The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-02-13
C-Partly Cloudy
THE WASHINGTON CENTENNIAL.
A communicated from the Maine
Commissioners.

AUGUSTA, Feb. Ex-Governor Burleigh
has received communication written by
Hon. James G, Blaine, and signed by Mr.
Blaine and the other Maine commissioners
of the centennial celebration of the Inaugural
ton of George Washington as first President
of the United States, to be held at New
York April 30, 1889. The commissioners
have in charge Names interests for proper
representation at the great national celebra-
tion. The communication Of Mr.. Blaine and
his associates is as follows:
E. c. Burteigh, Governor of Maine.
The undersigned appointed by the Cover
nor of Maine Commissioners to the centen-
nial celebration of the Inauguration Of George
Washington as the first President of the
United States Of America" to be holden at
New York city, April 30, 1889, beg leave to
call your attention to the participation in the
celebration we deem advisable on the part Of
our State, in addition to the attendance of
officers of the State government and commit
tees of the legislature, and to request you to
take such action with reference thereto as
you may consider fitting and necessary.
The committee having the arrangements
for the celebration In charge is composed of
large number OF the most influential citi-
Zens of New YoI and it is proposed by them
to honor this anniversary as one of the most
important and interesting events ip the
series that marked the birth of the republic,
in manner beftting its performance and
with full recognition Of the fact that the oc-
casion is national one. The plans they
have formed and the responses made to theii
requests for the co operation of the States
and Territories of the Union, indicate that
the celebration will be on a scale and of a
character commensurate with the grandeur
OF the associations and suggestions attend
ing the commemoTati0D of the simple cere-
monies that made Washington the civic head
OF the nation which his genius and patriot
Ism called into being. The COM
mlttee considers that one OF the most
appropriate features of the celebra-
tion, aud one that will make its national
character most distinctly apparent, will be
the military display; and in order to make 1t
impressive as such it Is strongly urged that
each State should be represented in the col
umn. We heartily concur in this desire OF
the committee and trust that such measures
may be taken as will secure as large as pos
sibe representation of the volunteer mill
tia OF our State. 1t Is understood that the
committee will furnish the troops with ra-
tlons and quarters while in New York, so
that the only provision necessary to be made
is for transportation We believe it to be
superliuOus to undertake to enlarge upon the
pr0prletyOf providing for the adequate par
tlcipatl0n OF the State of Maine in the cere-
monies Of this national anniversary; for to
do so would seem to call in question the re-
gard of our people for the name and love of
Washington, their love of country and pride
in its history and character.
Very respectfully your obedent servants
JAMES G. BLAINE,
PAYsoN TUCKER,
ARTEMUs LIBBEY,
WILLIAM l.. PUTNAM.
CHARLES +. LIBBY,
LEWIS BARKER,
SELDEN CoNNoR,
II Is probable that at an early day Gov.
ernor Burleigh will send an official message
TO the legislature recommending that suffi.
cient appropriation be made by the State fol
the transportation of our militia to New
York to participate in the celebration.