New-York tribune., 1902-12-07

tative in Congress than Thomas B. Reed
In his second term he was appointed mem
Der Of the Judiciary Committee. AS early as
1881 he received Some votes in the caucus Tor
Speaker, although he had been only four years
in Congress Four years later he was the
caucus nominee of the Republicans, and again
In 1887. Both OF those houses were Democratic.
and it was not until 1889 that he assumed the
Speakers chair in the List Congress It was in
this Office, whose honors rank only second in inn
portance to those of the President, that Mr.
Reed gained his greatest reputation.
IN THE SPEAKERS CHAIR.
When Mr.. Reed entered upon his duties as
Speaker he found himself at the head of mar
row majority, which confronted by strong
minority, ready and determined to do everything
in its power to obstruct and thwart the will Of
the majority. He had been thorough student
and had mastered the general principles of par
Iamentary law, and he possessed the courage
and 1rmness to apply them to the existing erner-
gency and enforce them. When the session was
nearly two months old, and after the Democrats
had shown in every conceivable manner their
determination not to allow any business to be
done except by their consent by voting
quorum of Republicans. the Speaker determined
that the time for him to act had arrived.
In order to complete the quorum on an aye
and vote he directed the clerk to record the
names of q number OF Democrats who were
present, and had refused to respond when their
names were called. The scene that followed is
indescribable. In instant the Democratic
doctrine which virtually gave the minority
power rule the majority overturned and
shattered, and in a second the Democratic
membership became wild, bowling. half fren-
zied mob, which the Speaker faced with unruf-
fed conaposure, gaveI in hand The scenes OF
that day were re-enacted many times during the
next fortnight. and the country, as we'll as the
Hall of Representatives. rang with vituperatiVe
and vehement denunciations Of Gear Reed
but he needed them not His triumph and vim
dication at the hands Of the Democrats came
four years later, when they, being then in con-
troll of the House of Representatives, adopted
the quorum counting rule.
AS leader of the minority of the Ways and
Means Committee of the LII1d Congress. he
drew that part of the protest of the Repubhcan
members against the Wilson bill which discussed
and exposed the general features of that meas
ure and the speech delivered by him In the
House in closing the debate on that Dill In De-
half of the minority was and is generaly re- re-
! garded by everybody competent to express an
opinion on the subject as among the ahlest and
most comprehensive, cogent and phllosoPl.to PM.
arguments in support OF the oolrlle u pio'o
ton ever delivered in Congress oo-
Mr. Reed was elected Speaker in 1880, When
| the Republicans had regained control OF the
| sneaker again in 1897 He might have been
kept in the Office in 1899 II ne had not re
! tired from Congress. He was d cdhulud.c AOi
| the Presidential nomination in the Republcan
National Convention Of 1896. and was defeated
His defeat disappointed but did not sour hin.
| nor did it affect in the slightest degree his
| course as Spea ker of the House of Representa-
/ tiyes He threw himself into the campaign IN
behalf of his successful rival with all his force
/ and energy.
| RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS.
| On October 49, 1899. Mr.. Reed was admitted
( to tbe bar of New-York State He then SAID
! that he was no longer resident OF Maine ana
! that he intended TO make his home IN this city
| permanently He a member OF the Ia"
firm of Reed Simpson. Thacher Barnum IN
1899 he was elected trustee of the New foFFA
! Life Insurance Company. The degree of Doc
tor of Laws was conferred upon him by CO.
lumbia University in 1860 He was the author
of Reeds Rules and edited the ten volumes
Of Modern EIoquence.'' He was also fire.
ouent contributor to periodical literature
Mr. Reed was not in sympathy with the
ACQUISITION of the Philippines, or with the eX-
mansion policy of the administration OF FreSl-
dent Mckinley. -
/ Personally he most loved by those VINO
knew him best He bubbling over with
! good humor and good fellowship; he had READY
wit and keen sarcasm In ordinary conVersa-
! +ion nc less than in public addresses, he showed
/ q remarkable fund of information, broad read
ing q strong penetrating mind ana Keen
| mower of icgicai analysis and analytical reason
| ing