Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-03-16
VOICES OF THE PRESS.
Rumors About Speaker Reed.
PHILADELPHIA Lelger.l

There have been in circulation of late
various vague rumors that a movement
is on foot to defeat Congressman Reed
for the speakership of the House in the
next Congress, and the reason assigned
for such an attack on the ablest Republic
can in public life is that there are some
legislators and Others who would be glad
to see him superseded by more. pliabe
statesman Some anonymous critics aver
that Speaker Reed is TOO masterful and
controls the House overmuch. The same
criticism was made in 1897. and Speaker
Reed made answer that he was wholly
without authority except such as tn,
House had invested him with; If the
House did not like the rules it could
change them; if it did not like his inter-
pretations it could override him. The
House Immediately gave the speaker IL
simply carried out the will of the House.
and, therefore, the behests of his party in
the past session. If a dissatisfied clique
or faction opposes him and wishes to
sole and only reason the fact that he has
done his duty. Some congressman are
.disgruntled.' it is said, because they
did not get through all the appropriations
they desired for their districts; others are
hostile because Speaker Reed opposed APP
preparations for gigantic Irrigation under
in blindly and foolishly for other schemes
about the merits of which the whole
country is in the dark.
That there is such opposition to Speaker
Reed is credible and natural. Ii is one of
the tests and proofs of the speakers prob
ity, courage and craftsmanship that he
earns the enmity of the lobbyists. job
bers and ''grabbers'' who seek to pervert
legisla ton 10 their own ends. These ele-
ments of the party. fortunately an insg-
nificant minority, would no doubt be glad
to see weak man in place of Congress
man Reed or any other strong man. No
respectable Republican, SO far as we have
heard, has lent his name to this OPPOSE
ton. The movement. If it exists, is name
less. and is made up of feeble elements:
and if the contest comes. 1t will be a
giant against pygmies, with little doubt
of the issue.
There is no man in Congress today who
enjoys in fuller measure than Speaker
Reed the respect admiration and COM
plete confidence of the whole country, and
| his presence in the national councils has
sanity of Congress and in preventing un-
wise and untimely legislation. He has
not played into the hands of any ring.
| nor has he been carried hither and thith-
| er by the intrigueS of any Self-ScekinE
cabal. He has not been swept from his
! feet by every wind that blows, but has
taken his stand on the firm platform of
what he believed to be truth and right
| and mas held his ground tenaciously like
man. He has opinions, and they are
| his own, and. having the courage of his
! convictions. he has made some enemies
! because he has been Il bulwark against
| throttled jobs. banished fraud, obliquity
and solicitation" and put corruption or
| folly to flight with trenchant phrase and
decisive action. There has never been
any imputation on his ability, integrity
or broad craftsmanship and If he does
not typify sturdy Re2ublicanism,, where is
| the standard to be found? Speaker Reed
has courageously and manfully defended
| the interests of the country. The nation
needs such men and will retain his SER