The Republican journal., 1892-07-21
The Fly on Mr.. Milliken's Nose.

To THE EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL. We
are glad to learn that the Republicans of
the Third Maine District have again NOM
mated Mr.. Seth l.. Milliken to be his own
successor in Congress. This is good news
to every son and daughter of Maine at
home or abroad; especially so is it to
natives of this district who now reside
elsewhere. The Republican Clubs here
about have taken a deep interest in this
contest We have been able to note quite
definitely that hundreds of earnest Re
publicans in this city, and thousands in the
State, have been closely watching the re-
suit through the daily papers, and to
whom the victory of Milliken was the
occasion of much rejoicing. One of our
local speakers has truly said, ''The peo
pie of Maine seem to know when they
have good thing. and show their appre
citation of it by keeping their Congress
sional delegative intact. The friends
of Mr.. Milliken should feel well pleas
ed with the result of their work be
fore and during the Convention. where
Governor Burleigh was SO prominent
candidate. We knew one year ago
that the Governor was looking with rather
longing eyes toward MI. Milliken's seat
in Congress. At the State re- union of G.
A. X. Veterans the boys discussed among
themselves the cause of each. the boys
from the kennebec portion being quite
strong for Burleigh. while Knox, Lincoln,
Waldo and Hancock counties were as strong
for Milliken with the chances largely in
that the Governor and Staff with other
distinguished persons would be present
and address the old soldiers from the plat
form in the large tent at ten o'clock in
the forenoon of the day we refer to. The
carriages began to arrive somewhat earlier,
Mr.. Milliken being among the first to ar
rive, followed by the Governor and party.
Wherever ''Seth,' as the boys called him,
was the crowd would gather. and certain
~ it must have been very gratifying to
receive the genuine and heartfelt greetings
that were accorded MI Milliken on this
occasion. The Governor of course let no
opportunity slip to get in a peg here and
there as he mingled with the boys. but at
this business it was easy to see that Mr..
NJ. could distance the Governor.
We have said enough perhaps of this.
and will close by relating little incident
which happened at this time which was
quite amusing and we believe it has not
as yet appeared in print. 1t runs thus:
The Governor with all his staff. and
several Ex-Governors. Generals. and otl-
Ell prominent officials We're seated upon
the platform. Congressman Milliken sat
on the right Of the stage, the Gov
elnor being the central figure. The
chairman introduced the President of the
meeting, who in turn called upon the
chaplain to Offer prayer. As the good
man PRAYED for al the national officers
from President he came down to the Gov
ernor, and as he said, ooh. Lord, bless our
Governor a fly lit upon Mr.. Milliken
nose. which caused him to give vigorous
shake OF the head, apparently of dissent.
Only those sitting near enough to see the
cause understood why Mr.. Milliken OBJ
iected to the chaplain request. But the
chaplain went on. Aid him in all his I'M
dertakings." Another and more vigorous
shake of apparent dissent. >tW the .fy
stuck. ''Give him wisdom to plan for the
future" Still the fly remained hard and
fast to the nose. Finally. to get rid of the
COMPOUNDED pest, the dignfied Congress
man whipped out his handkerchief and
with as much moderation as was possible
to exercise under the circumstances brush
ed the offender from his nose This cpl
sode made quite a little fun among the
boys AT the time. and probably no one will
enjoy it now more than Mr.. Milliken.
Very Truly Yours,
L. B. &.