Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-12-09
HOUSE PAYS REED HOMAGE
AdOums to Show Respect in Which Late
Speaker Was Held.
ENTERS BRILLIANT TRIBUTE ON RECORDS
No ParIinmentRrian Surpassed Illus
trious Dead, No Debater Matched
Intellectual Giant who Tow
cred Above His Fellows.
tINGToN. Dec. s.-The house today
.arkable tribute to the memory of

HINGToN. Dec. s.-The house today
, .arkable tribute to the memory of
ex-Sr sr Thomas b. Reed.
Ills death had created a profound i'm
preston and there was a universal desire
among the members that the house show
signal mark of respect to his memory
For the house TO take such action on the
death OF former member had only three
precedents in its history. namely, on the
occasions Of the death of Benton. Blaine
and Alexander Stephens. when the house
adopted resolutions and adjourned out OF
respect to their memories.
1t was decided to follow these precedents
in the case of Mr.. Reed. The chaplain at
the opening Of the session paid feeling
reference to the death Of the ex-speaker.
No business was transacted beyond the
formal reading Of two messages from the
president and an arrangement to postpone
the special order for today, the London
dock bill, until tomorrow.
sherman Offers Resolution.
Mr.. Sherman Of New York, then amid
profound silence arose and in a few feeling
remarks offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the following minutes be
representatives:
Hon; Thomas Bracket Reed died in
washington December Z, 1902. For twenty
TWO years he had been a member of this
house; for six years it's speaker. His serv-
Ice terminated with the Fifty-ftth congress-
Within this chamber the scenes of his life 3
great activities we're laid Here he rendered
service to his country which placed him in
me front ranks of American statesman
sLlp' Here he exhibited characteristics
ton.
Forceful ability, intrinsic worth, strength
OF character, brought him popular fame
and congressional leadership In him depth
and breadth of intellect, with a full and
wei rounded development, had produced
impressed them with his power and wisdom
"A distinguished statesman, lofty patriot
cultured scnoiar and incisive, an un-
matched debater, master of logic, wit and
satrei' the most famous of the world $
Rarlam,entarians, par ,T,s the great and representa-
resolved That in honor of the distin-
guished dead the house now adjourn
In presenting the resolution Mr.. Sherman
said:
Mr.. Speaker, the life of ex-Speaker Reed
ended yesterday. Its span measured many
years less than the allotted life of man;
and yet there was within II so much of
moment that his fame became great and
VIII De lasting. He was a citizen of my
state since his retirement from public life,
aaitnough II was as representative from
Maine naamh, that 4 he rendered his service to the
that he will have his final resting place.
10 have served with Mr.. Reed was an
an inspiration, to have enjoyed his conf
dence and friendship, a delight. He was so
great. his service to his country so valua-
Bile. that il seems to me we may ftly de-
part from what is the usual custom OF the
house when one not In public life dies T.
therefore, Mr.. Speaker, offer the resolution
which / sent to the clerk.
When Mr.. Sherman resumed his seat tho
speaker asked If there was any objection.
Unanimously Adopted.
The silence remained unbroken. The
resolutions were then unanimously adopted
and at 1915 p. m. the speaker declared the
house adjourned out of respect to the mem
ory of Mr.. Reed.
The ways and means committee has re-
ported favorably on the resolution to ad-
journ from December 20 to January 5.
Bills were introduced today by Mr..
Lacey Qa) to repeal the desert land law
The communication provides for homestead
| laws.
The house committee on agriculture hav-
| ing under consideration the agricultural
appropriation bill today heard Prof Will
| lis L. Moore, chief OF the Weather bu-
reau,, on the proposed distribution OF
| forecasts by the rural free delivery sys-
| TEN, which he favors. 1t is estimated that
it would cost about 100000 additional per