The Topeka state journal., 1902-12-11
REED'S LIFE.
Ex-speaker's Wit and Firmness
Based on Many Good Stories.

Washington, D. c.. Dec. 1.-THE death
of Thomas B. Reed leaves but three ex-
speakers of the house still living
Galusha A. Grow. WHO was welding the
gavel forty years ago; J. Warren Keifer.
who presided in 18S1-'SS. and John @.
Carlisle, who served from 1888 to 1883.
inclusive. 1t is noteworthy in this con-
nection that by reason OF the retirement
OF Speaker henderson and ex-Speaker
Grow that the next congress VIII De the
first in many years in which no man
sits Wzso was ever speaker of the house.
In the house of representatives of the
Fifry-first congress, the first over which
Mr.. Reed presided, there were two ex-
speakers. General Banks and Mr.. Car
Isle, every man. who has since Deen
speaker, and the next speaker, Mr.. can
non 1t was the most remarkable house
since the civil war.
MT. Reed died Just at the moment
when the GridirCn clubs December din
ner, to which he had been invited. was
closing.
At the very instant the life of this re-
markable man ended he was being eu-
logizea in the dining room Of the hotel
by the organization which he mad 50
oTten honored by his presence.
GRIDlRON CLUBS TRIBUTE
The dinner was at its end. During Its
progress apprehension concerning MI.
Reeds condition was general, but there
was no reference to it until midnight
Then John NJ. Carson, the oldest living
ex-p esident of the club, paid a-touchirg
tribute to the statesman passing away
and prospective Speaker Joseph G. Can
non followed with a brief but feeling
speech in which he referred to the dying
statesman as the most remarkable man
he had known-an incomparable comb
nation of ability and courage. Then the
large company of Gridiron members and
guests rose ana rank the health of TIE
dying speaker, and that was the moment
II a hfx l1cl n OF hp1
he died
Herndon Morsen was singing the
beautiful Song That Reached My
Heart when the news of the death OF
the greatest of speakers reached the
banquet nall. 1t was a tenderly toucn-
ing circumstance. recalling the Nearer.
My Gcd, to Thee" of the Buffalo tragedy
Of last year
While the last notes of Morsell's
robust but tender song were ringing il.
the great dining room the company
learned that Reed, the great Reed wa
no more And no dinner ever given in
this city had a more dramatic end
Mr.. Reed held the record for attend
ance at these dinners. He was closely
followed by Senator German But Mr.
Reed had attended more dinners than
any man not member. and loved 20
call himself a member He was always
sarcastic in his comments, and merci>
lessly roasted" the club in all his
speeches He was nevertheless. hugely
popular with the organization.
Some years ago he was given a leather
medal for having eaten more at the ex-
pense of the club than any other man. to
which he responded in a deliciousIy satiri-
cal speech.
On another occasion he was presented
by the club with revolver criticised for
being ineffective with the gavel and told
to get busy" with the sterner implement.
As the members of the club and their
guests. including many notables. came
away from the tables the death of the
speaker was the only subject of CONVEX
sation. Forming in little groups. all dis
cussed the departed statesman and in
terms of the warmest admiration and af-
lection.
Thomas B. Reed was an aggressive
leader of the Republican minority in the
F1ftieth congress. His brilliant sayings
and party generalship marked him as a
man of commanding ability, but bright
as he ever was in conversation and scin-
tiliating as he was in debate, the great
cornerstone OF his reputation rests upon
his parliamentary achievements in putting
in force the Reed rules
The Fifty-trst congress, elected in No
vember of 1888, was Republican on the
face of the returns by three majority.
Reed was chosen speaker, and it was on
the programme to so change the rules
that the majority could enact legislation.
There were something like eighteen con-
tested election cases. which We're taken up
at the beginning of the session for the pur-
pose of increasing the Republican ma
jority.
Two or three of these contests were
from West Virginia, and the first one
considered was that of Smith against
Jackson, the latter being Democrat and
the sitting member. The question of con-
sideration was raised and the counting of
the vote demonstrated that quorum had
not voted. The point was made, but Reed
began to count number of Democrats
who were present and not voting.
1t raised the storm which made the
Fifty-first congress the most turbulent in
American history.
An appeal was taken from the speaker s
ruling. but the ruling was sustained.
Mr.. Reed claimed justification for the
ruling In general parliamentary law. He
compressed the entire argument for count
ing a quorum in a retort to Colonel w. c.
P. Breckenridge. of Kentucky, then a
leading Democrat
Colonel Breckenridge in violent lang
uage protested against the speakers right