“Then a wonderful thing happened. A great, massive figure arose on the
Republican side of the house and came over and took a seat directly in
front of the speaker. He had come over to hear what Mr. Johnson was
saying, and when Tom Reed came across to listen to a Democrat, everyone
else listened, you may be sure. A hush fell on the house that remained
unbroken until the speaker sat down in a burst of applause. That was
the happiest day of my life.”