The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1905-03-02

youth are spent on the fog enveloped
coasts of New England and especially
the natives of Maine. 1t can best be
described as "salty" intonation.
1t cannot be put in print or pictured
On paper. 1t must be heard to be ap-
preciated. This Maine mannerism
of speech Mr.. Reed possessed in
a remarkable degree and it added
immensely to the pungency of all
his utterances.
Mr.. Reed was one of the greatest,
if not the greatest, parliamentarians
that the world has ever produced.
He revolutionized the parliamentary
practice of the centuries and today
Reeds Rules are recognized as
authority by every parliamentary
body in the world except the United
States Senate, and that body accepts
no authority, parliamentary or other
wise, except its own sweet will.
Great as Mr.. Reed was as a parlia-
mentarian he was infinitely greater
as leader of the minority. 1t was
my good fortune to be present during
most of the short session of the 53rd
congress. The democratic party had
an overwhelming majority in that
body. Yet Mr.. Reed by his mastery
management of the minority rendered
that majority powerless and he sue
cessfully blocked all legislation to
which he was opposed.
Mr.. Reed was past master of the
art of debate and repartee. When
Mr.. Holman of Indiana, closed a
passionate speech with dramatic
rendering of the quotation, 81 would
rather be right than be president"
Mr.. Reed quietly rejoined, "The
gentleman from Indiana need not
give himself any concern; there is
not the slightest danger of him ever
being either"
When Mr.. Reed as a speaker, made
his famous ruling "That when man
was in his seat he was present whether
he responded to roll call or not" the
democrats made such a howl of
indignant protest that they almost
raised the roof of the Capitol. "Buck"
Kilgore, gigantic member from
Texas, sprang from his seat, rushed
down the aisle in front of the speakers
| desk, beligerently waving his arms
and roaring at the top of his voice,
"Czar! Tyrant! Usurpationl Destroyer
of the Constitution" and the demo-
cratic members sat grasping the
arms of their chairs, muscles tense,
eyes flashing, ready and anxious to
back Kilgore, physically or otherwise.
Not muscle of Reeds impressive
face changed although none knew
better than he that he was standing
over a mine ready to explode. He
mastered the situation and convulsed
both sides of the house with a
laughter by looking innocently at
the enraged democratic member and
inquiring, "Does the gentleman from
Texas insist that he is absent?"
Reeds self control was marvellous.
During the eight years that was
member of the house he served as
speaker during the first four. During
the time of Bryan's campaign and at
the time of the Spanish war there
never was a time when partisan
spirit ran higher except perhaps just
preceding the rebellion. Yet no
scenes of disorder marked the routine
of the House proceedings and the
speaker never once lost his serenity.
Volumes could be filled with Reeds
epigrams, and pages of characteristic
incidents could be printed.
He was hated, vilified and abused,
especially during the early part of
his career as no other man in public
life, yet there never was an intimation
at any time or place, even by his
most bitter opponents, that he was
not honest in his intention and stead
fast in his integrity.