The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-21
4 FIsT DAY PROCLIMifiON.
II Was Signed by The Governor OF Maine
oman April III, but Nas Not l--ued.

II Was Signed by The Governor OF ""'"'
on April Ii, but Was Not I--ued.
Every time the Governor issues his an
nual Fast Day proclamation the old en-
ployees at the state House smile when
they meet and nudge one another as re-
hinder Of another proclamation for Fat
Day which was written number OF
wears ago and signed by the Governor.
but for good ana sufficient reasons was
never made public.
In Maine, as IN most other States the
formal matters Of making appointments.
writing proclamatlOns, and other acts OK
official drudgery, are left TO the private
secretary TO do while the Governor re-
ceiyes visitors and thinks up pretty
speeches to say on public occasions This
particular year the Governor had been
busy an through March keeping track oil
the LEGISLATURE and standing on men wHo
wanted appointments. so when April
came and the time for holding Fast Day
had nearly arrived the Governor woke
up TO the fact that he hadn't composed
any suitable proclamation for the occa-
sion. As usual in such emergencies, he
called for his private secretary. and when
he learned that that functionary had gone
away for "A week he called In the messen-
ger To the Governor and Council and told
him TO 90 ahead and get mp something
neat and fitting.
The messenger. though an Old hand az
his job. was unfamiliar with the arts OF
proclamation building. and, tracked his
brain for some time before he hit ulon
the right phrase for a starter. IL was
about the time that Massachusetts was
advocating the abolition OF Fast Day.
though several years before IL was aoo-
lished and the messenger. having read
considerable upon the subject, had be-
come tainted with the notion that fast
days in general and State fast days IN
particular were humbugs OF the worst
class As he looks back and remembers
the circumstances now this Is the only
theory by which he can account Tor MS
conduct, because, instead OF penning
stately and pious proclamation, he wrote
out the following:
Having consulted my Council and
learned that none Of them has an en-
gagement to dine on that day, and feeling
fully assured that | shall receive no invi-
tation TO dine out until the high school
graduating exercises begin and field
strawberries get down 10 cents quart.
do hereby appoint Thursday the l1th
day Of April. as day OF public humllia-
ton. fasting. and prayer. While the SCOT
fers I'm our sister State are holding horse
races. playing baseball, and gorging them
selves with forbidden food. let US thank
our stars that We know when we have
enough. and feel grateful for the empty
stomachs and clear heads We shall have
the morning after. Though | am unable
TO say what the Council VIII do on that
day. for myself shall attend church II
can find a minister who will stay long
enough 10 preach 10 me. Given in the
Council chamber" &c.
The messenger. having made rough
draft, copied II on a new sheet In an en-
crossing clerks handwriting. and took II
10 the Governor. who signed II without
reading line. From here the messenger
carried the proclamation down 10 the
Secretary OF State. who tried 10 af'lx his
signature. but could not do so on account
OF bad pen. While he waited for a
clerk to bring him box OF new pens he