Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 July 1886 — MR. REED AS A LEADER. [ARTICLE]

MR. REED AS A LEADER.

He Is a Man of Great Boldness, Resources, and Grit. * ’ [Letter to Cincinnati Enquirer.] While Blaine was Speaker and Senator there appeared upon the scene a Congressman by the name of Reed. He was a large, boyish-natured man, and his reputation slowly spread, and became first observable when he had a celebrated campaign to make for re-election, when he bravely got through. He reipained over in the House after Blaine, Frye, and Hale had left it to go to the Senate. It was soon seen that he was going to keep up the reputation of his State in Congress. At the present time he probably holds as high a position as Mr. Blaine ever held on the floor, and a higher one than either Frye or Hale ever had. At the same time the combination of qualities in him which have attracted attention is entirely different from any of the others. He is neither witty, like Blaine, nor assumptive, like Hale, nor military and stiff, like Frye. He is genuine and nearty, always taking joy in encounter, striking hard, strong blows, yet entertaining no malice. He can rise and make a speech alter some one has spoken on a topic not previously discussed, and follow that opponent in a general impeachment with boldness, resources, and wit, all expended together in a sort of massive charge, wherein the man seems to take a stature above that which he holds in the general concern and intercourse of things. It is said that he is really a poor politician at home, does not comprehend numbers and forces, as Blaine does, and trusts to general behavior and principles for his success. Nature has done a good deal for him, giving him a large, wholesome, powerful body* with voice and health to match, and if he came from any large city of the West or the Middle States, or the South, he would probably attract more attention than he does. The leadership of the House has gone into his hands, and you seldom find him abashed or overthrown.

I heard Mr. Dorsheimer Bay when he was in Congress that on one occasion the Speaker had called him to the chair, and Abram Hewitt of New York made a speech on the whisky question full of strange and original affirmations. They were so novel that Mr. Dorsheimer, with the gavel in his hand, sat wondering whether they could all be overthrown. Then, he said, Reed got up, who had already attracted the attention of some distinguished English visitor for his bearing some remarkable resemblance to William Shakspeare. Reed made a formidable attack upon Hewitt’s position, bold and trenchant, with meat in every sentence. Dorsheimer sat and looked at him with a mixture of wonder and admiration. In short Mr. Reed, being relieved from a multitude of sharp colleagues in Congress, had now set up for himself. He seems to be a man of natural powers, only requiring opportunity to get ease, and to develop to the fullest force.