New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-21
RETIREMENT OF Mr.. REED
KEEN REGRET EXPRESSED IN VAST.
INGToN.
TRIBUTES TO THE MAINE STATESMAN FROM
MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATION
LIVELY CONTEST FOR THE
sPEAKERsHIP EXPECTED.
fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE


Washington. April 20-Nothing in recenA
years has excited so much interest In Washing.
ton as the probable retirement from Congress
OF Thomas b. Reed. II can fairly and truth
fully be said that among men In public and
official life. from President Mckinley down. the
probability. which II is almost universally BE-
lieved is soon to become a certainty is regarded
with keen regret. In advance Of any definite
expression from Mr.. Reed himself. they are un-
willing. with few exceptions to give public
voice to their own feelings. but in private con-
versaton they express themselves with the ut.
most freedom. They do not indulge in plati.
tudes, which would not be worth quoting. but
speak with deep and sincere regret Of the loss
that the country and his party must suffer on
account Of Mr. Reeds retirement from public
life and the public service in which he has
borne so honorable. influential and distinguished
a part for the last twenty years.
NOT OPPOSED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
It has become the fashion to say that the Adj
ministration was violently opposed to the Maine
statesman, and that IT would try TO down Reed
II IL dared" That was not true as 10 the Ad-
ministration. although II may have been so as
TO some OF its supporters. Some Of the highest
praise bestowed on him and some OF the most
appreciative estimates Of his genius. character
and services uttered In the hearing Of The
Tribunes correspondent to-day were by mem-
bers and officials OF the Administration who are
among the warmest supporters OF the President.
It might have been true, OF course, That some
~ these expressions were inspired by q happy
feeling in the minds Of some who believed tnat
the voluntary retirement of Mr.. Reed would re-
lieve situation which, in their opinion, mad be"
come somewhat awkward In party sense
Tbora mo however.
ton, but in many other parts OF the country WHO
rejoice In the belief that Mr. Reed Will not again
sit In Congress or WELD the speakers gaVeI. fie
has been the most resourceful ana relentless Ioe
of Jobs and tobbers that they have ever encouh-
tered -.
OF Mr.. Reeds public career since he entered
Congress 1t is unnecessary 10 give nis spor,
here Nearly everybody is familiar with IL rom
the time when, minority member or tno
famous Potter Committee TO investigate ,h7
Hayes Tden election Of 1876. he distinguishes
himself by his brilliant and successful cross
examination of Samuel j. Tden. Manton Mar
Bile Guy r. Peton and others, down to the
present
THE sPEAKERsHIP CONTEST.
The retirement OF Mr.. Reed will open the vista
of an interesting contest for the Speakership OK
the House In the LVIth Congress. OF course, X
he had remained, or should remain, there would
be no such contest, for his reelection was a
foregone conclusion. Assuming that he VIII
not do So Speakershp gossip is just now very
lively. round dozen OF candidates nave al
ready been placed in the field by their alert
and Jealous partisans The number VIII speed"
lily dwindle but enough will remain to make an
interesting IL not exciting race Happily, the
majority of the House of Representatives has
a number Of men in its ranks any one OF whom
could credtably perform the duties OF Speaker
now that Thomas b. Reed has blazed the way
BOOMING HEPBURN FOR SPEAKER
He IS SAID TO HAVE THE SOLID SUPPORT OF
THE IOWA DELEGATION.
Clarinda. Iowa. April D.-Friends Of Congressman
Hepburn whose home is IN this city, have organ-
ICED a movement to boom him for the Speakership
OF the next House Of Representatives. They say
advices received from different parts OF the State
indicate that Colonel Hepburn will receive the solid
support OF the Iowa delegation.
THE EX-sPEAKER MAY SAIL TOMORROW.
Sneaker Thomas B. Reed is still at the Hotel
Manhattan and yesterday declined TO say anything
about his purpose OF becoming a resident OF New
York and practising law here. Mr.. Reed intended
10 sail for Europe on Wednesday. but business mat
tiers detained him. II said yesterday that he
would probably sail tomorrow IL he could get MS
he would certainly go by next Wednesday.
CALL TO ST. MARKS DECLINED.