Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-12-29

To be recognized as possible presi-
Dental timber early IN his career is
the worst thing that can befall the pub
lie man who has dreams Of the distlnc-
ton Of occupying the White House
Such was the state Of Thomas Brack-
EFT Reed OF Maine He had not served
the first section Of his term in Con-
gress before he was recognized as
presidential timber Perhaps his pred
ecessor In the Speakers chair from the
same State, had recognized his quail
tiles before his arrival In the national
capital but Il did not take long for his
compeers OF Congress TO realize that
giant, mentally and morally as well
az physically, had come among them
All the medlocres scented danger; in
dlyidual ambition raised the red flag
Of warning, and individual ambitions
rallied under II TO repel the advance
Of an intruder in the domain they
valnly imagined their own. The war;
covert undermined and concealed
man Of the party OF his political faith
was denied his laudable ambition. A
hornet may not be a president Of the
United States, but II can sting and
when a sufficient number combine,
they can sting TO death
Mr. Reed was not without honor,
gained IN his own State before he went
10 Washington In early manhood he
was assistant paymaster in the United
States navy, leaving the navy, how
ever. In 1854, returning 10 the city Of
his birth portland. Me- where short
~ after he began THE practice Of law.
lie entered public life four years later
IN becoming a member of the lower
branch OF the Maine Legislature After
two years service In that house he
was elected 10 the state senate. In
seven years Of practice OF the law he
had gained such widespread recogni-
ton OF HE legal ability that he was
chosen attorney general OF the State.
From 1874 10 1917 he was solicitor for
the city Of Portland and IN 1876 was
elected TO Congress taking his seat In
1871 since which time. or until
March 8. 1889 a period Of twenty-five
years. he was without intermssion a
member OF the House Of Representa-
tlves and. az speaker, presided over
eight sessions.
Early taking his rank In the House
as a keen, subtle and able debater, Mr.
Reed was regarded as formidable
foe and a powerful and resourceful ally
IN all the discussions taking posses
sion Of the House, yet he was not
considered an orator Such he was not
then and such he Is not today; nature
has denied him some necessary physical
qualities and some OF the attributes Of
the oratorcal temperament Literary
quality he has, but not the fervid and
glowing Imagination that lifts 20 elo-
guent height, and his voice, drawing
In It's accents and nasal in its tones, Is
decidedly against a reputation for ora
tory. But. In marvellous clearness OF
statement, keen searching analysis, In
power OF argument, In that peculiar
activity Of mind which enables him TO
keep abreast with the shifting currents
Of debate, In readiness In meeting un-
expected attack. IN q marvellous mem
DRY that enables him 10 summon for IN
slant use all he has read, or heard, -
has seen Of the subject under debate,
In wonderful facility Of retort and In
extraordinary ingenuity In turning the
trend 10 the advantage Of his own CON
tention, during the long term ~ his
service. he was without superior-in-
deed without equal
Pre- eminently he Is debater and
when on the floor, ever ready for the
fray into which he seemed 10 rush with
JoyOusness. he was an antagonist 20 Dc
feared with whom only the most val
liant OF the opposition crossed larees,
and then, only when armed ana
equipped and fairly sure OF theit
ground He was the leader Of his par
" and dominated H. In the speakers
chair, when elevated 10 H. he was
force and power Beyond that which
had before been known. The office OF
speaker In any hands Is a powerful Of
tee, In the hands OF q man OF force
and power who can WELD the majority
and discipline Il into the subsection |
mat this Speaker DID It is omnipotsnt
Physically. Mr. Reed is large man
big In frame, tall OF stature and |
heavy In aVordupois. HIS head Is |
arge and round. with a towering fore |
head. rising 10 conspicuous dome |
Where the phrenologlst locates The NOR 4
n organs. His face is In utter contra
ilction 10 the rest OF his make up ana |
contradiction IN Itself His nose Is IN
lgnificant. denying from the physiog' |
homlst's standpoint that purpose which /
u unquestionably q leading character
site OF the man. But the eyes above
u IN their blue lights fash with power
md control. The first impression Il
hat the face Is lnfantile but Il quickly
passes with study when under the folds
n flesh the square jaw f. observed Al
together HIS IL an impressive PERSONAL
~ and with continued observation faith
In the man grows and as we'll the |