Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-14

people, eager for a breath of cool air
The bicycle riders are always out in
force at such times. There is probably
no other city in the world where this
form of recreation has a stronger hold
upon the population. young and old
male and female, or where all the con-
ditions are so favorable to it's enjoy
ment. The many miles of asphal;
pavement. as smooth as house floor
the absence of troublesome grades, and
gestion of traffic that obtains in most
large cities, afford favorable conditions
for mheelmen that are to be found, in .
similar degree, in no other large city
of the country. The ladies here vie
with the men in their devotion to this
form of recreation, and the bicycle
built for two" is familiar sight on the
streets of this city.
The ladies of Washington, who enjoy
bicycle riding. have learned how II
evolve costumes for this sport that are
not only admirable for the purpose but
are. at the same time, neat and
feminine. The "bloomer brigade has
not yet invaded the capital.
The pressure for political preferment
here is something enormous. 1t is said
that there is scarcely u consulShip in
the gift of the government so small
that there are not at least so appli-
cants for it. The departments, too. are
besieged with sgNaIqns of applicants
nearly all of whom are doomed to dis
appointment. The life of the depart
ment clerk is far from being an easy
H., I,t Il
being made by others for his place.
nor are many of them, with the eX-
penses of living here, able to lay ul
much from their salaries against Il
rainy day. Any man who is making :,
fair livelihood in the walks of private
life would be foolish indeed to ex-
change it for a government clerkship.
Quite an interesting contest over the
location of a mail route has been Waged
for some months past in Lexington
plantation in Somerset county. 1t APP
pears from the evidence submitted that
there are two county roads running
through this plantation One-the old
original roads, known as the West
read, or, as some call it the center road.
The other is known as the East read.
For upwards of 70 years the Lexington
postOtice was located ON the old West
road Four years ago, under the Cleve-
land administration, the route was
changed and the postoiice located on
the East road. The West road people
have made a determined effort to have
the old route restored, and have been
vigorously opposed by the people re-
siding on the East road. The West
road Republicans presented Alvin AL
bee. Who held the office under Harrison,
as their candidate for postmaster while
the Republicans Of the East road en-
dorsed the candidacy of O. w. Chase
When Congressman Burleig'h called al
the pUstufliCe department to examine
the papers in the case, he found there
MIR. Milliken's written endorsement of
Mr.. Albee, and his recommendation
that the mail route be changed back n
the West road.
After going carefully over all the
papers in the case, Mr.. Burleigh saw no
reason to change this decision ana
added his concurrence to il. 1t is prob
able that Mr., Albee's appointment as
postmaster and the change of route
will be made in a few days.
There has been some talk of estab-
fishing another postofiice on the East
read. but in view of the small volume
of business in the plantation it is not
probable that the department would
entertain such a proposition.