Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-22
TOM REEDS RARE SARCASM
MADE HIM GREATLY FEARED

the seeming trivial wants of his cor
stituents, he would often shut them of
with an abrupt bit Of biting sarcasm.
This was especially true when tho citi-
zens of Brunswick Me- wrote him, ask
ing that he use his influence to obtain
some cannon for the purpose of a SOL
e-AeTs' monument. The letter found hirs
overwhelmed with the duties Of the
speakership. and he answered.: II am
not dealing in old junk just now The
letter cost him the vote of Brunswick in
the next district convention.
The opening of a large annex to TIE
famous Poland Springs had been ar
ranged to be one of the biggest times
the state had known for years The
governor, congressman ana senator's, and
ala the distinguished men of the state
were TO be present Reed sent his regrets
although he was not thirty miles away.
The night before the fete Clarence Hale.
a brother of the senator, and two other
friends. sent Reed a telegram, urging
him to be present. His reply was short:
"Commercial paper requires two good
namess only one on yours" and he sent
the message collect.
A Biting AIlusIon.
When Reeds election was threatened
by the strength of Gen. Samuel Ander-
son, the Democratic candidate in his dis
trict, and his friends sought to make
Oh some point. h6cQ
could not see the seriousness of the mat
ter, except through a bit of witticism.
and he replied: only one Republican
can be elected from this district; I am
that one" In this same campaign he
made a biting allusion to two of his col
leagues in the national house, saying:
They never open their mouths without
subtracting from the sum of human
knowledge"
Iaadss 6~zt 49, - -. -.
San Francisco. His client, Juan Jose
Garcia, was charged with assault with
intent to murder and the only defense
which Mr.. Reed could discover was the
good character Of the defendant, who, by
the way, spoke no English. Garcia, out
on bail, was allowed to sit among the
audience, and the witnesses testified that
one Juan Jose Garcia did this, that, ana
the other, but it so happened that no.
body pointed him out.
Garcia's character was shown to be
excellent, but the crime was proven be-
yond q doubt. Then came the speeches
of the attorneys and the charge Of the
Judge. When the latter was over Mr..
Reed asked the court to add to his charge
that proof that Juan Jose Garcia had
committed a crime was not proof against
any particular Juan Jose Garcia, and
that, therefore, Garcia must be acquit-
ted.
The district attorney. afterwards very
distinguished Judge, sprang to his feet
and protested. The court hesitated.
gave the instruction in a half-hearte6
fashion, and the jury went out. After
an hour IL came back for more instruc-
tons. Mr.. Reed then improved the oc-
casion. Why" said he. may 1t please
your honor, would any man dare saw
that proof that John Smith had commit
ted crime was proof against any par
ticuIar John Srnith?'' the court allowed
that 1t would not. and Juan Jose Gar
cia was free.
First Public Speech.
His first public appearance as speak
er was at a Friday afternoon "DecIama-
ton Day IN New England. Thomas
learned the following gem. and graveiy
rectted II in his most earnest manner:
Old Jim Crow came a-ridin' by;
Says I: "Old man, your horse will die" 4,
Says he: ''If he dies, I'll tan his skin.
And IL he lives, I'll ride agIn"
That's all 1 know" he added.