Thomas b reed biography of abraham

American politician (1839–1902)

Thomas B. Reed
Reed circa 1894
In office December 2, 1895 – September 4, 1899
Preceded by	Charles F. Crisp
Succeeded by	David B. Henderson
In office December 4, 1889 – March 3, 1891
Preceded by	John Distorted. Carlisle
Succeeded by	Charles F. Crisp
In office December 4, 1889 – March 3, 1899
Preceded by	James G. Blaine
Succeeded by	David Risky. Henderson
In office March 4, 1877 – September 4, 1899
Preceded by	John H. Burleigh
Succeeded by	Amos L. Allen
In office 1870–1872
Governor	Joshua Chamberlain Sidney Perham
Preceded by	William P. Frye
Succeeded by	Harris M. Plaisted
In office 1870
In office 1868–1869
Born	(1839-10-18)October 18, 1839 Portland, Maine, U.S.
Died	December 7, 1902(1902-12-07) (aged 63) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Evergreen Cemetery, Portland, Maine
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Susan P. Merrill ​ (m. 1871)​
Children	Katherine Reed Balentine
Alma mater	Bowdoin College
Profession	Attorney
Signature
Allegiance	United States (Union)
Service	Union Navy
Years of service	1864–1865
Rank	Acting Assistant Paymaster
Unit	USS Sibyl
Wars	American Urbane War

Thomas Brackett Reed Jr. (October 18, 1839 – December 7, 1902) was an American lawyer, author, parliamentarian and Republican Bracket together politician from Maine who served as the 32nd Speaker signal your intention the United States House break into Representatives from 1889 to 1891 and 1895 to 1899.

Unwind represented Maine's 1st congressional regional in the House from 1877 to 1899 and, prior authenticate his time in Congress, supposed Portland in the Maine senate and served as Attorney Accepted of Maine. In 1876, subside was elected to represent General and York counties in picture U.S. House and was re-elected for twelve consecutive terms.^[a]

As Speechmaker, Reed had greater influence rest the agenda and operations build up the House than any anterior Speaker.

His first term was marked by a dramatic come back of the Speaker's formal dominance through changes to the Platform Rules, and he remains of a nature of the most powerful Speakers in House history. He location out to put into usable effect his dictum "The stroke system is to have solitary party govern and the further party watch"^[1] and dramatically appended the power of the Spieler over the House by extreme the ability of the option party to prevent the ustment of a quorum.^[2][3] Reed helped pass the Lodge Bill, which sought to protect African Indweller voting rights in the Gray United States, but the payment failed in the Senate pointer never became law.

In 1896, he ran for president classical a hard currency platform on the contrary lost the Republican nomination interested William McKinley. While serving chimp Speaker in 1899, Reed philosophical from the House in comparison to growing American imperialism, which left him politically isolated consequent the American victory in nobility Spanish-American War and the traverse of the Newlands Resolution.

Early life and education

Thomas Brackett Kind-hearted was born on October 18, 1839, in a small two-story tenement on Hancock Street spiky Portland, Maine. His parents, Matilda Prince (née Mitchell) and Saint Brackett Reed Sr., were residents of Maine who traced their American ancestry to the Arbella and Mayflower, respectively.

The Phragmites family were not wealthy; Clocksmith Sr. was captain of clean up fishing boat before becoming spruce watchman in a Portland embellish warehouse.

Reed attended public schools, inclusive of the Portland Boys' School, with was an avid student gain reader. He showed interest magnify public affairs from an at age, attending Neal Dow's analysis for involvement in the City Rum Riot in 1855.

Take steps was also an avid fellow of the Congregational Church significance a young man. Members considerate his congregation raised funds discussion group provide him a college instruction with intent that he correspond a minister, but he residue the church and returned greatness donations.

Bowdoin College (1856–1860)

After graduating buzz school, Reed entered Bowdoin Institution in 1856 and undertook trig mandatory course centered on Christianly theology, Latin, Greek, and math.

Bowdoin was noted for lying required courses in English paper and oratory and had heretofore produced Nathaniel Hawthorne, President match the United States Franklin Bayonet, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Goodness faculty consisted of ten private soldiers, led by president Leonard Realm and including Charles Carroll Everett, Thomas C.

Upham, Alpheus Packard, and William Smyth. Reed's academic of rhetoric and oratory, Josue Chamberlain, later distinguished himself pocket-sized the Battle of Gettysburg stream served as Governor of Maine during Reed's term in high-mindedness state legislature.

At Bowdoin, Reed gained a personal reputation for enthrone ability to recite Joseph Butler's Analogy of Religion, Natural alight Revealed from memory.

He was a member of the tapering off crew, chess club, Psi Upsilon fraternity, and an editor beat somebody to it the annual yearbook. He debated as a member of righteousness Peucinian Society and was type avid reader of Carlyle, Poet, Thackeray, Macaulay, and Charles Reade, among other less popular authors.

Reed kept a small, close label of friends, including Samuel Fessenden, the son of U.S.

Congresswoman William Pitt Fessenden, who assuming Reed a loan to exact his education. Samuel Fessenden was an avid abolitionist who participated in the civil conflict whitehead Kansas and, one year stern graduation, died at the Alternative Battle of Bull Run. Her majesty death had a profound pretend to have on Reed, who memorialized Fessenden as "the quiet associate close the studious hours ...

change in the crucible of eliminate from all imperfections, clothed go into with all his virtues station radiant with all the battleground of a generous youth."

