New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-23
retain considerable portion Of their revenues;
but II they fight they are certain to lose ALL
Ex.spEAKER REEDS RETIREMENT.

Ex-Speaker Thomas B. Reed has put an end
TO much frivolous speculation by sending to the
Governor Of Maine his resignation as member
OF the LVIth Congress No one who knows Mt
Reed can have doubted that this has been bis
settled intention ever since he announced last
spring that he would not seek reelection 10
the Speakership, but would devote his undi-
v!ded energies hereafter TO the practice OF his
profession. 1t was evident that after engaging
himself to enter law firm in this city he could
not with propriety return TO Washington as a
casual holdover, abseDtee representative of the
Portland district. II was equally evident that
after leaving the field absolutely clear for the
election of another Republican Speaker Mr..
Reed could not with dignity or graciousness re-
sumo his membership Of the House. to the I'M
avodabe embarrassments Of his party col
leagues and their newly chosen chief.
Unlike most American politicians, Mr.. Reed
has preferred to abandon public life in the
plentude Of power and ut the full height OF a
successful career His vigorous mentality and
exceptional strength of will had undoubtedly
given him a place unique in American politics.
Realizing more completely than any Of his pred
ecessors the powers latent in the Speakers
office he had expanded its political authority to
limits undreamed Of in the earlier history Of
the Republic Through the force of his per-
sonality-expressed In the theory that all legis-
lation permitted TO be enacted should carry the
final Seal of his approval-the Speakership had
been raised during his incumbency to be one Of
the greatest roles under the Federal scheme Of
covernment-next in actual power TO the Pres-
dental function itself. There have been com
plants both within and without the House OF
Representatives Of this extreme expansion Of
the powers Of the Speakership. But the revolu-
ton in the traditions and practices of the
office has been accomplished, and its conse-
quences will continue, now that the forcefu
innovator who bent the lower branch of Con-
gress to his famous system OF parliamentary
rules in 1890 has decided to carry his energies
into wholly different sphere
This is not the time to attempt an elaborate
measure OF Speaker Reeds political career In
keenness of intellect he encountered few equals
and no superiors in the field OF National politics
In breadth Of Judgment, liveiness of sympathies
and that quick appreciation of the drift and
current Of popular feeling which mark the sue
cessful political leader, history VIII Judge him
perhaps less fortunate. certain lack OF toll
Grafton qualified and neutralized the respect
imposed by the keenness of his political vision
and the audacity Of his party generalship. But
whatever the counter defects imposed by his
more salient positive qualities, he remains
figure Of the first Importance in American pol
tics on whose brilliant public activities fms is
certainly yet to be written. 1t is trite refec-
ton that in Mr.. Reeds retirement New-York
City will gain what Washington loses; but In
the cheerful spirit which this compensatng sug-
gestion induces we welcome the ex-Speaker to
his new field of application and achievement.