Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-17
CAPITAL CHAT.
Gov. Powers Leaves for Home
After the Centennial.
Ex-Gov. BurIeigh's Great Fight to
Save Names Representation.
Has Strong Backing and Is Hopeful Of Winning
in the House.

Washington. D. c., Dec. 16.-(Spec-
iaD.-The visitors to the centennial are
slowly disengaging themselves from
the winter charms of the National
Capital and among the last to appear
was Governor Powers Of Maine. The
governor had a good time in Washing
ton. and il was with regret that he
shook the dust of the city off his feet.
Saturday. and turned his face north
ward. His present position as Chief
Magistrate of Maine would entitle him
to the privilege Of the floor Of Senate
and House and the fact that he IL
IN ex-menlber entities him also to the
privilege Of the floor OF the House on
Friday. the Governor made a trip to
the Capitol with his party. and for
while he tarried about the scenes that
were familiar to him nearly two de-
cades ago
During the centennial exercises on
Wednesday Of last week, Gov. Powers
hal AS his escort Gen. Ellis Spear Of
this city. who comes from Rockland.
Nc. and who used to be commissioner
Of patents. The speaking in the hall
Of representatives for three solid hours
was a little more than the Governor
could stand even if it was in the au-
gust presence Of high diplomats. cabi-
net officers. the President and other
distinguished notabIes. Accordingly he
suited his own convenience and IT an
opportunc moment. just as scores %
other distinguished visitors did. slipped
out Of the hall and back to his hotel.
The Governor was sp.endidIy entertain
"a BY Maine people IN Washington and
enjoyed every minute Of his visit.
Census apporticn1,ef.I continues to
be a burning theme with Maine people
in Congress, and all through the week
the Maine members and senators have
been organizing for the fight which II
now Well on. The first skirmish has
been won in defeating Chairman Hop
kins Of the census committee in his
project to call a conference of the
House Republicans in an effort to get
a verdict against increasing the size
Of the House-357 members. The CEN
sus committee majority Of it's
undoubtedly friendly to a bill that will
give Maine four members, as at pres
ent, and it is reasonably sure that such
bill will be reported from the COM
Illltt. 10 inc FibuSt-. LldL v Ia IL Il
distinct step toward victory.
Reviewing the strength that such
bill can command. it looks as though
there should be ma jority for il in
the House. And if the bill carries in
the House there is almost no prospect
that the Senate will disturb it.
The bill which the House census
committee will probably report will
probably be substantially the bill in
troduced, last week. by Representative
Rurleigh- Chairman Hopkins has in
troduced a bill Of his own which cuts
Maine of with only three members,
but his bill can never be favorably re-
ported from his own committee. He is
also a member OF the ways and means
committee. where since the death Of
the late Representative DingIey- there
IL a sort Of ring OF Republicans. who
want 20 run the House. They do not
always succeed but It is altogether
probable that Mr.. Hopkins Is relying
upon their support to help him out Of
his present dilemma. Personally Mr..
Hopkins is a very agreeable man. but
he has tried to run over the census
committee and that has assisted to-
wards his own uadolng III the matter
Of the census apportionment-
About year ago there was quar-
rel in the committee. as not infre-
quently happens in Congressional mat
teTs. and NJ. Hopkins was beaten af
TT a hard fight before the House. The
bad blood still remains ana A. least
one Republican nembe-, who cared
little about increased represent tlon in
the House. is in reality fighting
Shoulder 10 shoulder with the Maine
men because ne wants 20 rub t In
Oh Mr. Hopkins
Hon Joseph ManlAy of Augusta. has
been here a.. tn past ve-a. q g1ezt III
tf- sane hotel ~ Gov Powers and f1iz
party. Nr. NanIey has received many
expressions IF regret from public men
her VIE hoped that he wouII b. able
Continued on page 30