Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1899 — Passing of Reed. [ARTICLE]

Passing of Reed.

South Bend Tribune: Thomas B. Reed, of Maine, once so popular and influential, a leader whom republicans were delighted to honor and follow, has pursued a codrse of late that spoils all his good record of the past, takes away his laurels of leadership and puts him on the list of party renegades. Reed began to show the cloven foot soon after the St. Louis convention when he failed to get the presidential prize he courted. He was so far away from it that it completely soured him and he has never since been the staunch, bouyant, hopeful, reliable republican that he was before. He further showed the sore spot on his head when he took issue with the majority of his party on the expansion question and his littleness and meanness was made manifest when refused of Gen. Wheeler, a member of the house, to allow Gen. Shafter the privileges of -the floor in recognition of soldier’s valiant services to his country. His explanation was that the house of representatives was greater than any major general anc therefore in a position not to know a man who had heroically placed bis life between the house of representatives and danger. It was a persona insult to brave Gen. Wheeler anc to the whole army and was just an exhibition of pique—-that was all.

/Again Mr..ReedhaStaken upon hitnself the unwarranted task of oppossing the administration in aH its efforts to adjust affairs resulting ‘from the lute war. He has even given .notice that he will place every obstacle fie can in the way of'the president’s policy. In this he is a regular Andy Johnson, and it is safe to predict that if he pefSists in his obstructive methods, he will go down into the same sea of obscurity that covers the name and‘fame Of Lincoln’s immediate successor today, Mr. Reed has carried his persona pique to such an extent that he has (lost his prestige in congress and he never more can be speaker of that body. It is the feeling that a sound, solid, broad and capable western than, one who will in touch'with McKinley and his policy, shall be called at the next session to preside over the lower house, and this sentiment is rapidly spreading over the country. At any rate Reed’s power is gone and it would be Well for the once proud and powerful leader to lay aside his wand and retire to private life. 1 ,