The Topeka state journal., 1902-12-11

to count him as present when he had not
voted.
But does the gentleman insist" said
Mr.. Reed, that he is not present?'
A volume would not suffice in which to
tell all the stirring incidents of that ses
sion- Vituperation and personal abuse
were heaped upon Reed, and more than
once the house seemed on the verge of
riot. Democrats shook their fists in the
speakers face. Buck kilgore, lofty
Texan, kicked down one of the house
doors when he found himself locked in
the chamber during a quorum counting
process Mr. Bynum. now holding office
In this city as an appointee under Re
publican administration was one of the
most determined in opposition
Reed kept a level head in spite of the
violent demonstrations. One of the Incl
dents. the thought of which never failed
to please him, involved Mr.. Martin, pic
turesque Texan, uncouth, but accustomed
to trite speech. One day a northern
Democrat advanced down the center aisle
waving his arms vigorously, and, as he
approached the marble rostrum. applying
to the speaker a severe epithet. it looked
as though there might be personal en-
counter Republicans rushed toward the
desk to protect Mr.. Reed, and the Demo-
Gratis hurried down from their side to back
UP their angry colleague.
Mr; martin ran up the steps toward the
sbonfed tbe ne 1a cans you .-3 -.
alrlc ideas about what a gentleman should
90 When such terms were used about him
Reed moved not a muscle, but quietly
looked upon the scene.
An expression of utter disgust came upon
Martins face He won't fight" he ex-
claimed of Reed and walked back to his
seat tnc proceedings having lost all inter
est for him.
alton mas been the subject of more bright
anecdotes than ex-Speaker Reed. He has
peen perhaps the most brilliant eonversa-
uonahst Of his time. Whether he spoke or
wrote, ne was prolific in sarcastic phrases.
Whicn possessed remarkable vitality. Most
Utter comments are quickly forgotten:
heeu caustic words became current the
country over Among his coreagu at
tne mousse he was always friendly. hut
rev men got very close to him Those
who enjoyed his confidence declared him a
remarkable man. in that the more one
knew him the greater he appeared.
ms abiiity to squelch an opponent in a
sentence has been proven on many an
occasion. Ore Of his first saIljes in the
mouse as Il young member was after he
had answered an inquiry, interjected into
Having embalmed that fly in the liquid
amber OF my remarks he said. II win
His great bulk, his placid countenance
and peculiar drawl enforced his utter
ances.
A memorable Instance Of his scathing re-
plles vas to Mr.. Springer, then emf
nent democrat. who said he would rather
be right than be president.
y ou viii never be either,'' observed
Politically. Mr.. Reed grew sour in the
in 1896 and the St. Louis convention was
one of the bitterest disappointments of
his life He never fcrgave Senator Hanna
for getting the southern delegation away
from him, and visiting New York in the
summer of 1896 he announced to his
friends that he intended TO resign from
congress and quit public life forever. From
this he was dissuaded until three years
later, when he did resign after three
terms as speaker. and entered upon the
practice of law in the metropolis.
Mr. Reed was graphic AMI forceful
writer. as well as a strong and vigorous
debater. AS writer he contributed to
the North American Review articles upon
Our Outlying Province of Alaska, 90
Democracy at st. Louis" THE Presi-
dents Letter" being that of Mr. Cleveland
accepting the nomination for the presi-
dency, and Limitations of the Speaker
ship In the Century he treated the
Rules of the House of Representatives.
foreshadowing his policy and in Belford's
Magazine The Protectionist's g View of 1t. -.
Mr.. Reed Instituted the unique practice
of requiring payment from newspapers
which desired expression of his views for
publication He did so on the ground
that he would not be qu I'd unless his
views Were expressed exactly as he held
| them, and declared that this required
much care as the preparation of a legal
opinion. for which, OF course. he was al
ways paid In the last eew years he sell
don.S expressed his opinions at length :e-
garding the state of current political af
fairs, but oftentimes gave to his old polit-
ica1 associates views which had weight
vita them in determining party policies.