Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-08-10
Gardiner Incidents.

Two incidents. not of great impor-
lance. but somewhat outside the usual
in politics. have occurred in the city
of Gardiner thus early in the cam
paign.
These incidents We're the raising of n
banner bearing the names of Repub-
lican nominees thereon, with the eX-
ception of that of representative in
Congress, that being the name of the
Democratic nominee: and the wide cir
culation of set of resolutions signed
by five gentlemen. purporting to be a
committee of Calvin Boston Command
of Union Veterans Union of that city
condemning the action of Congressman
BurleiGh in the recommendation of a
certain gentleman for postmaster in
that city. few months ago.
Both of these acts We're done to dis
credit Congressman Burleigh in the
coming election and draw away votes
from him in the September election.
Of course, these people are not insane
enough To suppose for an instant that
they can defeat Mr.. Burleigh for Cor
greSs but they have an idea that they
can punish him by causing him to run
behind his ticket, something he neve"
has done. Now in Gardiner. where the
facts are known, there is little dan
ger: but the circular alluded to above
has been distributed in every part Of
the 3rd District, and. of course, Re
publicans in the district outside of
Gardiner and the immediate vicinity,
are not familiar with the situation
there and do not know the inside facts
of the case.
We have taken some pains to get at
the true inwardness of the case and
the, animus that has inspired this at
tack upon Governor Burieigh. 1t IS u
long story. too long for our use in de-
tail and we shall merely give a few
salient points bearing upon the situa-
ton.
Mr.. Gay. 4 young man. started in
early for the Gardiner post Office, anu
securedYa large number of petitioners.
as any man can who is first in the field.
Later, Mr.. Stone, a veteran soldier.
brother-in-law of the Democratic post
master then in office, circulated petit
lions through his friends, and succeed
ed in getting many names apd in cut
ting into Mr.. Gays lists. greatly. OBJ
jections were warmly urged against
each Of the candidates by friends of
the other, not IAN unusual occurrence
in such cases. and there were develop
ments of which Mr.. .Burleigh concluded
he was obliged te take cognizance. At
this juncture a third candidate was
brought forward having strong politi-
cal and business support. a man whose
ability and fitness for the place was
unquestioned. In due time ne was APP
pointed and makes very acceptable
and efficient officer.
The. unique phase Of. the Gardiner
contest appears to have been that the
battle of one candidate was organized
and directed by Democrat. and it is
fair ito presume. the attack upon Gov
ernor .Burleigh is directed by Demo
Gratis for Democratic advantage. This
is generally Understood by Republic
cans in Kennebec. One observing
young Kenpebec Democrat stated IN
the presence of the writer that he be-
lieved Democrats had more to do with
this attack upon Congressman Bur
leigh than Republicans.
One allegation made against Con-
gresham BurleighAby the veterans
who signed the condemnatory resolu-
tons is~that he has been unjust to vet
Grams in his recommendation for APP
pointments, and utterly disregarded
the claims of soldiers This is not the
fact. He has made many. recommen-
dations of veterans for appointments
to federal offices and has worked hard
for pensioners and very successfully.
He has the names Of about 1900 apli-
pantc for nerSinpS ,sef and fbair
widows, with a complete system of rec
ord Of these cases. such as few con-
gressmen keep, and has urged favora
BILE action upon the pension office when
eyer possible He has broken the rec
ord of Maine congressman in securing
the passage OF special pension bills,
and has been conspicuous for his per-
sistent, untiring labor for veteran con-
stituents at the pension office.
The circular purporting to have been
written by Gardiner veterans. discred-
its itself in a striking manner. Show
hogan is mentioned as one of the three
places where soldier was turned down
in the appointment of a postmaster
Gen. Isaac Dyer. the recently appoint
ed postmaster OF Skowhegan, wassone
of Names most efficient and valiant
regimental commanders. He has the
impression that he is veteran, his
townspeople have that impression and
, the members of the Grand Army in
Maine had that impression when they
elected him as department commander.
some 10 years ago. The first name APP
pearing on this printed circular as one
of the committee is that of J. W. P
johnson, a soldier in Gen. Dy4e's own
, regiment, the 18th Maine. The placing
of Skowhegan among a list of towns
whose postmaster is not a veteran is
false upon the face of it and shows
the extremity to which the enemies of
Mr. Burleigh We're willing to go. to
help their lame cause. 1t is very evil
dent that Mr.. Johnson. if he signed
the paper did not even know the name
of the postmaster at Skowhegan, other
wise he would have recognized his old
commander and would not have signed
the foolish statement he did. 1t is fair
to presume he was as ignorant of the
other statements in the circular as he