Editing Thomas Brackett Reed (section)

==Early United States House career (1877–81)==
[[File:Thomas Brackett Reed - Brady-Handy.jpg|thumb|Reed, {{circa|1870s}}]]
=== 1876 election ===
Reed was nominated for Congress from [[Maine's 1st congressional district|Maine's first district]] in 1876. Incumbent Representative [[John H. Burleigh]] had split from the state party organization, led by Senators [[James G. Blaine]] and [[Hannibal Hamlin]], and Reed, a respected organization man, was chosen to oppose him.{{Sfn|Robinson|1930}} Reed's strength was in the city of Portland, while most of Burleigh's support was from [[York County, Maine|York County]]. Reed narrowly carried the district convention on June 29.{{Sfn|Robinson|1930}} The conflict between Reed and Burleigh carried into the general election, with a Burleigh ticket in the campaign. Reed campaigned in favor of prohibition and was attacked for his association with [[Robert G. Ingersoll]], known for his radical advocacy for [[agnosticism]]. Reed was forced to deny that he was an [[Atheism|atheist]], but the charge would be repeated in later campaigns. Ultimately, Reed narrowly won by fewer than 1,000 votes on September 9, with Burleigh receiving 177.{{Sfn|Robinson|1930}}

=== Early congressional service and rise ===
Reed was relatively active in debate during his first term, speaking against [[Fernando Wood]] in support of funding for the United States diplomatic corps and delivering his most famous early speech against the federal restoration of the campus of [[William & Mary College]], which was destroyed during the war. Arguing that the expenditure would set a precedent which would allow "every claim agent who loved the Lost Cause and a good many who did not" to raid the Treasury, Reed argued, "You were beaten and yet you want us to take the consequences. You come forward and insist that the victorious country shall pay for the damages inflicted upon it by its enemies."{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=42–46}}

The highlight of his first term was his appointment on May 20, 1878, to [[Electoral Commission (United States)#Aftermath|the committee]] to investigate charges of fraud in the [[1876 United States presidential election|1876 presidential election]].{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=47–55}} Reed used the politically sensitive role to advocate the Republican position, restoring the party's fortunes ahead of the 1880 election.{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=47–55}} Reed defended the legitimacy of Hayes's victory in the state of [[Louisiana]], in particular focusing on [[East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana|East Feliciana Parish]], where he alleged that a violent wave of crime (including murder) had been for the purpose of political intimidation, as it had ended suddenly on election day and the victims had been primarily Republicans.{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=47–55}} Reed also cross-examined William T. Pelton, Tilden's nephew and aide, regarding evidence Pelton had delivered bribes on behalf of his uncle's campaign.{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=47–55}} Pelton's testimony under Reed's questioning was so damaging that Tilden appeared before the committee himself to deny the accusations. The final Republican minority report suggested Pelton, a poor man, could not have made such bribes without Tilden's knowledge.{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=47–55}} While the report did not vindicate Hayes, it softened the political blow by demonstrating that electioneering and misconduct had not been one-sided and raised Reed's profile beyond that of an ordinary House freshman.{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=47–55}}

His seat was nevertheless threatened by the rise of the [[Greenback Party]], which favored an inflationary monetary policy, and his vote against the [[Bland-Allison Act]].{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=42–46}} In his 1878 re-election campaign, he came out vigorously against paper currency and was aided by appearances from [[James Garfield]] and [[Galusha Grow]]. His re-election was ultimately owed to the failure of the opposition to settle on a single candidate, and he won with a plurality.{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=57–58}} During the campaign, Reed developed a widely quoted aphorism against monetary expansion: "You won't have any more potatoes if you call them four thousand pecks than if you call them one thousand bushels."{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=57–58}}

In 1880, Reed joined the rest of Maine in supporting [[James G. Blaine]]'s unsuccessful campaign for the Republican nomination. He was a delegate to the [[1880 Republican National Convention]].{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=74–75}} In the fall, he faced a united opposition following the fusion of the Greenback and Democratic ticket in Maine. Returns gave Reed a 109-vote lead, but his opponent alleged fraud and challenged his election in the House. The Republican majority declared Reed the victor.{{sfn|Robinson|1930|pp=74–75}}