The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-24
Tue qQhta Badly gagI adnssdxu gornu a. lsuz

and determined. The difficulties might
We'll have ben insurmountable, but Mr..
Reed had the knowledge and the courage
combined to enable him to become mas
ter. Democratic obstruction was the
thing he had first to throttle. He did
it to start with BY his famous reversal
of the longstanding rule of the House
in regard to quorums, says the Chicago
Record Herald.
The custom has been to make use OF the
fiction that a Congressman present in the
room was not present at roll call unless
he chose to answer. In this way the op-
position could block action, although its
members were present watching every
move in the game.
Car" Reed simply ordered the clerk
one day to record as present ali the
Democrats who were in the room and
who had refused to answer roll call. Then
pandemonium began.
The Democratic side of the House was
in an uproar. but Speaker Reed, gavel in
hand, did not lose his temper.
Il deny your right, Mr.. Speaker, to
count me present shouted Representa-
tive McCreary, of Kentucky.
Mr.. Reed answered:
1.-The chair is merely making a state
ment of the fact that the gentleman is
present Does he deny it?
For two days he refused to permit an
appeal to the House from his decision, but
when the appeal came he was sustained.
and so thoroughly did he make his point
that in succeeding congresses with the
IN hi
tanned.
The victory on this point established
the right of the majority to transact bust
ness, and more than that, it made the
majority assume full responsibility for
the way in which it exercised its power. .
Mr.. Reed resigned his seat in Congress
on September 4, 1899. His farewell letter
to his constituents was as follows:
ITO the Republicans of the First Maine
district: While / am naturally reluctant
to obtrude myself again upon public at
tention, even here at home. / am sure no
one would expect me to leave the First
Maine district after so long service
without some words expressing to you
my appreciation of your friendship and
my gratitude for your generous treat
ment Words alone are quite inadequate
and I must appeal to your memories.
During three and twenty years of po-
litical life, not always peaceful, you have
never questioned a single public act of
mine other men have had to look after
their districts. My district has looked
after me. This, in the place where 1 was
born, where you know my shortcomings
as well as ] do myself, gives me right to
be proud of my relations with you. No
honors are quite like those which come
from home.
IT would not be just for me to withhold
my thanks from those Democrats who
have so often given me their votes. This
friendship I can acknowledge with all
propriety even in a letter to Republicans.
for both they and you know that l have
never trimmed a sail to catch the passing
breezes or ever flown a doubtful flag.
"Office as a ribbon to stick in your
coat is worth nobody's consideration. Of
fee as opportunity is worth all considera-
ton.
THAT opportunity you have given me
untrammeled in the fullest and amplest
measure, and 1 return you sincerest
thanks If l have deserved any praise it
belongs of right to you.
Whatever may happen, ] am sure that
the First Maine District will always be
true to the principles of liberty, self
government, and the rights of man.