Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-05-19
CAPITAL CHAT.
Two Additional Naval Cadets
Are Due Maine.
r-~-I
Another Maine Man, ex-Gov. Black OF
NY. Mentioned for Vice-President'
p,omotjon al Redl ce1 Salary-Shriners
Coming, Next Week.
~ Is D

;ees 70 give to Maine members TWO
,a;,;onol apnointments in the Naval
Academy. 1t has been practically
agreed by both Houses, although the
word is not final yet, that the appoint
ments for naval cadet may be made
every four years, instead OF every SIN
wears. as hitherto. Whether the
course shall be four years, or SIX
wears, has not yet been determined
hut at any rate the appointments can
no made every four years. There are
two naval cadets from Maine VINO
have graduated from the academy anu
who are now on their two years
course at sea. They were members OF
tho last years class at Annapolis. one
Of these is Walter NJ. Hunt of Bangor
who was appointed by Representative
Routelle: and the other is Alexander
y II Yates. from one of the other
congressional districts of the State.
An appointment will accordingly be
made some time during the summer
for each of these vacancies.
The position of naval cadet is gener-
ally much sought after, as we'll as
the position of cadet at west Point
They receive five hundred dollars a
wear while at the academy ana II they
succeed in passing the severe eXalnlna-
lions and in maintaining the proper
standard, they are eventually COM
missioned ensigns and are then IN the
line of promotion through various
grades up to admiral.
The necessity of changing the law
about the appointments has come
about through the necessity OF more
officers in the navy. With the build
ing of numerous ships, there has been
an additional demand for officers and
at present there is some four or nVe
hundred more officers needed than can
he supplied. There are several proml-
nent Maine men in the service at the
present time, the highest in rank being
Admiral Royal b. Bradford, who is
chief of the bureau of equipment and
repairs. He came from Turner. Maine,
and receives a salary of five thousand
five hundred dollars a year. When he
is retired, which will be within six or
eight years, he will receive three
fourths of that pay. 1t is not always.
however that the young men who
start on naval career, can hope to
retire as an admiral, because in the
course of promotion, 1t often happens
that there are no naval vacancies TO
fill to push all the officers up to that
rank ultimately.
Some very persistent work is being
done here to boom Ex-Governor Frank
Black of New York, who was born in
York county, Maine, for the vicepresi-
dency It. is not, of course, certain
that this will have any material re
suits, but with the present uncertain
status of the e-presidential horo-
scope, no one can tell what may
happen Governor Black is remem-
bered very pleasantly as member of
the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-iifth Con-
crosses. He resigned from the Fifty
fifth Congress to become governor Of
the Empire state. He and Mr.. Reed
have been longtime friends. 1t is in
teresting that in this connection ex-
Governor Long of Massachusetts,
now secretary of the navy, but a
native of Buckfield, Maine, is well in
the presidential running. and that
there is every prospect that he may be
able to land the prize.
The nomination, this week, of Mr..
Ernest A. Wakefield of the third con-
gressional district of Maine, to be con-
sui at Orllia, Ontario. Canada, con-
tains an interesting story. Mr.. Wake
field first came to Washington way
pack at the beginning of McKinlcy'S
administration, when Mr.. Milliken was
member from the third district. and
being in i'll health, tried to secure a
consular appointment. Eventually the
delegation from Maine was able to
secure an appointment as commercial
agent at Orillia Ontario. for him. He
was able to receive for this work
something like two thousand dollars a
year, OF which a large part was in the
shape Of fees However. he desired
10 be made consul. and Senator Frye
proposed an amendment to the diplo-
matte and consular bill providing that
consul should be stationed there at a
salary OF two thousand dollars per
dhfum, which is about the same as his
present position. In conference how
ever TINS amount was cut down to
hiteen hundred dollars, and now Mr.
Wakeneld has nominated by the PreSi-
ueht TO be consul, and will receive five
INJURED dollars less than he has been
isCeiNlng hitherto. 1t is thought prob
aoie' however, that next year Senator
Frye Will be able to have the salary
restored to the former figure. Mr..
T. Dill of Phillips. Maine. who
mas peen commercial agent at Port
nope. Ontario, has likewise been
tha 10 the rank of consul, but is said
w w, ne Is not SO hard hit as Mr..
Wakefield
,,,,,or Moses of Portland. accom-
p'''eo by Mrs. Moses, has been in Wash
sson THIS week. He made call on the
,,.,,, members of the Maine delegation
".re and had very pleasant trip.
tanning soon to ask Congress for
more help at the Portland custom house
u'e Oh the increased volume of work.
On account of the vast amount
in bond. ''S' '"elr naiiuS
ths interest interest in the coming session of
ers imperial Council of the Mystic shrin.
tiers bero ch mas been noted in these let
inrtone heretofore, continues here in Wash
dav fnr Jew plans are being laid every
who viii me entertainment of the visitors
comn, VII come from all sections Of tha
will hes,, Maine included. Shrine week
Is in ,s hi next Monday and the nroqrarr
EN- =, ne me hands of the printer ~ 10 go
Weet .ig Some of the features OK tbe
ing Of NJ" sa. De fireworks by Pain. consist.
msn ~. SCI pieces, among which viii - .
t4moth profile Portrait ~ Trr VII p 81 "
fttate Award, which viii nton5 i'i ec.r