The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1915-04-01

committee. and, "the winning Of this ap-
pointmenr after only four years service
in the House afforded striking proof Of
the rspidity with which he had risen in
the estimation of his associates" Later
he was appointed to fill vacancy on the
Committee on Rules, which in those days
was perhaps the most important politi-
cal committee in the House.
The Maine delegation in the 47th Con-
gress was elected at large, Reed leading
the other candidates of his party on the
ticket. There was Democratic major
ity in the House. Gen. Keifer was re-
nominated for Speaker by the Republic
cans and Carlisle was nominated by the
Democrats, and elected. In this Con-
gress Reed won his way to the real lead
ership of his party in the House, lead
ershp which he retained without rival
so long as he remained a member. In
| 1884 he was reelected by a substantial
majority and in 1886 and in each subse-
quent campaign he was nominated by his
party by reclamation. When the 49th
Congress assembled at it's December SEES.
sion in 1885 he received large majority
in the Republican caucus and was the
party nominee for the Speakership,
Mckinley of Ohio making the nominal
ing speech. This made Reed tltular
leader of his party in the House, and
from that time until he retired from
Congress nearly fifteen years later he
was the candidate for, Speaker of his
party whether it was in majority or a
minority. At this time he received 1873
votes against 178 for Carlisle. In this
Congress he was for the first time a
member of the Ways and Means COM
mittee. As leader of the minority Reed
renewed his efforts made in the proceed
ing Congress to change the rules of the
House; and although majority of his
party was against him he upheld Presi-
dent Cleveland in his stand against the
silver legislation.
The next House was Republican and
there were many candidates. for the
Speakership and the vote in the Repub-
lican caucus was extremely close, but
Reed won on the second ballot, receiving
S5 votes, one more than majority, and
the choice of the caucus was ratified in
the House, Reed receiving 166 votes to
l54 for Carlisle. In this Congress Reed
succeeded in revising the rules so that
those present were counted to make a
quorum and the public business could
not be obstructed by members refusing
when present to answer roll call. He
was denounced as Gar Reed, but later,
when in the minority, had the satisfac-
tion of seeings the Democrats resort to
the same rule to carry on the public bus
mess.
In the Congressional elections of 1890
the Democrats got control of the House
and Reed was the minority leader, but
In the 54th Congress he was again chosen
Speaker OF the House, receiving 24O
votes to IS for Crisp, the Democratic
candidate. In the winter of 1856 Reed
was much talked of as the candidate of
his party for President, and of course
had the loyafsupport of his native State,
and his interests were looked after by
Hon. Joseph Manley, the Maine member
OF the Republican National committee.
After attending meeting of this COM
mlttee Mr.. Manley publicly declared that
Mckinley would be nominated on the first
ballot. This naturally created conster-
nation among Mr.. Reeds friends, who
were ready to keep up the fight to the
end. 1t was an error of judgment
on Mr.. Manley's part for which he was
severely criticised and which he ever
after regretted. The convention met in
st. Louis on June 6, 1896, and the nom
nations were made June 10Th. Reed s
name was presented in brilliant speeches
by Senator Lodge of Massachusetts and
Hon. Charles E. Littlefield, one of the
delegates at large from Maine. McKin-
ley was nominated on the first ballot,
Reed receiving 83 1-2 votes. His biogra-
pher says: eff all the delegates had act
ed according to their real opinions and
the opinions of their constituents he
would have received a much larger
VOTE"
Mckinley was elected President and
both Houses of Congress were Republi-
can by large majorities, and Reed was
again chosen Speaker. In 1898 he was
elected to the House for the twelfth
time and would have again been elected
Speaker, but found himself at variance
with the administration. He was opposed
to the war with Spain and did not approve
of the acquisition of the Philippines ana
decided to resign his seat in Congress
and so notified his constituents. He
may have been moved to this decision
somewhat by desire to provide for his
family. and himself in his declining
years, as Congressman's salary, while
it may seem large to some, is no more
than sufficient to meet the demands upon
it.
Mr.. Reed entered upon the practice of
law in New York city as the senior men,
| her of successfnl law firm and added