The Washington herald., 1914-11-27
HISTORY BUILDERS.
Why Speaker Reed Failed to Score
in New York.
Cwhtten Expressly for me Herah.)
By DR.. L. y. EDWARDS.

When Thomas B. Reed resigned his
seat in Congress and announced that he
had retired permanently to private life
having accepted an offer OF q partnership
with a prominent law firm in New York
| City, It was the general expectation that
he would speedily enter upon a practice
which would be as remunerative and con-
spicuous as was the professional practice
which was gained by Roscoe Conkling
States Senate in 1881 and opened a law
offlce in New York City.
Conkllng always attracted a great
throng when II was announced that he
would argue case in court That was
true not only Of New York. but also of
other places where Conkling went TO at
tend a session in court. In Kansas City,
for instance. multitude followed Conk-
ling's footsteps to the courthouse and
filled the courtroom to overfowing. In
tent upon seeing Rpd hearing him.
Ex-Speaker Reed had obtained in New
York City a reputation for intellectual
ability, for powers Of sarcasm, and for
biting wit which was not less than Conk-
ling himself had gained for like quail
ties. He was at the time he began prac-
tice in New York easily the most con-
spicuous member OF his party. excepting
Mckinley and perhaps two or three others
who were then in public life.
After Mr.. Reed had been in New York
a year or two there began to be heard
comment in various places where lawyers
or men OF affairs met which related to
the curious and unexpected failure Of Mr..
Reed to hold in New York the position he
had obtained when he was in public life.
All sorts OF explanations were given for
his apparent lapse from q conspicuous
position to the reverse OF that Some
fhnnuhf ha had axb0mafad his
ers while serving as Speaker; others were
OF the opinion that his heart was broken
when he failed TO receive the Republican
nomination for President in 1895.
Upon one occasion, in a hearing before
ex-Judge Choate, in which Mr.. Reed and
his partners took part as counsel for one
OF the parties, had opportunity to OBJ
serve him. was astonished to discover
a sort Of languid manner. He appeared
to be Iistless. His mind seemed to be on
other things than the case which Judge
Choate was hearing as referee. The
thought occurred to me that possibly
Mr.. Reed might be in bad health. but
an hour later. in the corridor Of the
building, he met 4 warm personal friend.
and when he entered into conversation
with him he was the old Tom Reed
There was even the same squeak in his
voice.
After Mr. Reeds death was told that
the real reason for Reeds apparent fall
ure in New York was, first, the fact that
he had accumulated handsome fortune
so that he had no need to exert himself.
and. second, because he felt that his ca
reer was we'll rounded out, and he was
therefore justified In taking all the leis-
ure he wanted for the kind OF reading.
especially French. Of which he was fond.
and also for meeting men who had
achieved greatly and matching wit with
them, Had he been so disposed. he un-
doubtedly could have gained high pro-
fessional education and a very remuner-
ative practice Mr.. Reed once told me
that he was naturally a lazy man. al
though capable of great spurts Of indus
try. and 1t may be that he felt the time
had come when he could indulge freely
In his natural disposition.
lCOpynght. 1914. BY Z. J. EdWardA All rights 70
SCrel)
Tomorrow DR.. Edwards will tell of
Gov Flower at Niagara Falls"