Letter to the editor: 'Subtracting from the sum of human knowledge'

Thomas B. Reed of Maine was speaker of the House from 1890 to 1899. He ruled the House with an iron hand, partly through his acid wit.

When one member said he would rather be right than president, Reed retorted, “The gentleman need not be disturbed; he will never be either.” When another began a speech saying, “I was thinking, Mr. Speaker, I was thinking … ,” Reed announced, “… no one will interrupt the gentleman’s commendable innovation.”

I have been reminded of another of Reed’s remarks as I read the letters to the editor published in this newspaper and others, as well as some of the comments made by network pundits. Of two of his colleagues, Reed once remarked, “They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.”

I will not name names. I have no desire to embarrass anyone. But I assume most of your readers will have a list of candidates of their own.

Robert Supansic

McKeesport