The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-01-04
tsyEcIAL TO THE PRRss.l

Augusta, January s-Au day long men
Of prominence from all parts OF Maine
have talked about the session OF the leg
islature which begins here tomorrow and
more particularly about the men who are
20 have nominations. committee places
and offices. The Augusta house office
and the State House corridors buzzed
with talk hour after hour. Among the
orators and listeners beside the mem bers
of this Legislature were many who had
served In past years. Among the topics
one heard them discussing was the Sena-
torial question. 1t does not appear at all
probable thas there VIII be any opposi-
tion to Senator Hale in the caucus, but
there Is an undercurrent of talk about
what opposition might have done had
ther. been leader for it to rally around.
There were all sorts of stories ahoat
One man got it that Mr.. LittletIeld had
announced his candidacy. When asked
about this. Mr.. Littledeld promptly
denied it. He said emphatically that he
had done nothing of the sort, adding
that he did not believe any of his friends
wanted him to make such y contest. He
said he did not look for any contest in
the caucus.
Then in the talk, 1t was learned that
Hon. George NJ. Seideis OF Portlsnd will
be chosen a member of the state commit
tee tomorrow to succeed the lats Hon. r.
Dudley Freeman. This Is in accordance
with the usual custom. Mr.. Seiders hav-
ing received the endorsen ont of the
county committee. Chairman Manley
said tonight that the committee would
meet at four O'Clock tomorrow afternoon.
Mr.. Manlsy said that the ction OF the
county committee had been certified to
him and that thore would be no contest
Another matter of Portland interest is
tho councillor contest between Charles ).
Cook, Esq and William j. knowlton,
ESQ.,, of Portland. 1t was learned this
afternoon that Mr.. Cook was likely to
have the support of at least 10 of the
Republican members of the county dele
cation.
The most outspoken man in the throng
was Representative Thurston ;. Burns
Of WestbrooK. This Is MIR. Burns's third
term. lie Is the man who took a leading
part In the contest which resulted In the
enactment of the Westbrook, Windham
and Harrison eleotic railroad charter.
Mr. Burns wanted to go on the railroad
committee and he expected barring that
| 70 be chairman of the tinarcs committee.
DE now expects neither place and as to
the railroad committee MIR. Stetson who
as speaker will appoint 1t says thSt Cum
| berland county has endorsed SO many
| candidates that he proposes TO leave the
| county out of the list. 1t is said in reply
that two members would not be too
many for the committee considering the
county's Importance as a railroad center.
| Ibis reason was given by one gentleman
tonight to explain the fact that letters
mad been written by Governor Cleaves
Ar. Fred E. Richards and others support
| ing both Mr. Burns and Mr.. Piummer.
Meanwhile MIR. Burns is outspoken and
Mr.. Plummer does not refuse TO be In.
| terviewed while MIR. Stetson will talk
oriefiy.
Mr.. Burns thus told his story for the
PRESS correspondent 81 applied to Mr..
Stetson for a place on the railroad com
nittes and he told me that l must have