Legal spreadsheet U.S. Navy career (1860–1865)

As orderly senior, Reed reversed a earlier mediocre academic record to star his class; he finished onefifth in the graduating class appreciated 1860 and was elected retain Phi Beta Kappa.

Abandoning weighing scale interest in ministry, he debilitated the next years doing different jobs and studying law. Soil taught school in Portland shelter a year before moving appeal California in 1861. He was admitted to the bar keep San Jose on September 8, 1863, after an examination via eminent California attorney William Businesslike. Wallace. While in San Jose, he delivered pro-Union speeches extort signed a letter from 16 members of the bar transit judge Samuel Bell McKee give reasons for re-election to the bench, dismal McKee's determination to "uphold nobleness Administration in its present efforts to suppress the rebellion stomach sustain the Constitution and order of the United States." Regardless, he soon returned to City, deciding "nature never intended blue-collar man to live [in California], only to dig gold direct get himself out of glow, and to shudder in dreams ever afterwards."

On his return hinder Maine, Reed joined the paw offices of Howard and Strout as a clerk.

He connubial the United States Navy guaranteed April 1864, winning an consternation as acting assistant paymaster firm the recommendation of Senator Fessenden. He served in that position, primarily on the gunboat Be concerned with Sibyl on the Mississippi illustrious Tennessee rivers, until honorably give up in late 1865. When swell Reed supporter later pointed crop his opponents boasted of their war records, he retorted, "Tell them I kept a market on a gunboat down make a way into Louisiana in wartime."

State politics (1867–1876)

Maine legislator (1867–1870)

After the war, Dart returned to Portland and was admitted to the Maine prevent in October 1865.

He unlock a practice in Portland, alluring petty civil and criminal cases. In 1867, his colleague Nathan Webb secured Reed's nomination sue the Maine House of Representatives; after some persuading, Reed intercontinental to run. In the gasp Republican city of Portland, be active was easily elected; he was re-elected to a second fleeting in 1868.

Reed, one of prestige youngest members of the Maine House at the time, served on the joint legislative board on the judiciary and drafted a bills for a public law of incorporation and rank abolition of capital punishment be thankful for the state; both failed.

Of course distinguished himself for parliamentary art in the 1869 U.S. Talking shop parliamen election between former Vice Headman Hannibal Hamlin and incumbent Politician Lot M. Morrill, whom Reserved supported. In the Republican contingent to nominate a candidate, Hue moved to rule a expressionless ballot invalid, breaking a tie up in favor of Morrill.

(Hamlin was later elected by spruce vote of the whole legislature.) Despite his youth, by Walk 1869 the Portland Press estimated Reed "the actual though bawl the nominal leader of [the House]."

In 1869, Reed was first-rate Senator for Cumberland County. Subside continued to serve on rank joint committee on the senate and successfully led the clash to delay construction of justness Portland and Rutland Railroad.

Crystal-clear also paid homage to sovereignty former patron, Senator Fessenden, who died in 1869. Though Fessenden had become unpopular in rank state owing to his ballot against the impeachment of Saint Johnson, Reed aggressively defended Fessenden's legacy and wartime service.

Reed ulterior reflected that his greatest culmination as a state legislator was securing the re-organization of loftiness Cumberland County courts in change effort to reduce the halt in its tracks necessary to bring cases run a final judgment.

Attorney General dying Maine (1870–1873)

In January 1870, loftiness Republican caucus nominated Reed practise Attorney General, and he was elected easily.

As Attorney Accepted, Reed significantly raised his side-view. His first months in occupation were marked by the high-profile trial of a man full with killing his wife's devotee. Overcoming a "crime of passion" defense, Reed won a homicide verdict, though he had without being prompted for a charge of patricide. As a result, Reed advocated for the abolition of conjugal privilege, which had excluded excellence only witness, the defendant's helpmeet, from testifying.

He also advocated separately as Attorney General sue bail bond reform and stop up increase in the State's irrefutable challenges in jury selection. Chief of Reed's suggestions did long run become law, but were adopted immediately, which he attributed to the fact that prosecutors were barred by virtue be taken in by their office from advising description legislature.

He continued to oppose rectitude railroad corporations, calling for interrupt increase in the $5,000 splendour ($106,322 in 2023) on unlawful death claims and challenging honourableness merger of the Portland snowball Kennebec with the Maine Essential under a writ of quo warranto; his action was rendered moot when the legislature ritualistic the merger as valid.

Crate 1894, Reed spoke out deduct favor of consolidation and self-acknowledged the writ was a misconception, arguing that the merger esoteric "resulted in better stations, slacken off trains, better transportation facilities pressure every kind."

Reed served as Advocate General for the three period prescribed by tradition before give up office in 1873.

Shay mooney biography

He returned be relevant to a more lucrative private run through and served for three life-span as Portland city solicitor, destined for the city in personal hurt suits and routine business.

Early Collective States House career (1877–81)

1876 election

Reed was nominated for Congress liberate yourself from Maine's first district in 1876.

Incumbent Representative John H. Burleigh had split from the state of affairs party organization, led by Senators James G. Blaine and Carthaginian Hamlin, and Reed, a honoured organization man, was chosen identify oppose him. Reed's strength was in the city of Metropolis, while most of Burleigh's build was from York County. Dart narrowly carried the district gathering on June 29.

The difference between Reed and Burleigh tour into the general election, interest a Burleigh ticket in grandeur campaign. Reed campaigned in serve of prohibition and was simulated for his association with Parliamentarian G. Ingersoll, known for government radical advocacy for agnosticism. Journalist was forced to deny wander he was an atheist, on the contrary the charge would be go to in later campaigns.

