The Indianapolis journal., 1902-12-08

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE

NCONCLUDED fROM FIRST HAGE.D
OF local Importance. He was an able man
with jury, but his forte was in the exami-
nation OF witnesses. He did not browbeat,
but in a manner peculiarly his own he in
duced witnesses to give the whole story.
Early in 1876 he told his personal friends
that he wanted TO go to the national House.
The district was represented by a pros
porous manufacturer who was guiltless OF
anything like craftsmanship, but, four
years in Office, he had at his command the
Portland custom house, with it's sixty Off
GERS, and every postmaster in the district.
Some OF his friends urged that after an
other term the representative would retire.
After his manner he would hear to sug
gestions of compromise. That was the year
TO be elected to Congress and no other
would do. He had gallant following. but
he had opposed two railroad loans asked
of Portland to increase the business of the
city In a manner that was resented. How
ever, an organization was made, and as the
result Mr.. Reed was nominated by small
majority.
A HOT CAMPAIGN.
The campaign was hot one. The Demo-
Gratis nominated a popular man and the
Republican whom Mr.. Reed defeated in the
convention permitted his name to be put
on an independent ticket. Colonel Inger-
soil opened the Maine campaign, speaking
in Reeds district. This seemed to recall
the fact that years before Mr.. Reed had
been dropped from the membership of
strict Congregational Church for express
ing liberal opinions. So the Democratic
organs, connecting Reed with Ingersoll,
asked the people II they desired to be rep
resented In Congress by an atheist. Men
went about the district who had probably
not read a chapter in the Bible for years
asking the religious people IL they. as
Christian men. could vote for a man who
did not believe the inspired word of God.
But Mr.. Reed pulled through with fair
plurality.
The recalling of this charge of atheism
made against Mr.. Reed also recalls ro-
mantle chapter in his life. Quite early in
his life Mr.. Reed became an ardent suitor
for the hand of a Miss Merrill. the daugh-
ter of an excellent but very strict Congre-
gational clergyman, who could not endure
the thought of having his daughter marry a
young man who had doubts regarding the
Trinity and the absolute divine inspira-
tion OF the entire Bible. AS an obedient
daughter she dismissed Mr.. Reed. A few
years later she married another man who
did not live long. After a proper waiting
Mr.. Reed. the rising young lawyer, re-
newed his suit and was successful. They
were married few years before Mr.. Reed
went to Congress. Ii was most fortunate
union. The broken-hearted woman who
now mourns his loss found in the waitin e
and persistent lover an ideal husband. while
the excellent father-in-law indignantly re-
sented the charge that Mr.. Reed was an
infidel during that first campaign.
REED WINS A FRIEND.
Mr.. Reed entered the Congress after that
which had declared the election OF General
Hayes over Governor Tilden. 1t was a
Democratic House and the result of the
presidential election was a topic for parti-
san recrimination. Mr. Reed was a silent
member. but he was learning the ropes
When the House voted the Potter COM
mittee to inquire into the alleged irregu-
larities In the presidential election Mr..
Reed was made the last man thereon "who
Is Reed?" was asked, that he should be
put upon so important committee?' Col.
w. w. Clapp, the then manager of the
Boston Journal. put that question TO one
of his subordinates from Reeds State.
When told that he was a brilliant lawyer
the veteran editor replied: There never
was man from Maine that all the other
Maniacs did not declare that he is a won
der"
IL so happened that when the Potter
committee was taking testimony at the
Fifth-avenue Colonel Clapp was a guest
I'm the house. Very naturally. he went into
the parlor to listen and he happened there
as Reed began the cross-examination OF
Governor Tilden. When the Beacon-street
editor returned he said to his Maine sub
ordinate: Your man Reed is a great law
yer. i have heard Rufus Choate and other
great lawyers crOsS-examine witnesses In
great cases. but have never heard a cross
examination that approached that which
Reed gave Mr.. Tilden. I stood two hour.
10 listen TO IL and missed my train bu
would not have missed the fight betveer
those two men for thousand doll.rs. q,