and disinterestedness
and their complaints really were that he was
too strong a partisan and too daring and re-
sourcefu leader TO please them. But, strong
as his partlsanship certainly Is, be has by no
means been an unthinkng follower in matters
of party policy. Too loyal believer In repre-
sentative government to use his official place TO
block measures resolved upon by the party
which gave him that office, he has never been
backward in declaring his individual views on
great questions and using all his personal power
10 bring his party to agree with him. That IS
true and AZ the same time restrained leadership
which realizes both the value of individuality
and the need of cooperation and discipline In
the work of practical craftsmanship. The re-
tirement Of such a man from the direction OF
affairs is distinct loss 10 the country. The
number Of jobs he has killed. the foolish wastes
of time he has prevented would be difficult to
estimate. Other men may make good Speakers,
but no man can take his place.
Yet in leaving public office Mr.. Reed Will by no
means leave public life. With his ability and
experience he cannot do that Out OF Congress
he will be still leader whose words VIII carry
weight From every State in the Union people
will look to see what Mr.. Reed thinks OH impor-
tant topics As private citizen he will still be
n power, and II at any time he sees fit once
more 10 enter active politics he will do so with
great prestige. The regret which In common
with the rest OF the country New-York Will
feel at seeing Mr. Reed absent from Washing
ton will be offset by qualification over his resi-
dence here. Great as this city $50 great that
the coming or going Of one man seldom makes
much change in It's affarsMr. Reed will surely
be socially and intellectually an important fac
Tor in the life of the metropolis. New-York is
hosptable to successful men who have come
here in middle life as few other cities are. We
have given them Office made them Judges, sent
them TO Congress Mr.. Reed cannot fail to have
a brilliant professional career here. He will
soon be naturaliZed also into our civic life and
find the Empire State ready to regard him as
one Of her own sons.