The Somerset reporter., 1903-01-29
Thomas Bracket Reed.
Impressive Exercises In The Legislature In
Honor of His Memory.

Drauc0 OF the Otdte government VI uo
ing honor to the memory of that greal
Maine commoner, Thomas Bracket Reed
This service is 40 honor which ia done tC
the memory of but few men, the two
occasions in recent years being the ser
vices concentrating the lives of Nelson
Dingley and James q. Blaine. His Elk
eelleney, Gov. Hill, presided at the joint
assembly.
The speakers were: Senator Charles
Fl. Randall of Cumberland. Representa-.
tive George II. Smith of Presque Isle
Senator George G. Wing of Androscoggin
Representative Cyrus W. Davis of Water.
vile, Representative c. II. Smith oil
Hartland Senator |. X. Stetson of Penoh.
scot, Representative Harold NJ. Sewal
of Bath, Senator Forrest Goodwin Of
Somerset and Representative +. G. SWEET
of Portland, the speaking order being a:
given above and the following resolution;
were adopted
"The Seventy.first Legislature of
Maine, by joint resolution, unani-
mously adopted, having set aside
this day and fixed this place as the
occasion for memorial exercises for
our late distinguished citiZ IN, Thomas
B. Reed, therefore
Resolved, That we as representa-
tives OF the people OF the great State
which was the birthplace of Thomas
B. Reed, uRitedly and publicly give
voice to the universal sorrow which
the news of his untimely death
spread to every portion of our do
main.
Resolved, That the entire public
and private career of Mr.. Reed is
a source of the greatest satisfaction
and pride to all our citizens, and that
his high character, lofty aspirations,
commanding ability and valuable
public services rendered our State
and nation, will ever be held in affec-
tionate and grateful remembrance
by all the people of his native State.
Resolved, That these resolutions
be extended upon the records of the
convention and that as evidence of
sincere sympathy and coincidence of
all the people of Maiue, an engi ossed
copy thereof be sent 10 his family"
Senator Goodwins address follows:
Your ExceHenty and Gentlemen Of tie Is
5em6b.-
hold t one of the greatest priv leges OF
my life, in my humble way, to bring the trib-
ute of one flower of love to lay upon the
grave Of him. whose death we mourn today;
and If every friend of his, throughout the
length and breadth of this fair land, should
bring but one flower, to his grave; that grave
would be a very wilderness of flowers, wherein
the odor of the orange blossoms of the South,
and the roses of the West would mingle with
the perfume of the pine.
For Mr.. Reed had Troops" offriends, He
was not, as has often been written, cold and
cynical. lie was a kind and lovable man
genial and generous, sympathetic and loyal;
and those who were once admitted to the ma
gic circle of his friendship, were bound to
him by hooks of steel
He was singularly pure in his private life,
his habits, his thoughts and associates. never
heard him utter.a profane or improper word,
or voice assortment that the purest &dy in
the land might not have heard.
MIR. Reed was intensely Independent, alb
solutely self reliant. Brave and courageous,
he never weakened in the face Of opposition.
Honest and incorruptibe, he never "Crooked
the pregnant knee, that thrift might follow
fawning" After twenty years of public ser,
vice, he laid down the gravel of the House,
and,-like Cincinnatus of Old returned to his
early vocation to earn a competency for him.
self and family, as poor as when he entered
the public service. A splendid commentary
on the native integrity and honesty of great
statesman. An honorable example for the
illustrious youth who would follow in his
footsteps.
He never hurried, yet he was always pre-
pared. lie never did great act but that he
seemed capable of doing greater. lie was
possessed to wonderful degree of reserve
power.
The Speakers room at Washington, dur
ing his rule. was the rendezvous of the bright.
est minds Of our country. Eminent scientists,
famous writer's powerful financial magnates,
and great social leaders, all found in him a
receptive mind and a sympathetic listener
He was a philosopher, accurate in his judg-
ment of his fellow man. In single sentence
he could sum up the foibles and weakness of
mankind. Once, in the Speakers room, dur
ing the quorum fight, southern congressman
came into the room, and told Mr.. Reed, with
extrayagant praise, what great man he was,
that his ruling was right, and only the'stress
OF party politics made him oppose the same,
Mr., Reed received it all with his usual polite
ness, and when the Congressman had retired,
he turned in his chair and said, "You want to
beware Of a statesman, when he begins to ex-
ude molasses''.
He grasped situation quickly, and at once
perceived the weak points of his adversary S
case AT one time after he had made his
quorum ruling, he counted as present, those
ing from their seats, and wildly geshculating,
surged down the asles, crying out "Clar !
Usurper! Tyrant ~. As soon as he could
make himself heard his voice rang out in that
inimitable drawl Of his "Wll the gentleman,
who say they are not present, please resume
their seats. The sarcasm Of that single sen.
tence brought them to realizing sense ofthe
absurdity OF their position, as nothing else
could do.
Before Mr.. Reed, we had two great Speak
ers of the House Of Representatives, Mr..
Clay and Mr.. Blaine. Both were aggressive,
eager, earnest and quick to strike when the
opportunity offered. In all this, Mr.. Reed
was their equal. But he was their superior
in his ability to command and lead his fol-
lowers on to victory. He was the greatest
parlamentarian our country has ever known
He dominated the House of Representatives
He ruled it with a m aster hand.
always think of Mr.. Reed presiding over
the House of Representatives, as some col
ossal god Of mythology, dispensing Justice to
humanity, adored and loved by his followers;
feared, yet admired by his enemies,
Sir, the mystery Of death has never yet been
solved. We do not know when we wrap the
mantle of the grave about US, whether we
shall lie down to dreamless sleep through all
eternity, or shall awaken with the coming Of
another dawn in a new wnrld where the