Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-04-13

and statutes were passed authorizing the
raising Of ten regiments. During the ~,
ting out OF these regiments the STAY
House at.Augusta presented more the a "
pearance Of a large government barrack;
Than il did a State capitol. Week In ana
week out during the pressure OF me pun
ic ousncs ay uE?n tine exeGI his dinner in
his private room at the State House, ana
was hardly relieved for an hour from
public care during his term Of office "
The wears 1861 and 1867 Hc worked ~ ana
often 20 hours a day, gave himself ~
recreation. and absolutely spent himself
in the public service. During his term OF
office Gov. Washburn saw fitted out FOR
the war u total Of 10000 Of the noted sJaI-
wart men OF Mulnc, j
Abner Coburn of Skovhcgan, succee1-
cd Israel Washburn. Jr., as s0yerno.,
and served but a single year. the re-"
words given to him by the writer IN the
New England Magazine. fail to do JUS
tice to his great literally, his sterling
common-SenSe. his supreme business aDfi-
ity. his unswerving integrity, ana MS
love and regard for the people of Maibt
This writer says: Fifty years Succcrs
in lumber and railroads had made him
wealthy, and at his death he left large
beaucsts to the Baptist church." And
that is all The writer should have
known that Abner Coburn was one of the
grandcst philanthropists which this
State, or New England has ever known.
He did make considerable requests "to
the Bapti-t chureh'-~but he also gave
$4,000 to the State insane hospital; 800,
600 to the University of Maine: s2o0,UU to
Colby University; 100000 to three mis-
sion societies.: $4,000 to Wayland Semi
nary, Washington, ID. C.; 100000 TO the
NWaterville Classical institute. and $500,
900 for Freedmen's schools, besides more
than another 100000 TO academies.
schools libraries and other public meas-
ures-not to mention his large private
requests and charities. These are noble
gifts. and deserve TO cause the memory
Of Abner Coburn to be held dear TO the
people Of this country for all time
Splendid buildings at TWO universities, =
state classical institute. PUBIC II
brary, a public hall and public PARK
pie Of Maine. Yet the writer we are crit
icising says that he left large requests
to the Baptist church" She should have
studied her subject better
During the year in which Abner Coburn
was governor, Maine sent 1000 able
bodied men TO the front-AroostOOk coun-
~ alone becoming well nigh depopulated
through this drain upon her men for the
army. Gov. Coburn took great interest
in our Maine soldiers, visited them in
camp and hospital several times during
his term, and was generous in his person
al assistance and gifts 10 them and their
families,
Samuel Cony Of Augusta, was governor
during the years 1915 which witnessed
the close of the war and the mastering
out Of the Maine troops. He was grad
lawyer, had been State treasurer, mayor
Of Augusta. and had served in the state
Legislature. The "brunt of the battle
did not fall upon him. II had done up
on his predecessors, but his work III
closing up the service OF tho regiments
demanded much official care in addition
TO the usual duties OF the executive, ami
Were performed TO the commentator OF
the people.
No mention Of the war governors Of
Maine seems at all complete without a
reference TO that magnificent war gov
ernor which Maine gave to Massachu-
setts John Albion Andrew of Windham.
lie was elected governor of Massachu-
sets in 1860. by the largest popular vote
that had been cast IN that state for any
public candidate since the adoption Of
the constitution in 1850. ana was COVER
nor during the entire duration of the war
his term closing Jan. 3. 1866. During his
term as governor, Massachusetts gave TO
the national service leo 600 men and
raised 100000 for war purposes, not to
mention what was done by towns. cities
and individuals. lie was one Of the no
blest men which our State ever gavc--Of
the many distinguished ones she has Civ
en-to the Mother commonwealth. His
statue by Thomas Ball occupies con
spiCuous position in DOric hall OF the
state house on Beacon Hill.