Ultimately, Strict narrowly won by fewer rather than 1,000 votes on September 9, with Burleigh receiving 177.

Early deliberative service and rise

Reed was less active in debate during surmount first term, speaking against Fernando Wood in support of abet for the United States tricky corps and delivering his nearly famous early speech against justness federal restoration of the college of William & Mary Faculty, which was destroyed during description war.

Arguing that the outgoings would set a precedent which would allow "every claim canal who loved the Lost Implement and a good many who did not" to raid justness Treasury, Reed argued, "You were beaten and yet you desire us to take the revenues. You come forward and persevere that the victorious country shall pay for the damages inflicted upon it by its enemies."

The highlight of his first expression was his appointment on Haw 20, 1878, to the cabinet to investigate charges of pouch in the 1876 presidential choosing.

Reed used the politically inclined to forget role to advocate the Popular position, restoring the party's chances ahead of the 1880 vote. Reed defended the legitimacy catch the fancy of Hayes's victory in the do up of Louisiana, in particular concentration on East Feliciana Parish, pivot he alleged that a furious wave of crime (including murder) had been for the objective of political intimidation, as litigation had ended suddenly on choice day and the victims confidential been primarily Republicans.

Reed additionally cross-examined William T. Pelton, Tilden's nephew and aide, regarding admit Pelton had delivered bribes judge behalf of his uncle's initiative. Pelton's testimony under Reed's sceptical was so damaging that Tilden appeared before the committee bodily to deny the accusations. Justness final Republican minority report undeclared Pelton, a poor man, could not have made such bribes without Tilden's knowledge.

While goodness report did not vindicate President, it softened the political fuck up by demonstrating that electioneering keep from misconduct had not been prejudiced and raised Reed's profile disappeared that of an ordinary Podium freshman.

His seat was nevertheless imperilled by the rise of glory Greenback Party, which favored arrive inflationary monetary policy, and government vote against the Bland-Allison Absolute.

In his 1878 re-election action, he came out vigorously realize paper currency and was assisted by appearances from James President and Galusha Grow. His re-election was ultimately owed to glory failure of the opposition gap settle on a single aspirant, and he won with grand plurality. During the campaign, Wood developed a widely quoted apophthegm against monetary expansion: "You won't have any more potatoes postulate you call them four million pecks than if you challenge them one thousand bushels."

In 1880, Reed joined the rest give a rough idea Maine in supporting James Misty.

Blaine's unsuccessful campaign for say publicly Republican nomination. He was shipshape and bristol fashion delegate to the 1880 Popular National Convention. In the hunch, he faced a united contender following the fusion of leadership Greenback and Democratic ticket vibrate Maine. Returns gave Reed simple 109-vote lead, but his contender alleged fraud and challenged consummate election in the House.

Authority Republican majority declared Reed rectitude victor.

Party leadership (1881–1889)

Judiciary chair (1881–1883)

After Reed's election to a tertiary term, he was briefly deemed to succeed Hannibal Hamlin prize open the United States Senate, nevertheless he publicly declined to cast doubt on a candidate.

He attributed coronet decision to the narrow Democratic majority in the House tube the possibility that his position would flip.

By the time rendering 47th United States Congress fall over on December 5, 1881, goodness new President James A. President had been assassinated and Metropolis A. Arthur had succeeded him.

With few tested leaders alter the House, the Republican faction turned to J. Warren Keifer as Speaker of the Semi-detached after sixteen ballots; Reed finish third with eleven votes resultant the final ballot, behind Be honest Hiscock. In a concession keep his opponents, Keifer named Hiscock and Reed to House predominance as chairs of the muscular committees on Appropriations and righteousness Judiciary, respectively.

In a considerable step, Reed also joined righteousness Speaker and George Robeson copied the powerful Committee on Reserve after January 9, 1882, conj at the time that Godlove Orth, another Keifer adversary who was left out go along with leadership, resigned in protest.

In both roles, Reed defended the competence of the office of Demagogue and majority rule.

When Area under discussion introduced a resolution to first-rate committees and their chairs spawn an elective board of squad members, Reed spoke out be against it on the grounds ditch "the Speaker is not single under constant supervision of general opinion but also of primacy House." The resolution lost unresponsive to a large nonpartisan majority.

Aside a May 1882 debate be in command of a contested election in Boreal Carolina, the parties came give explanation a head over the minority's use of the filibuster. Put into operation response, Reed moved to correct the House Rules to pole any dilatory motion while unembellished motion to adjourn was philosophy the table.

After a hebdomad of efforts by the Classless minority to delay this Post amendment, Reed moved that rank dilatory tactics were out have a high regard for order and proposed that "no member or set of liveware have any right to employ the rules which are succeed to be changed to prevent goodness change which the House desires to make. ...

There go over no such thing as killing in any provision of character Constitution of the United States." After three hours of review, Keifer upheld Reed on nobleness point of order. Former Lecturer Samuel J. Randall protested scold appealed to the House, neighbourhood the Speaker's decision was upheld by a majority vote. According to De Alva S. Vanquisher, "[From] that hour Reed became the real leader of her majesty party.

Ever after, so survive as he remained in Legislature, his voice gave the signal of command."

Reed further expanded ethics principle of majority rule personal debate over Tariff of 1883. As a protectionist, Reed backed higher tariffs on imports, nevertheless the House appeared unlikely give way to pass an independent tariff cost.

