The Portland daily press., 1895-12-28
DlRlGO.

Names Fame Is at Its Zenith-Its Mott,
"Dirigo" is Fully Borne Out by the
Record of Her sons-It Is Distinctly .
Maine Year at the Capital.
The Washington Post contains the fol-
lowing EDITORIAL
"Dirigo," lead, is emblazoned nm
Names coat of arms. along with a nine
tree, an agricultural citizens, sailor
man, and rather discouraged LOOKING
horned animal, supposed to be a moose.
During the seventy-five years since Maine
became a state she has done her best To-
wards living up to- her proud motto She
had one war" all ON her own account.
known to careful students of history as
the "Madawosky war;" Brave Gov. Fair.
field raised an army and sent it into the
field to defend the northeastern boundary
against British aggression. The casual
ties were .nconsidera BILE, and we find nc
record of them in the pension rolls.
She lad off boldly in anti-saloon legis-
lation almost half century ago, and the
captain of that crusade still lives and re-
joices in his ACHE, ements. She sent
Holmes, Hamlin, Morrill,. Fessenden,
Blaine-and other distinguished men
who have passed away-to the United
States Senate Two of these were cabinet
officers, one was Vice President aud one
added to, his Senatorial honors the
speakership of the National House of Re-
representatives. and second term of service
in the cabinet.
With all this to her credit, Maine did
not quite justify the ''Dirigo" Although
generally prominent in national affairs.
she has never until now been the most
prominent of all the states in that arena
Sometimes Massachusetts,, at other times
New York, and, more recently, Ohio, has
held the championship. But the Pine
Tree State has at length distanoed all
competitors, and for the first time in her
history holds first place in the control of
the nations affairs. With a population
of only 664, COO and capital of $50, 438, 6eS,
Maine takes the lead of the richest and
most populous commemorative. And the
reason why she is distinguished is one
that the people of all the states might
proftably study. She sends her best men
to Congress and keeps them there. That
is a simple but wonderfully efficacious
recipe for attaining prominence.
Mr.. Reed, now Speaker for the second
time, chairman of the committee on rules
and prominent candidate for the Presi.
dency, has been eighteen years in the
House. Mr. Dingley, chairman of the
ways and means, and leader on the floor
has been a mem Der for fourteen years.
Mr.. Boutelle, chairman for the second
time of naval affairs, has been in Con
gross furteen years, and Mr.. Mllliken gets
thu Craftsmanship of public buildings
and grounds after twelve years of service
Never before in our national history die
a state so small in population hold such
prominence in the House.
Looking to the north end of the Capito
we find Mr.. Frye booked for president
pro tenn OF the Senate and chairman o.
the committee on commerce He il
serving his third term. Mr.. Hale, also OIL
his third term, will he chairman of ar
important committee and very promi
nent in two other committees.
Various congressman from other state
claim Maine as their native state. The
list includes Senator Perkins of Cali
fornia; Representatives Stephenson O.
Michigan; Fletcher of Minnesota; BlacI
of New York, ard Miller of Kansas, ant
Delegate Murphy of Arozona.
Names representation in the judicia
department of the general government
includes Chief Justice Fuller of the Su
preme court, who, although appointed
from Illinois was born and reared in Au.
gusta, and educated at Bowdoin. i
would be difficult to name Il long list oil
Names sons who are now serving tn,
republic in important positions; but WI
have given facts enough to prove that th'
ssDirigo" is all right. ''The course Of
empire may take its way westward eve
so rapidly, but the seat of power, JUS
now, is located "away down East"