The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-09-04
Our Next Congressman.

county communication published in the AdUer-
tiSer relative to Hon. John H. Burleigh As
he will represent the First District in the For
ty-third Congress, it will be of interest to our
readers: z t-a ~. II .l
- To South Berwick came MANY wears AGO.
William Burlelgh, lawyer of repute, born at
Gilmanton, New Hampshire and so identified
himself with the interests of his neghbors and
fellow citizens throughout the district that for
two successive terms he was chosen to repre-
sent them at Washington, serving in the 18th
and 10th Congresses His public services dur
ing these four years broke up his professional
practice, atfording no adequate compensation,
and when he died in 1928, he left to his widow
and five children barely the house which shell
tered them and the heritage of his good name
John II. Burleigh, the youngest of the four
sons thus left fatherless, was six years old in
1923. Arrived at the age of sixteen, he resolv-
ed, like many other spirited boys, to seek his for
tune on the sea, and it is related az an indica-
ton of his tial affection and generosity that
on his return from his first voyage of nine
months at seven dollars month"; he turned
over two-thirds of his small earnings to his
mother. First seaman, then second mate, then
mate, then master, he pursued his occupation
for fifteen years, sailing all over the world in
the sugar trade, the cotton trade and the East
India trade For three years he was second
mate and mate OF one ship, and never left her
for single day. Such diligence and fidelity
were sure to be rewarded, and when Captain
Burleigh, in 1858, left the sea, he owned part
of his ship and reckoned his income for that
last year at $4,000, I.T-t ~
In 1855, after taking time to look the ground
over thoroughly, Captain Burleigh invested
$4,000, all he was then worth, in wooden mill
in his native town, called from the Indian
name of the stream which furnishes the power,
the Newichawamck mill. The enterprise pros
pered and in 1859 and 1860 the company were
able to build and pay out of their net earnings
for the new mills which they have since aeccu-
pied The mills are some three quarters of
mile south of the village, the stream upon
which they stand flowing into the Salmon Falls
river. They contain ten sets of machinery and
employ l75 hands, with a monthly pay roll
amounting to $4500.C The desolate swamp in.
which they were located has become scene of
busy activity. and the somnolent village has
awakened to a new existence. The product of
the mills is about $500 900 year, and about
one half of these goods have been marketed by
Mr.. Burleigh, the agent and treasurer of the
company, without the Intervention of any midi
die men between the manufacturers and the
trade. The Ne Wichawamieks Company early
acquired q national reputation for sound and
durable work, which did not deteriorate during
the war. They received no army contracts:
most of their goods have been made for the
regular trade.
Mr. Burleigh became speedily very promi-
nent figure in his native town. He is now
President of the South Berwick National Bank
and of the South Berwick Savings Bank. Dur
ing the war he was chosen Representative in
the Legislature every time the choice fell to his
town, serving in 1862, 1864, 1866, and again in
the Legislature of 1872. In 1864 he was chosen
delegate at large to the National Convention
which met at Baltimore and nominated Lincoln
and johnson. In 1866, the news of Johnson's
extraordinary speech OH the White House steps
assailing Mr. Sumner and other Republican
leaders of the Senate, reached Augusta Just as
the Legislature was onithe point of adjourning,
and with it came conflicting telegrams--from
one of our Senators, Stand by the Senate!''
from one of our Representatives, ''Stand by the
Presidentp" 1t was then that Mr.. Rurleigh, in
joint convention of both branches of the Leg
isature, opposed the resolution censuring Pres
ident johnson, On the ground that such action
was premature, and finally voted against it.
This vote was construed by the Democrats of
York county as meaning much more than Mr.
Bnrleigh intended for at their county conyen-
ton at Alfred that fall they nominated him for
the Stale Senate-an honor which he instantly
declined. The Biddeford Journal, which had
censured his vote in the Legislature Assumed,
on hearing of the Alfred nomination, that he
had gone over to the enemy, but was soon I'M
deceived and published an authentic statement
of his real position. sia51I sal - - - t-iis'
The foundation of Mr. Burleigh's political
opinions are the old fashioned Wing doctrines
which his father upheld in Congress-. The only
statesman whose portrait hangs in the library,
besides Washington and Lincoln, is Webster,
but he holds Webster opinions subject to some
notifications. A tariff for revenue, and no
higher than the necessities of the Government
require, is Mr.. Burleigh's ideal, and while he
would lay the duties on Injuries and also upon
competing products of foreign manufacturers,
he believes the most important characteristic of
the tariff should be its stability. A fixed policy
is essential to the safe condHct of business and
the prosperity of the country. He believes the
financial condition of the country is now
healthy, that mercantile credits are not unduly
extended, and that a growing confidence will
gradually restore specie payments without leg
isation. The civil service, he thinks, should
be managed on business principles and taken
out of politics. And finally, he is sure that 50;
long as there is a prospect that the rebels Of
1861 may return to power, the Republican party
will remain intact and inyincible.
This is the man whom the Republicans of
this district have nominated for Congress-a
clear headed, industrious, successful man of
sonable man, somewhat under six feet in height,
with round deep chest, square head, set on
broad shoulders, iron grey beard, thick white
hair, dark eyes with a remarkably pleasant x
preston, clear complexion and every indica-
ton of Astounding health and energy In his
native town and within the sphere of his influ-
encc he Is recognized rs natural leader not
only in business affairs but in educational and
church matters, and in all the concerns of social
life. His word is as good as q bond, and if he
has any enemies L have been unable to find
them. That he 10 not better known to voters
in the district at large is owing to the fact that
his life has been mainly devoted to the duties
nearest at hand, and that his participation in
public affairs heretofore has been only casual
interruption of his business pursuits. ...