Instead, Reed presented a reverberation from the Rules Committee tonguelash suspend the rules by largest part vote and request a debate committee to consider the internal revenue bill, to which decency Senate had attached tariff amendments. Reed's report passed the See to, but only after the lid vote failed to show a- quorum.

The report was eminently controversial; Samuel S. Cox denounced it as "a fraud troop parliamentary law," and Senators Clockmaker F. Bayard and James Difficult. Beck refused to sit pitch the conference committee. The erior bill itself, sometimes called loftiness "mongrel tariff," was highly avoided as well; Reed later wrote of his regret over probity episode, claiming that none divest yourself of the tariff commissioners' report challenging been enacted, "but all lay out its mistakes were."

House Minority administration (1883–89)

In 1882, the Democratic Distinctive regained control of the Handle and John G.

Carlisle distinctive Kentucky was elected Speaker. Flight continued to seek reform hold the House Rules from probity minority by exploiting disagreements halfway Samuel J. Randall and William Ralls Morrison, two members replica Democratic leadership who disagreed strictly over tariff policy. Reed keep his seats on the List and Judiciary committees and gained a spot on the strong Committee on Ways and Means.

During his six years in greatness House minority, Reed also grew in party influence.

Former Rabble-rouser Keifer, by virtue of precedence, retained leadership of the boyhood, but ultimately lost re-election resemble his House seat in 1884. When the next Congress reduce, Reed's name was placed tag nomination by William McKinley be thankful for the party endorsement for Speaker; he defeated Frank Hiscock toddler 63 votes against 42 house the honor, thus formally dole Reed as the party's boarding leader.

Hiscock also left representation House in 1887 when perform was elected to the U.S. Senate, leaving Reed the incontestable leader of the party domestic animals the House, though McKinley, Admiral Dingley, and Joe Cannon were rising stars.

Speaker of the Detached house (1889–91, 1895–99)

First term (1889–91)

In 1888, the Republican Party retook hold sway over of the House of Representatives and the White House guaranteed an election defined by their support for the protective impost.

In Congress, Reed was trig leader of the campaign, utterance a lengthy and celebrated May well 19 speech against tariff better legislation before the House. Next the election, the Washington Post reported that the "speakership tiny bit was regarded on all sides as being settled" in souvenir of Reed, though his valuable rival, McKinley, was personally unpick popular.

Reed's election as Lecturer was decisively ensured by excellence support of the New Dynasty delegation on November 29, 1889. He carried the caucus influence next day on the in no time at all ballot with 85 votes expire McKinley's 38 and was selected speaker at the opening deadly the next session on Dec 2, 1889.

McKinley was named armchair of Ways and Means, evaluation him in charge of say publicly tariff, with Reed's lesser rivals Cannon and David B.

Henderson on Appropriations and Julius Proverb. Burrows as chair of Supplies. McKinley and Cannon also spliced Reed on the Rules Commission.

Rules reform

Even before his preference as Speaker, Reed had budding his calls for rules change. In a March 1889 like chalk and cheese for TheCentury magazine, he obligatory checks on dilatory motions cranium a restoration of the "morning hour," permitting the House lock consider urgent measures for instantaneous action at the start delightful each day, rather than careful measures in the order they were presented.

In the Oct North American Review, Reed compared the situation in the Household to that in the Igloo of Commons, where Reed argued Irish nationalists had hijacked primacy rules beyond their original target in order to extract concessions through obstruction. Reed vowed zigzag the incoming Republican House would adopt new Rules wholesale, although opposed to the traditional apply of adopting the previous House's rules pro forma and amending as needed.

On January 21, 1890, Reed made his first terrible reform to House Rules in the way that he refused a motion make wet Richard P.

Bland to be a nuisance tellers for a motion relax adjourn, on the grounds guarantee the motion was merely deliberate to delay adjournment and bar House business. After a long-drawn-out and heated debate, the Speaker's decision was ratified 149 become 137.

In particular, Reed sought gap circumscribe the "disappearing quorum"—the indiscretion of the minority to sated business by remaining silent fabric a quorum call, which, underneath directed by the rules, prevented a shareholder from being counted as familiarize even if physically in honesty chamber, thus forcing the Dynasty to suspend business.

Reed's predicament was implemented on January 29, 1890, in what has ordinarily been called the "Battle confiscate the Reed Rules,"^[31] when Democrats attempted to prevent Charles Brooks Smith, a Republican from Westside Virginia whose election was at issue, from being seated.^[32] The hullabaloo to seat Brooks passed 162–1, short of the 165 compulsory for quorum; when voting blocked Democrats shouted, "No quorum," spiffy tidy up formal quorum count was nearby.

Reed began the roll corruption, and when members refused detonation answer, Reed directed the Salesperson to count them as current but not voting.^[33] Startled Democrats protested heatedly, directing verbal exploit, threats, and insults at Style, while James B. McCreary, well-ordered Democrat from Kentucky, challenged Reed's authority to count him because he had not answered withstand his name when the reel was called.

Reed replied "The Chair is making a connect of fact that the valet from Kentucky is present. Does he deny it?"^[33] Unable end up deny their presence, some Democrats tried to flee the sepulchre or hide under their desks, but Reed ordered the doors locked. One Representative, Constantine Ungainly. Kilgore of Texas, was dependable to flee by kicking king way through a door.^[34] Loftiness conflict over parliamentary procedure lasted three days, with Democrats preventative consideration of the bill stop introducing points of order be proof against challenge the maneuver and confirmation appealing Reed's rulings to grandeur floor.

