Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-07

where he remained until 1899, serving for
seven years Of that time as speaker OF the
house.
Maine has always had influential men in
congress, and has always followed the
southern custom of keeping good men when
1t got them there, and Reed was no excep-
tion to the old rule. His reputation as a
lawyer was greatly eclipsed by his greater
reputation as a debater. He never made
more than half a dozen prepared addresses
during all his long service, but his short,
pithy, compact, direct, oftentimes scathing
speeches, in quaint Yankee phraseology,
pointed, bristling and original, we're innum-
cradle. He was at his best in them. All
listened. Democrats and republicans alike
laughed at them, especially when he was
skinning alive some obstreperous or unpop-
ular or hypocritical fellow.
But notwithstanding the hard knocks he
gave, he made lots Of friends and kept
them. He had many warm friendships
among the democrats. Samuel ]. Randall
and he were the best of friends.
wit Was spontaneous.
If his epigrams and scattered witticisms
thrown off in the rough-and-tumble debates
in the house or at dinners or in chats at
the club could be collected they would make
a valuable collection. He coined many
phrases which will live in political nomen-
%clature. Here are two Of the best known
of them:
"a statesman is a politician who ID dead"
1.-The senate is q place that good repre-
sentatives go to when they die"
One Of Reeds replies to Springer of Ill
nois. who received many a sharp cut from
him, is also celebrated. Springer had re-
torted to Reed on one occasion that he
would rather be right than be president"
7 ".You need not be alarmed, ;" responded
Reed ,coolly. you will never be either|2'-
Slowly but surely he worked his way up
to the proud position OF leader Of the re-
publicans. No one can point to the exact
time or the exact session when he donRed
the mantle, but in the Forty-ninth con-
gress he was the candidate Of his party
for speaker, and that, perhaps, may be
taken as the formal acknowledgment that
he was the leading man of his party In the
lower branch of congress, This indorse-
ment was given him again in the Fiftieth
congress, which, like its predecessor, was
controlled by the democrats. This brings
Reed up to the great eliminating point in
his career.
hNAN .AOhoN "oo ASRAbAASoh " -
small majority and he was elected to the
chair after a spirited contest with Nc
Kinley and Cannon. Mckinley, who after
ward became president, and Cannon, who
is now slated for the place he unsuccess-
fully sought in 1889.
Always seIf-COntrOIfeG.
During his occupancy of the chair he
kept his self-control. But 1t is said that in
the seclusion Of the speakers private room
he used to relieve his mind freely, emphat-
ically and fully with regard to the tactics
which the democrats we're pursuing In the
house. He never manifested the slightest
fear, and, when asked how he felt about
the turbulent actions Of the democratic
minority, said he felt exactly as he would
II a big creature were jumping at him,
and he knew the exact length and strength
Of his chain, and we're sure Of the weapon
he had in his hand. This weapon" to
which Mr.. Reed referred is, OF course, the
gavel, which he pronounced as II 1t were
spelled "gayvel," with the accent on the
first syllable.
The next two congresses, the Fifty-seo-
ond and Fifty-third, were democratic, and
Reed, being in the minority, lost the chair.
! But in 1896 he was again restored to power,
till in 1899, he resigned.
In has early congressional days he served
on the celebrated Potter investigating COM
mittee, appointed to examine the circum-
stances Of President Hayes election
and took an active part in the remarkable
proceedings.
Celebrated Reed Rules.
In his first term as speaker he acquired
his reputation as a quorum counter" AZ
that time It was customary not to aeknowl-
edge the presence of any member who die
not answer to his name when called, but
Reed overruled this. His right was once
challenged and there. being no special regu.
lation in America, at that time, he replied
Under the authority of general parliament.
airy law" The answer became historic ant
probably prompted the following stanEs
written when the speaker shaved:
The paucity of MI. Reeds mustache,
Which, by the way, contained scarcely
, Allowed the rain on his chin to splash.
7 And had marked effect on HIS deoorum.
: Asks No FavOrs.
: Never but once during his servicr
In the house was Reed accused o
dishonesty, and this charge was not takel
seriously. and has been forgotten. The stor,
is recalled here simply 70 show Reeds man
ner Of treating the matter.
A New York daily newspaper thought 1
had discovered something. wrong In som
bill regarding the Northern PAeinc rail
road. that Reed was implicated In. A rep
resentative OF the paper came to Wash
ington to see Reed about II. Reed wa
Y in the house and busy, and could not com
E out TO see the correspondent at, lust tina
< time. So the latter sent in a rather saue
4 note to Reed, saying he would give hir
two days to set himself right. aud tina
II he did not do It within that time tn
correspondent would attack Reed In hi
newspaper and tell all he knew. Reed re
piled to this note quickly and eurtly;
Don't wait two days; do it nowl''
The newspaper article was printed. an
forgotten.