The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-12-12
at the Billings Postof1ce as Second
Y Glass Matter.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER IL, 1902.
THOMAS 3. REED.

Regardless of how they may have diff
fered from him in political opinion, all
who are familiar with the career of
Thomas Bracket Reed will unite in
saying that his death has removed
n of the really brainy and strong
men who have been called upon to
render their country service in the
halls of legislation. Recognized as a
lawyer, statesman and politician Of
more than ordinary power and sue
cess and classed high in all those
branches, yet his name will always
stand out boldest as a parliamentar-
ian, for it vas not until after he was
given the gavel of the speaker of the
house OF representatives that he real
ly became famous. 1t was when plac-
ed IN the speakers chair that he man.
lfested the full force of his giant
strength OF mind and intellect and
proved himself to be the only man
who up to that time possessed the will
and force of character necessary to
rule that unwieldly and some times re-
belious body. He ignored precedent
by establishing his own rules and his
sown sturdiness and in~fexibility of de-
c1sion n power of will enabled him
to enforce them. The recalcitrants
he brought to time and the tactics of
the filibusters had no terrors for
him. Democrats who sought to block
legislation by refusing to answer
when their names were called were
counted as present and not voting.
NO longer the old pretense of mo
quorum proved effective to stay the
progress Of business in the house.
Reeds rules" we're denounced and
QUO protest was made against the
arbitrary manner in which the GEAR
governed the house, but they were of
no avail. A new mar was in the
chair, a man whom neither threat nor
pleading could swerve from the line
OF conduct he had laid out for him.
self and those over whom he presided.
A man of less pluck, determination
and mental alertness would probably
have failed, but he proved successful
and many of the innovations for which
he was responsible have been adopted
and are now permanently a part of
the routine of the house. Though the
author Of them has passed away,
Reeds rules are still accented as
governing the house and thanks to
them legislation in that body has been
made less cumbersome and business
has been simplified to a degree which
would probably have never been pos
slble but for the man who will always
live as the Gear of the house,
Even his strongest political enc
mics accorded him the praise of be-
ing personally a mar of the highest
attributes and of his honesty and man
Hess there has never been any doubt.
The fact that he retired after manv
years from public life a poor man is
OF itself the strongest proof of the I'M
lmpeachability of his character. Bril-
liant, brainy and companionable, with
a wit as sharp and spontaneous as
was ever given to any man. he was
popular with all classes, and no mat
ter what the subject, his opinion was
always sought and very often made
Its effect felt in the way matters of
public import were shaped. He serv-
ed his state and nation we'll, ably and
uprightly and his memory should be
neld in grateful recollection for the
fidelity with which he DISCHARGED ey-
cry duty entrusted to him.