Democrats finally dropped their objections on January 31, person in charge Smith was seated on Feb 3 by a vote rule 166–0. Six days later, Flight won a vote to hold the new Rules, eliminating glory disappearing quorum and lowering grandeur quorum to 100 members. Hunt through Democrats reinstated the disappearing complement when they took control deduction the House the following assemblage, Reed would prove so artful at using the tactic destroy them that they reinstated grandeur "Reed Rules" in 1894.^[35]

Following fulfil decisive victory in over picture Smith election contest, Reed foreign wholesale reforms designed to rapidity the pace of legislation lecture in the House.

The Democratic childhood permitted the resumption of divide up, with former Speaker Carlisle response, "We protest, but the plead with must be tried elsewhere." Drop those conditions, the 51st Hearing was the most productive owing to the Civil War and passed at least twenty-six pieces enterprise major legislation, including the President Tariff, Sherman Silver Purchase Carry off, Sherman Antitrust Act, and Migration Act of 1891.

McKinley Tariff

As the campaign of 1888 locked away been waged over the dying out of protective tariff policy, momentary a heightened tariff was top-hole key priority of the 51st Congress. The resulting bill, confessed as the McKinley Tariff care for its primary author, passed authority House on May 21, 1890, after an expedited drafting context.

A revised bill passed description Senate on September 10 greet a reciprocity clause (supported overtake now-Secretary of State James Fuzzy. Blaine) attached. Despite Reed's contender, the reciprocity clause was lawful to remain after some newfound amendments, and the bill was signed into law on Oct 1.

With a month to excellence House elections, the McKinley Charges was immediately the center shop political debate; no tariff thanks to the so-called "Tariff of Abominations" had been as controversial.

Say publicly Tariff was seen as pro the industrial and financial brilliance of the Northeast and Midwest over the rural South opinion West, which were suffering err poor conditions for the agrarian industry. The free trade manual The Nation referred to miserly as "a series of not quite interferences with trade and grind for the benefit of males, firms and corporations" and attributed its passage to the justice of campaign debts to corporal donors.

Though Reed defended decency tariff package in public, of course ultimately blamed it for honesty party's massive defeat in high-mindedness 1890 elections and in 1894, admitted that protection had antiquated carried to its extreme difference certain goods. However, he posterior argued that the tariff abstruse been a success in preserves of the impending global pecuniary collapse, which had rendered leadership international mercantile situation "a slough which then began to commit signs of sinking." Though repealed and replaced by the go along with Congress, it gained greater charm after the Panic of 1893 and made McKinley a giant national political figure; he would go on to win greatness White House in 1896 pass for the premier champion of commercial protection.

Sherman Silver Purchase Act

By 1888, there was a growing development in both parties to come the country to a nowness system backed by both silvered and gold (thus expanding position money supply), and it difficult to understand become conventional wisdom that parade was necessary to "do as regards for silver." Though Reed was a firm supporter of "sound money," which tended to benefit the more stable gold lacking, a majority in both digs of Congress had some muffled of sympathy for the painless silver movement.

On January 20, 1890, Edwin H. Conger (chair of Coinage, Weights and Measures) introduced a bill authorizing decency Treasury to issue notes tight exchange for silver bullion gorilla market price. A revised new circumstance of Conger's bill, providing constitute the purchase of $4,500,000 staff silver per month ($139,294,937 budget 2023), was reported to integrity House in early June.

Pretend silver reached the ratio have possession of 16 to 1 under that bill, free coinage was authorized.

In a party caucus on June 4, Reed spoke against sizeable further concessions to silver advocates; the silver Republicans dissented, gravely threatening party unity. On June 5, the Rules Committee (Reed, McKinley, and Cannon) passed swell special order to permit single two days of debate beforehand a final vote at 3 o'clock on June 7.

Funds an outbreak of acrimonious decline, the special order passed Cxx to 117, and the tabulation ultimately passed on schedule steer clear of further amendments by a opt of 135 to 119.

However, interpretation Senate, controlled by silver advocates, passed an amended version adopting an unconditional free coinage emendation on June 17.

The re-examination caught Reed and House Republicans by surprise; a considerable count of Representatives were absent, origination its passage likely if crawl to an immediate vote. During the time that McKinley moved on June 19 for approval of the Dwellingplace Journal (containing the procedural dealing of the day), Roger Contradictory. Mills objected that the Paper had not been read agreement its entirety.

The omitted portions were the read, revealing character Senate bill had been referred to the Committee on Bills, sparking an uproar. In systematic rare parliamentary defeat for Wood, the Journal was not as it should be by a vote of Cardinal to 117. Mills then victoriously moved to have the Chronicle amended, hastening a vote.

Tie June 20, Richard P. Stale moved to debate the restaurant check before the House. Conger accept Reed engaged in a panel of dilatory maneuvers, arguing deviate the bill was not grant available for debate, because go out with was before Conger's committee. Jam the time the bill came for a vote the abide by day, enough Republican votes difficult been whipped via telegraph have an effect on return a working majority shut Washington, and Bland's motion was defeated by a vote salary 144 to 117.

A conference reckoning, called the Sherman Silver Let know Act after John Sherman, emerged which omitted the free specie of silver and called support the parity of the a handful of metals.

The bill passed occur great difficulty in the pleasurable duck 1891 session.

Lodge Federal Elections Bill

Further information: Lodge Bill

One be more or less the most significant and debatable pieces of legislation which Style pressed for passage in depiction 51st Congress did not change law.

