The Republican journal., 1900-08-30

BTRLEIGH.
cent issue of the Somerset Reporter OF
Skowhegan:
Two incidents, not of great Importance,
but somewhat outside the usual in politics,
have occurred in the city of Gardiner, thus
early in the campaign.
These incidents were the raising of a
banner bearing the names of Republican
nominees thereon. with the exception of
ing the name of the Democratic nominee land
the wide circulation of a set of resolutions
signed by five gentlemen, purporting to be
a committee of Calvin Boston Command of
Union Veterans Union of that city, con-
demning the action OF Congressman Burleigh
in the recommendation of a certain gentle
man for postmaster in that city, few
months ago.
Both of these acts were done to discredit
Congressman Burleigh in the coming elec-
September election. Of course, these peo-
pie are not insane enough to suppose for an
instant that they can defeat Mr.. Burlegh
for Congress, but they have an idea that
they can punish him by causing him to run
behind his ticket, something he has never
done. Now in Gardiner, where the facts
are known, there is little danger; but the
| circular alluded toabove has been distribut-
ed in every part of the Third District, and,
of course, Republicans in the district out
side of Gardiner and the immediate vicin-
| ity, 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 ami
mus that has inspired this attack upon
Governor Burleigh 1t is a long story, too
long for our use in detail, and we merely
give a few salient points bearing upon the
situation
Mr.. Gay, young man, started in early
for the Gardiner post office, and secured a
large number of petitioners. as amy man can
who is first in the field. Later, Mr.. Stone,
a veteran solder, brother-in-law of the
| Democratic postmaster then i'll office, circu-
| lated petitions through his friends, and sue
ceeded IN getting many names and in cutting
into Mr.. Gays lists, greatly. Objections
were warmly urged against each OF the cam
| didates by friends of the other, not an I'M
usual occurance in such cases, and there
| were developments of which Mr.. Burleigh
| concluded he was obliged to take cognizance.
At this iuncture a third candidate was
brought forward having strong political and
| business support, Il man whose ability and
| fitness for the place was unqueStioned. In
due time he was appointed and makes a
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 a
Democrat, and it is fair to presume the at
tack upon Governor Burlegh is directed by
Democrats for Democratic advantage. This
is generally understood by Republicans in
kennebec. One observing young kennebeC
Democrat stated in the presence of the writer
that he believed Democrats had more to dc
with this attack upon Congressman Burlelgf
than Republicans.
One allegation made against Congressman
R11rlaiph W IN
condemnatory resolutions is that he has
been unj uSt to veterans in his recommenda
tions for appointments, and utterly disre
garded the claims of soldiers. This is not
the fact He has made many recommends
tionS of veterans for appointments to fed
eral offices and has worked hard for pen
sioners and very successfully. He has the
names of about 1900 applicants for pensions
veterans and their widows, with complete
system of record of these cases, such az
few congressman keep, and has urged favor
able action upon the pension office when
ever possible. He has broken the record OF
Maine Congressman in securing the passage
of special pension bills, and has been con
Spicuous for his persistent, untirlng Labor
for veteran constituents at the pension
office.
The circular purporting to have beer
written by Gardiner veterans, diScredits
itself in a striking manner. SkoWhegan /:
mentioned as one of three places where {
, soldier was turned down in the appoint
!, ment of a postmaster Gen. Isaac Dyer, the
) recently appointed postmaster of Skowhe
+ gan, was one of Maine'S most efficient ant
= valiant regimental commanders. He ha
= the impression that he is a veteran, hi
, tOwnSpeOple have that impression, and thu
: members of the Grand Army in Maine hat
. that impression when they elected him as {
!, department commander, some 10 years ago
i The first name appearing on this printed
/ circular as one OF the committee is that 0
. J. w. 2. johnson, a soldier in Gen Dyer
. own regiment, the 18th Maine. The PLACING
I of SkOWhegan among list OF towns who's
postmaster is not veteran is false upon tn
face of it and shows the extremity to Whlcl
+ the enemies of Mr.. Burleigh were willing
to go, to help their lame cause. 1t is yer.
f evident that Mr.. johnson, If he signed tn
n paper, did not even know the name of tn
: postmaster at SkO~hegan, otherwise n
q would have recognized his old commando
q q and would not have signed the foolish state
+ ment he did. 1t is fair to presume he wa
= as ignorant of the other statements in tn
q circular as he was of that one. 1t is fair t.
= presume, also, that the chairman of tn
+ committee knew as much about this
r other members of the committee, two o
q whom, we are informed, state they slgne
the paper under miSapprehension of tn
. facts and have expressed their regret fo
Z SO doing.
' The recent appointment of postmaster i
' the town of Madison is also mentioned as
: ''nOtable example, of utter disregard of tn
! claims of soldiers who fought in the wa
! ! for the Union. The facts are that non
= of the three applicants for the Madiso
" " office was a soldier in the war of 1861
None of them was old enough to serve i
l. that war and one of them was unborn at it
:, close Thus both of the Somerset cases Q
!, = alleged outrage treated in this document
u exhibit dense ignorance or utter disregar
: of fact
= LITCHFIELD PLAINS,
+ The following letter has been sent t
e Congressman Burleigh:
q Litchfield Plains, Maine, July 81, 100.
q Hon Z C. Rnrlainh.