The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-07-30
Preparing to Greet Mr.. Blaine.
GENERAL WASHINGTON NEWS.
Chief Justice Fuller at Liberty to
Qualify When He Chooses.

WASHINGTON, July 29.-When asked the
other day as to his plans in regard to qualify
ing for his duties, the new Chief Justice, Mr..
Fuller, said he had not yet made up his mind.
There appears to be no rule or precedent for
Chief Justice to follow in this case. Chief
Justice Taney was confirmed in March, 1886,
while the court was in recess. About two
weeks after receiving his commission, be
went to Baltimore and took the oath before
Judge Glenn, of the United States District
Court. He appeared before the Supreme
Court at the ensuing term, which began on
the 1st of August and took his seat. Chief
Justice Chase was confirmed in December,
1864, and while the court was in session he
took the oath in open court Chief Justice
Waite was confirmed in January, 1874, and
before his commission was issued the court
took its February recess. He appeared be-
fore the court at the ensuing March term, and
qualified before the open court. Here Chief
Justice Fuller can consult his own convent
ence. There is nc. particular rule or prece-
dent. He can qualify now or defer it, just as
he pleases. Meantime, his salary goes on, as
it began at the date of his commission.
In Behalf of Washington Territory.
The House spent Saturday in considera-
tion of the bill providing for the erection of
post Office buildings and the general deficien-
cy bill
Mr.. Voorhees, of Washington Territory, in
behalf of 100000 disfranchised citizens of
the Republic, advocated the admission of
Washington Territory into the Union.
Mr.. Symes of Colorado heartily agreed
with the gentleman from Washington Terri
tory in urging the admission of that terrific
flo Tr,in ff,ria oil
was unit for a free people after they had
reached that state of progress which entitled
them to admission into the Union. A terri
torial government was territorial vassalage.
The Republican members of the committee
on territories had always favored the admis-
sion of South Dakota, Washington and Mon
tana. but the committee had reported an om-
nibus bill, which could not be taken up this
session, and which included in its provisions
New Mexico, which had not asked for ad-
mission.
If the gentleman from Washington Terri
torv could influence eight or ten Democrats,
he could get bill through tomorrow for the
admission of that atterritory.
Money for Kennebec Arsenal.
Senator Allison reported. and the Senate
passed. the House joint resolution continu-
of the govei nment.
The sundry civil appropriation bill was
then taken up, and the following amend
ments, among others, agreed to- Inserting
items of $1,000 for repairs to walks and
grounds and $4,000 for introducing city water
to Kennebec arsenel, Maine; inserting an
item of $1,000 for improving the sanitary
condition Of the Watertown arsensal, Mas
sachusetts. The entire day was devoted to
the consideration Of the bill.
A Portrait with a History.
The interesting history of celebrated oil
portrait of Abraham Lincoln, now hanging
in the room of the naval committee, was yes
terday recalled by the introduction by Sena-
tor Voorhees, of a bill to purchase the picture
for a sum not to exceed $4,000. The artist,
G. w. T. Travis, of Frankfort-on-the-Ma Main,
was the son of a portrait painter of local re-
nown in Germany, who had been soldier
under Blucher in the Waterloo campaign
Young Travis received military education,
and also inherited his fathers genius for
| portrait painting. In the fall of 1864 he
landed in New York city, and offered his
services to the government. He was enrolled
| and sent to Governors Island. but upon a
medical examination he was rejected ON ac.
| count of pulmonary affection. Greatly dis.
appointed, he came to Washington, and here
conceived the idea of painting the portrait Of
President Lincoln. Those to whom he spoke
on the subject however, considered him q
| sort of a mild crank, and gave him no en-
| cOuragement. One day he saw Mr. Lincoln
ON the street, and, approaching, introduced
himself He made strong appeal to the Pres
| ident in support of his request for sitting
| He told him that he bad tried to fight for the
preservation of the nation, but had been de
| MED that privilege. He wanted to make 4
mark of some sort in the period of the great
crisis, and beliey, he could paint picture
| of Mr.. Lincoln which would forever identi.
fly the artist with the issue OF the day. Mr.
Lincoln.was much touched by the mans ear
nestness, and made an appointment for a
sitting. He sat for an hour, and told the ar
tist a number of his characteristic droll sto
| res. Several other sttings were given an(
the picture was finally finished in the artist
studio at Frankfort-on-the-M Main two month
after the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln
United States Consul Webster saw the pic
ture, was astonished at the accuracy of tn,
mained in the consulate until the spring Of
1876, when Mr.. Webster sent it with othel
paintings to the Centennial Exposition
where Il attracted much attention. Their
Mrs. Lincoln saw it for the first time, an,
coming upon 1t suddenly, tainted and fell I,
the floor Upon the death of Mr.. Webster
the picture came into the possession of it
present owner, Mr.. Charles w. Hayes o
this city.
Maine Matters.
Pensions have been awarded the follow
ing Maine people:
ORIGINAL. INVALID.
Silas Perham, Pennington.
lido X. Elwell, navy, Rockland.