Congressman Thomas Brackett Reed Jr. of Portland is on most lists of great U.S.

Authors

Jim Brunelle

Source

Down East

Date

11-1-2005

Pages

74-77, 95

Abstract

Congressman Thomas Brackett Reed Jr. of Portland is on most lists of great U.S. House Speakers and is best remembered for breaking the "silent filibuster" or "silent veto," a procedure he himself employed as a member of the minority. He had both a towering physical and a towering intellectual presence and was forcible and lucid in argument. Unlike many contemporaries, he accepted no favors from special interests. He was elected to the state legislature and then became state attorney general in 1870, at age 30. He abruptly retired from politics in 1899 and later became close friends with Mark Twain. He died in 1902, at the age of 63.

Subjects

Reed, Thomas Brackett

Recommended Citation

Brunelle, Jim, "Congressman Thomas Brackett Reed Jr. of Portland is on most lists of great U.S." (2005). Maine News Index - Down East Magazine. 3001.
https://digitalcommons.portlandlibrary.com/news_downeast/3001