Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-08

ton will be told in the committee rooms
and corridors of the House wing
His strong sense of justice, which shone
from his character as the FURNISHED armor
en- the breast of an ancient hero, manifested
itself in his dealings with all, especially
with the weak and helpless. Those who
had his friendship and those who did not
could count on 1t with full assurance A
friend who had been long associated with
Mr.. Reed in the politics of his district and
VINO mad sometimes been successful and
sometimes unsuccessful in political efforts,
pears testimony that honest failure never
brought reproach from Mr.. Reed while
success brought commentator, quiet ana
sincere, but never effusIye.
"One of the happiest qualities of his great
character was his utter inability to fatter.
He was not likely to be msled by it when
It was applied to him, and he dsdained> en-
tirely to use on others this most potent all
lurement of the politician
His Most Pronounced characteristics,
One Of Mr.. Reeds most pronounced char
acteristfcs was his supreme contempt for
men OF weaker intellect, and he never hest
tated to express his scorn. He showed this
trai' When ne dubbed an erratic populist IN
the Fifty-fourth Congress the Wild Ash
of the Desert" Mr.. Reeds tendency to
utter sarcastic expressions was carried to
Its full bent without regard TO the feeling
OF the object. If remark was witty as
tract the barb Of bitterness or salve the
wound II made
Another of his strongest weapons in de-
bate was his power to ridcule which he
used In lieu OF invective. The average pub
lie man fears ridicule more than abuse and
MI Reed was past grand master in the
art OF heaping ridicule upon his opponents,
ped mentally.
Mr.. Reed could sweep away with an
avalanche OF ridicule the most formidable
preastwork of oratorical opposition which
dent Is recalled of his debate with an Ohio
democrat, who persisted In interruptinR
him with questions during the course OF a
debate. Mr.. Reed, having finally disposed
OF the interrupter, added, Now having EN-.
balmed that fly In the liquid amber OF MY
discourse. wish to proceed" After the
shouts of laughter from both sides OF the
chamber had subsidized Mr.. Reed did pro-
coed without further interruption.
Mr.. Reed could be good-humoredly sar-
castle, however. The western representa-
tive who. upon one occasion was induls-
Ing In a passionate appeal from the speak
ers decision, wound up what he knew to
be a hopeless plea with the statement that:
II would rather be right than be Presi-
dent"
THE gentleman need not worry" drawled
Mr.. Reed. In his most irritating way. He
will never be either" =
Many people think that the turning point
in Mr.. Reeds political career came after
the presidential convention of 1896 Mr..
Reed was candidate for the nomination
OF his party before that convention and his
campaign was managed by Mr. Joseph
Manley OF Maine Mr.. Reed was bitterly
dfsappotnte ed over the result Of the convent
ton. and It is thought tina, he never afterI
wards took the interest in politics that he
had manifested before. Il
In 1893 he became elienated from some OF
the leaders and some OF the policies of his
party. MI Reed used his influence to at
tempt to stem the tide of sentiment for
declaration OF war with Spain, but falling
entered into the proceedings with the other
republicans and the democratic leaders on
all the congressional legislation necessary
to carry the war to a successful ending.
He stood for Reelection and was returned
to the Fifty-sixth Congress. but before that
body assembled he had made up his mind
to quit politics and resigned his seat. He
was succeeded by Mr.. Amos l.. Allen, an
old schoOlmate and his late private secre-
tary, and Mr. Henderson was elected to
the Speakers chair in the Fifty-sixth Con-
gress.
After retiring from politics Mr. Reed de-
voted himself to the practice of law haV-
ing an office in New York city, engaging
only in important cases. He was ire
Quent contributor to reviews and maya
zines and discussed great economic and
political questions freely. Apparently ne
was in the best Of health up to a few days
before he was stricken. 1t is noteworthy
fact that ne felt the first serious indica-
lions Of his fatal Illness while he was at the
Capitol, the day after the assembling OF
Congress, and under the roof OF the build-
ing which had been the theater of his Graat-
est exploits as a statesman and Legislation.
Reed.
A brave and honest man departs
Who made hts marx on human hearts,
And truckied not to power pelf-
Believed In truth and In himself;
And ever held his onward way
With masseriy imperial Swayi
JOHN A. JOYCE