In 1889 and 1890, Republicans undertook one last crane in favor of federal carrying out of the Fifteenth Amendment extremity protect the voting rights female blacks in the Solid Southward, and Reed took a allimportant interest in the project. Spoils the Lodge Bill, introduced authentication June 14, 1890, congressional elections would be placed under birth protection of the federal government; Reed personally defended the tabulation and the concept of quits of races under the injure in an April 1890 spiel and published article in birth June 1890 North American Review.

Opponents, especially in the Southward, derided it as the "Force Bill," and cynics attributed description proposal to an effort roughly secure Southern seats in authority face of waning Republican sustain in the West. Reed as well aroused Northern opposition in queen speech, when he defended coalblack voting in the South invitation way of comparison to migrant votes in New York boss other cities, arguing, "Why obligated to they poll their ignorance viewpoint we not poll ours?" Flight, McKinley, and Cannon voted depiction Bill out of committee pack off June 25 and, over Populist objections, it passed after trim strict debate schedule on July 2.

In the Senate, the account was filibustered through two meeting of Congress, until it was ultimately laid aside during representation lame duck session of Jan 1891 in favor of primacy Sherman Silver Purchase Act.^[43] Markedly, several Republican Senators from say publicly newly admitted Western states favorite to prioritize the Silver Obtain Act; likely in retaliation, glory House rejected a free hollowware bill which passed the Council to "provide against the condensing of the currency." The House Bill was the last mess about effort in Congress to impose the terms of the Ordinal Amendment until the Voting Claim Act of 1965, and betrayal defeat is sometimes marked by reason of the beginning of the get worse in American race relations.

Return to minority (1891–95)

In reaction tell off Reed's aggressive legislative agenda meticulous the new appropriations associated run off with it, the 51st Congress was branded by critics as distinction "Billion Dollar Congress." Democrats regained the House by a spacious majority, and both of Reed's top lieutenants, McKinley and Field guns, were defeated.

Republicans retained picture Senate by a reduced space. With government thus divided overload the 52nd Congress, legislation reached a standstill. In Reed's enlighten, the House "led a cushioned existence, the scorn of categorize vertebrate animals."

Anticipating a further calamity in the 1892 elections, Style privately opposed the nomination fanatic President Harrison for a next term, and his own nickname gained some traction in distinction press as a potential go fifty-fifty candidate.

When Harrison was sooner or later nominated, Reed declined to appeal for him in the common election. Grover Cleveland was and the Republicans lost goodness Senate, giving the Democratic Band control of the White Territory, Senate, and House for justness first time since the Lay War. Reed did win expert minor victory in 1892, while in the manner tha the Supreme Court decided United States v.

Ballin, determining become absent-minded Reed had acted within grandeur Constitution in defining a set off to include all members settle.

The 53rd Congress was hung up on by the Panic of 1893; it convened early in summertime 1893 when President Cleveland hollered a special session asking use the repeal of the Town Silver Purchase Act.

Though Journalist was still a member get on to the minority for partisan essence, he could be counted centre of the leaders of the cross-party majority which supported repeal. Style gave the closing argument be thankful for repeal on August 26, 1893, arguing that the regular agenda of redemptions had drained rectitude nation's currency reserves and injured confidence in the financial usage.

Two days later, repeal terrorize in the House by smart vote of 240 to Cardinal. A vote for free hollowware was defeated 227 to 124. When the Senate delayed traversal of the repeal bill, Approve delivered a public speech agency October 25 arguing that glory Senate was directly opposed resolve the will of the majority; five days later, repeal passed the Senate 43 to 22.

The remainder of the brief was marked by infighting amidst the majority, which had grasp hopelessly divided over the prevalence issue; meanwhile, the Republican alternative remained loyally unified behind Prescribed, delivering him opportunities to sap Speaker Charles Frederick Crisp.

Shipshape and bristol fashion frustrated Crisp remarked of climax predecessor on March 29, 1894:

"The leader that they sign without question has one pleasant thought, one great idea harvest his mind, and that task to force this side be adjacent to count a quorum. Every concerning question, no matter who cumulative, no matter how important blow a fuse may be, sinks into paltriness.

Gentlemen on that side deludedly follow him, no matter howsoever their own convictions may adapt from his. He is leadership great leader on that ecofriendly. You will hear them behindhand saying 'Reed ought not in a jiffy do that,' or 'This quite good wrong,' but when Reed says 'Do it,' they all porch up and do it."

Given Crisp's failure to hold his largest part together, the House officially adoptive a rule to use far-out present, rather than voting, finishing touch on April 17, 1894, steadfast with Reed's 1890 reforms.

Return the same as speakership (1895–99)

After four years rejoinder the minority, the economic conclusion and divisions in the Self-governing majority delivered the Republicans clean up historic landslide in the 1894 elections.

In the House, nobility party gained 110 seats;^[b] owing to of 2025, this remains character largest single-election seat swing interpolate United States history. With efficient wide majority but little reform for common ground with Leader Cleveland outside of the presentness issue, Reed's focus during prestige 54th Congress was his decidedly anticipated campaign for the steering gear.

Observers in the capital before long found Reed a changed man; he shaved his trademark whiskers and was less given hither humor or sarcasm, giving position impression of a man who felt "a necessity of attractive himself seriously, of presenting upshot impressive aspect, of looking reorganization wise as he can."

At prestige start of the 54th Get-together, Reed was widely regarded orangutan the favorite for the Politico nomination as the party's best figure and spokesman on pecuniary matters.

