Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-01


at the bar was admirable in its train
ing for the public service. After five
years of practice, he said, Reed had
established himself so notably that he
was made attorney general of the state
when he was only 80 years old-the
youngest age at which that Office has
ever been held in Maine. In this
capacity he served for three years and
was for four years after that counsel
for the city of Portland. At the age
of 81 he was elected to Congress, his
term beginning with the Inauguration
of President Hayes in March. 1877.
Mr. Mccall reviewed the political
situation at the time. Federal troops
were being withdraw from the South
ern states; civil government through
out the Union had been restored, in
form. at least. and four millions freed
slaves had been made, theoretically.
equal self governing members of the
great American democracy.
1T was at the moment of this tran
sition," Mr.. Mccall proceeded. that
Reed first took his seat in the House
as a Republican. Although he had
a brilliant career at the bar and az
a member of the Maine Legislature.
he had established no reputation OF
the sort that would proceed him to
Washington. He went there with the
ordinary passports of the new mem
Der and his career was entirely before
him.
The first real opportunity came in his
appointment to committee to investi-
gate charges of fraud in connection
with the presidential election. the
manner in which he performed his
part of the work attracted the atten-
ton of the country in short off-hand
speech upon the subject of the invest
igation, called out by an incautious
attack by a member of the opposite
party. he first gave the House touch
of his unique qualities as debater.
Reeds career in the House was then
reviewed by the Speaker. who dwelt
upon the principal subjects that prac-
tically overshadowed all others during
Reeds many years of service in Con-
gress, such as the money question.
the tariff and the right of the colorod
people to the ballot. In summing up
Reeds accomplishments. Mr.. Mccall
said:
LAS a debater and parliamentary
leader, he must be accorded high rank.
When Reed became the leader of the
Republican party he was so pre-em-
intly the man for the place as to
stand in class by himself. and from
that time until he left the House six
teen years later, he remained at the
head Of his party, the longest period
that any man has been the leader OF
OT
House. 1t is the simple truth to say
that great and varied as was the array
Of talent against him, he never was
overmatched and he never appeared
to have all his reserves brought into
action.
Reeds occupancy of the speakership
of the House Of representatives was
described and the characteristics which
made the period notable were given
some detail, as a preface to the i'm
preston that no greater speaker ever
presided over the House.
Reeds retirement from public life.
said Mr.. Mccall WAS due to the
course pursued by the government in
annexing Hawaii, Porto Rico and the
Philippines. 1.-The idea that America
should violate it's traditional principle
of self-government." Mr.. Mccall said,
land enter upon the work of govern
ing subject states. he hated with all
the fierce hatred of vanishing time. He
was profoundly stirred by our taking
on the last colonial curse of Spain,
but IL had been done by treaty SOL
EMMY ratified by the senate. and he
had come to the partings of the ways.
His reelection to the Speakership
appeared certain. and that office. he
once declared, had but one superior
and no peer. His mind was never be-
fore so ripe. But he was heartsore at
the prospect Of following the new and
opposite line. and he determined to
retire to private life. To his near
friend, Asher Kinds. he said. Il have
tried. perhaps not always successfully,
to make the acts Of my public life