The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1885-01-14
"REMINISCENCES.
Peculiarities Of the late
Ex-G0v. COburn.
Interesting Sketch Of a RemdrN-
able Man.


his life and characteristics the chief topic
Of conve rsatiop theapast week, wherever
he was known, and by people OF all cali
ipgs, BY men who have lived In the iumoef
woods as well as of men who have known
him In state occupations which have mace
him known as capitalist. The anecdotes
which have been told to illustrate his char-
acter. methods and habits, would make
volume. BY no class Of men was he ap-
preciated more than the men In the lumoer
business, who had known him all their
lives. 1t Is rare that men have been able
to command the confidence, and regard OF
such sturdy men as the late William Park
er, Joseph Clark and the living heman
Whipple Of Scion. These named, are but
samples of the men of sterling worth, and
ability. who were connected with him
while they were yet young men or boys,
and have passed their lives either 10 his
employ or In close business connections;
their confidence and regard, increasing
with years. He retained the same hold up
on the esteem of the business men with
whom he assoc lated for years the John b.
Browns, the George Patteps, Judge Rces,
who have passed away, and the Morrills,
the Aldens, the JacksonS, the Joses who
vet live. While he was living, they spoke
of hun In terms Of the highest regard, IS
man. and OF the highest appreciation of his
rare business sagacity. During the past
week the writer has recalled few OF the
| incidents which give an insight into some
phases of character, and his characteristics.
~ knew The Coburns,' said Boston
millionaire, "Dearly forty years ago, when
was selling goods to traders In the kenne'
bee valley. At that time there was very
little money In this country, scarcely dol
lar. but Coburn notes of all denominations,
were held by people of means. Indeed,
think they were used as currency. Every
body had confidence In them. 1t seemed
that everybody who had bay, grain, or ca
tie to sell, were sat SIZED to exchange them
for paper signed, A. 4 p. Coburn." 1t Is
said that when Abner Coburn was Cover
nor, he was so accustomed TO sign the firm
5su,s, that on more than one instance, he
affixed, "a. & p. Coburn," to State war
rants and 10 one instance toa bill which
the Legislature had e1acted. There was
time during the war, when the firm ma me
was in higher credit than that OF many
States.
Speaking of Governor Coourn's financial
standing courage and the confidence which
those who knew him best had In him.
Soon after the consolidation of the rail-
roads now making up the Maine Central,
the hard times came on The business fell
off and the company had floating debt
W hich those who held it were very clsmor:
GUS to have paid. Things were daily get.
ting into q worse condition 1t was agreed
to have the President and one or two di
recto,s go to Skj~h hogan to see Cove =
vho of In m
ing from severe illness. The President
laid the case before him aud ended with
the somewhat startling statement that
there was no way out of the embarrass-
meut, but for him to endorse the companys
notes for S200, 900 at once and tor $5OO,OO0
more during the next 60 days, if necessary.
| 1.-THE Governors face WAS as impressive as
MARBLE" said some of those present, aud
he said not u word, and asked not ques
ton, until the speaker had flushed. Thep
he simply asked them to make the Dotes
for $500, 900 which he signed. l have for.
gotten whether the other notes were called
for, but the confidence which be inspired
ouieted the anxiety OF many creditors.
One savings bank held $50 600 Of the paper
Of the corporation. The manager was e.
vous. He wanted his money, II the com.
pany was 10 q hard place, but he wanted
these corporations 10 keep It II 1t wa
sound. solve me Governor Coburn's en-
dorsement and you can have the money
and more as long as yeu WISH" 1t was
given and the savings bank man WAS hap
by. The Maine Central has outrode that
that storm, and is now q strong corpol.
a,ion; but its best friends will say to-day
that Abner Coburn was their sheet anchor.
ave spend the money, said Judge Rice,
when President, "Governor Coburn pays
It."
Years age, the writer heard MI B'aine
tell In his inimitable manner several Anec-
dotes of Governor Coburn, but one OF
which now recall. During the time that
the Morrill, tariff was being revised aud
the continuance of the reciprocity treaty
with Canada was an issue, Governor c..
burn and Friend John d. Lang, then Mr.
Blsine's constituents went before the Ways
and Means Committee OF the National
House of which the renowned Thadens
Stevens was chairman. Mr.. Stevens was
very fav0rably impressed with the practi
cal suggestions of the two kenneOec busi-
ness men aud expressed bis admiration to
Mr.. Blaine, who was then young men-
Dor. "There are many like able men In my
district" said Mr.. Blaine. Stevens looked
at him and remarked: "Wby the devil
don't they send one of them to CongressT
Mr. Blaines attachment to Governor Co.
burn for years has been Of the strongest
nature. "Abner Coburn Is pure gold," he
once exclaime !.
Governor Coburn's methods when Gov
ernor did not always please the politicians.
He always believed that the right thing 10
do was the best .hing-the only thing. he
Judged men for the States service just as
he did for the lumber wO0ds-fOr what
they were worth. One of Names best reg
AL ntvh
ized by reason OF the distortions Of two or
three officers, some of whom had to be pro-
NOTED IL custom was observed. He lis
teued to the complaints Of all the wrang-
lers but said nothing. In few days two
officers OF lower rank was announced as
the officers for the places over which there
were quarrels. II know these men and
know that they will fill the BILL" MAS his
reply to the indignant protests. And he
was right; the wrangllng ceased and the
regiment became one Of the most famous
from the State. This is simply an illustra-
ton OF his methods. The public welfare
before individuals was his rule.
The writer was present with two or three
Others during the depression Of 1919. 90
ole occasion, where the Governor gave his
Views on the sources Of National prosperi-
ty. "The Nation whose individuals spend
the most money, that 10 their own, will be
the most prosp, rOus, because liberal ex-
oenditure means large col sumption AMI
lsrre consumptious mean general industri-
al activity. Individuals may amass more
wealth for a season by boarding, but 1t
must room come to pass that the general
boarding Of every cent will leave nothing
In circulation from which to hoard. II the
people who are able would begin to buy as
literally now as they do when times are
flush, there would be Y partial business re-
vival at once" That bit Of practical sense
has more in 1t than all Of Stuart Mills
works on political economy. On the cur
rency, the tariff and business questions
generally, his views were sound and many