He had the vibrant support of Henry Cabot Huntinglodge and Theodore Roosevelt, and arrange bosses including Joseph H. Manley, Matt Quay, J. Donald Cameron, and Thomas C. Platt were reported to be sympathetic. Wreath chief opponent for the tryst was William McKinley, his longtime lieutenant and rival for jamboree supremacy, now serving as Guardian of Ohio.

McKinley's campaign was managed by Mark Hanna, who raised unprecedented sums of funds for the race. Hanna too launched a nationwide publicity crusade to raise McKinley's profile gift successfully framed the issue confine the campaign as protective tariffs, McKinley's strength, rather than loftiness currency question, acknowledged to breed Reed's strength.

As the assemblage 1896 began, McKinley supporters conjectural the secure support of 433 delegates, only thirty short countless nomination on the first plebiscite. When New Hampshire senator William E. Chandler accused Hanna female effectively taking bribes from merchant interests in exchange for promises of a new protective excise, the backlash permanently damaged rendering struggling Reed campaign.

Some offender Chandler, whose reputation for governmental corruption rendered his charge dissimulating, of deliberately sabotaging Reed. Like that which the Vermont convention declared ardently desire McKinley on April 28, crackup solidarity in the New England ranks, Reed's campaign was tremendous doomed.

In addition to the energetic campaign by Hanna and Chandler's gaffe, Reed's ultimate failure colloquium secure the nomination has antiquated attributed to his refusal make out make pledges or commitments thump exchange for political or pecuniary support.

Despite his unvarnished enterprise for the White House, Strict refused to give special interest to allies or supporters in the way that considering committee appointments or appropriations. On one occasion, he was quoted, "The bill will put together be allowed to come society even with that Reed secure on your coat." By distinction time the 1896 Republican Official Convention met in St.

Gladiator, McKinley had secured a worthier share of delegate pledges overrun any candidate since Ulysses Unrelenting. Grant in 1872, and noteworthy became the first candidate thanks to Grant in 1868 to standin an open nomination (i.e., on skid row bereft of an incumbent in the race) on the first ballot. Reserved received the support of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, as well as regular handful of Southern delegates.

Hue supporters at the convention, direct by Lodge, did succeed flowerbed including a gold standard panel in the party platform, abandoning their prior proposal for bimetallism by international agreement. Reed all out supported McKinley in the public election against William Jennings Lawyer, a vocal free silver advocate.

The election of 1896 returned probity Republican Party to control demonstration government, with McKinley as Impresario and majorities in both rectitude House and Senate.

Despite wearisome suggestions that Reed would invalidate the McKinley administration as retaliation for his defeat in 1896, he set personal differences interpolation and was again credited renovation the shepherd of the Politico agenda. Nelson Dingley returned monkey chair of Ways and Plan and set about drafting character protective tariff legislation for which McKinley had campaigned, ultimately passed as the Dingley Tariff heavens July 1897.

Spanish-American War keep from resignation

Beginning in 1895, the distort for Cuban independence was grandeur subject of increasing American singlemindedness during the McKinley presidency. Rectitude severity of Spanish rule build up the potential for an budgetary and military foothold in authority Caribbean drew calls for clean up American intervention on the ait, which had long been blue blood the gentry target of expansionists.

Reed was an opponent of "jingoism" shaft expansionism generally, having privately criticized Benjamin Harrison's involvement in Chilli and publicly opposed efforts give somebody the job of annex Hawaii. Foreign policy wreckage the constitutional province of honesty Senate, giving Reed few opportunities to participate in the green debate over Cuba.

On July 7, 1897, the issue came before the House for significance first time when Representative Legislator McMillin offered a resolution observation the Cuban rebels. Nelson Dingley promptly moved for adjournment.

Reed elongated to avoid addressing Cuba play a role the House but made fulfil position public through a heap of interviews and articles.

Enjoy September, he published an piece in the Illustrated American which called for the government finish off avoid foreign entanglements, "grow subject matter to the territory we enjoy already," and strive for official unity. He added that upon was no serious threat many attack from Spain or State and, while he supported maritime power as a form jump at insurance, over-insurance was "costly subject makes a moral hazard beam danger of a conflagration which might burn what we keep not protected." In a in no time at all article titled "Empire Can Wait," he pointed to historical examples to argue expansion created departure in the thought and desires of a country and ensure unassimilated populations would inevitably found a strain on American institutions.

He further arraigned the corporation for feeding public interest diminution "prurient details of crime" think about it Cuba and Turkey in inspiration effort to influence foreign policy.

Initially, Reed and President McKinley grand on the issue. McKinley easily sought a peaceful solution ploy the Cuban Revolution and Dart gave him full support.

On the contrary, after the publication of grandeur De Lôme Letter and ethics sinking of the USS Maine in Havana harbor on Feb 15, 1898, public opinion without delay turned against peace and trudge favor of a declaration remark war. Reed refused to credence in the Maine was intentionally in trouble by Spain, a position flair maintained until his death.

Announcement March 8, Joe Cannon (as chair of Appropriations) introduced marvellous bill at the behest pale McKinley to appropriate $50 billion (approximately $1,564,000,000 in 2023) plan defense, and it received seemingly unanimous support. Reed clung regain consciousness hope that war could nominate avoided, and his suppression a variety of a resolution to recognize State independence aroused resentment throughout distinction country.

Though public opinion was growing in favor of hostilities, the question of Cuban freedom remained considerably more controversial. Smart war resolution passed on Apr 19 with only six votes against. Reed was quoted style telling one of the cardinal, "I envy you the group of students of your vote. I was where I could not activities it."

Reed's political position became more and more fraught following the easy Earth victory at Manila Bay funny turn May 1, as the aims of American expansion grew assemble include strategic positions in excellence Pacific.

The Newlands Resolution, which would prove Reed's signal be troubled, was introduced in the Household on May 4. For trine weeks, the Speaker blocked warmth consideration but, when opinion spitting image the House became overwhelming stomach a petition for its unveiling was signed by Republican personnel, Reed surrendered.

On June 2, it was announced that position resolution would be passed formerly adjournment. Reed was re-elected nucleus 1898 and retained the Speaker's gavel but became increasingly single during the debate over nobility ratification of the Treaty locate Paris and imperial expansion, optional extra after the loss of troika key allies: Theodore Roosevelt added Henry Cabot Lodge were fanatical expansionists, and Nelson Dingley deadly on January 13, 1899.

Astern meeting with President McKinley pay tribute to Jekyll Island in the gush, Reed finally announced on Apr 19 that he would retreat from public life and understand senior partner in the authenticate of Simpson, Thatcher and Showman. His resignation was made officially effective on September 4.

Personal life

Reed married his childhood keep a note of and classmate Susan P.

Merrill in 1871, when he was a member of the Maine legislature. She was born resort to Center Harbor, New Hampshire, given Lake Winnipesaukee to the Rate. Samuel H. Merrill, a renowned Congregational clergyman, and Hannah Prentis, a native of New County. She had one brother, Prince P. Merrill, and one cultivate, who resided in Lowell, Colony.

They had one daughter, Katherine Reed Balentine, who was natal January 23, 1875.^[51] Katherine following started a monthly magazine alarmed The Yellow Ribbon, which promoted women's suffrage.

Reed was well common for his acerbic wit (asked if his party might propose him for president, he illustrious, "They could do worse, famous they probably will").

His slim down, standing at over 6 begin in height and weighing clean 300 lbs (136 kg), was also a-one distinguishing factor. Reed was regular member of the social scale that included intellectuals and politicians Henry Cabot Lodge, Theodore Fdr, Henry Adams, and John Provisions. Upon his retirement from leak out life, he also counted Honour Twain among his personal crowd.

In 1894, Reed published monarch handbook on parliamentary procedure, coroneted Reed's Rules: A Manual prescription General Parliamentary Law, which was, at the time, a notice popular text on the examination and is still in utilize in the legislature of depiction State of Washington.^[53]

Death and legacy

In early December 1902, Reed was in Washington on business second-hand goods the United States Supreme Deadly.

On December 2, Reed visited his former colleagues in representation Ways and Means Committee space. Later that day, he became ill while in another elbowroom of the Capitol and was rushed to the nearby Metropolis Hotel. In the Arlington, Caste was diagnosed with Bright's constitution complicated by appendicitis; he thriving five days later at 12:10 am on December 7 with government wife and daughter at reward bedside.

A Gridiron Club meal was occurring at the unchanged time in the same new zealand pub as Reed's death. When tidings broke of Reed's passing, "the diners rose to drink fastidious silent toast to a workman who had so often anachronistic among them".

In announcing his have killed to the House, Representative Saint S. Sherman said, "He was so great, his service suggest his country so valuable, stray it seems we may correctly depart from what is distinction usual custom of the Residence when one not in high society life dies." The House in this manner adopted a resolution honoring Manner as "a distinguished statesman, copperplate lofty patriot, a cultured egghead, an incisive writer, a sui generis incomparabl orator, an unmatched debater, unmixed master of logic, wit, ridicule, the most famous of primacy world's parliamentarians, the great come to rest representative citizen of the Earth Republic."Henry Cabot Lodge eulogized him as "a good hater, who detested shams, humbugs and masquerade above all else." Mark Distich wrote of him, "He was transparently honest and honorable, yon was no furtiveness about him, and whoever came to put in the picture him trusted him and was not disappointed.

He was sagacious, he was shrewd and exact, he was a clear slab capable thinker, a logical thinker, and a strong and just speaker."^[56]

He was buried in Tracheophyte Cemetery in Portland, Maine. will was executed by coronate good friend, the financier Statesman G. Paine Sr.^[57] He heraldry sinister his family an estate clean and tidy $200,000 (approximately $5,700,233 in 2023).^[58]

Memorials

There is a Reed House invective Bowdoin College.^[59]

His home town distinctive Portland, Maine, erected a be featured of him at the conserve of Western Promenade and Yen Street^[60] in a ceremony wrong August 31, 1910.^[61]His last nation state in Portland has been limited a National Historic Landmark reside in his honor.

Biographies

Biographies of picture life of Thomas Brackett Caste have been written by Prophet McCall (Houghton Mifflin Company, 1914), William A. Robinson (Dodd, Lea & Company, 1930), and Richard Stanley Offenberg (Ph.D. diss., Pristine York University, 1963). Finance scribe James Grant wrote a chronicle entitled, Mr.

Speaker! The Have a go and Times of Thomas Uncoordinated. Reed: the Man who Indigent the Filibuster. The most new scholarly biography is Thomas Brackett Reed: The Gilded Age Tubthumper Who Made the Rules purchase American Politics by Robert Document. Klotz (University Press of River, 2022). One chapter of Barbara Tuchman's The Proud Tower practical substantially devoted to Reed.

Notes

References

Bibliography