Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-12-21
CAPITAL CHAT.
Regret at Resignation Of Post
master Gen. Smith.
Sec. Long Sad to Be Anxious to Re-
turn to Private Life.
Bill Tor the &c ion OF Statue 10 the latl
James G. Blaine.

Washington, -. c., Dec. 20.-(SpeciaD
The resignation of Postmaster Cen
cral Charles Emory Smith will be
much regretted by many Maine people
whom he counted as staunch friends
! ne four representatives from the Pine
Tree state naturally had much busi-
ness with him year in and year out and
warm friendships grew up between
them and this popular cabinet officer
He is always affable and accommpd pdat-
ing ana always accessible.
Nr Smith will also be sadly missed
by the large newspaper contingent, al
though he hardly ever putdid Attor-
neY-Generai Knox or Secretary Of
Agriculture Wilson. or Secretary Of
the Navy Long. a Maine man by birth,
m his courtesy TO the journalistic pro-
lession. \ newspaper man himself
Mr.. Smith always had a correct ap-
probation Df what was transpirinE
that was news ana he was always glad
To give il when such could be done
without violating the proprieties Of his
Office. MIR. Smith finds that there is
more money in going back 10 his desk
in the Philadelphia Press than in keep
salary of $4,000 4 year But there is
another thing TO take into account
the cost Of living in Washington and
maintaining ones self as a cabinet
officer is much in excess of what it
costs To live as editor-in-chief Of 4
great newspaper in the City Of Broth
,rlS Love.
Maine has sent out few more in
dustriouS or more unpretentiouS sons
than the present secretary of the
navy. Public life and public hOnors
have not spoiled him. He 1ramps in
and out Of the navy department and
Ike wise in and out OF the White House.
touching elbows with casual visitors
and clerks who earn. perhaps. paltry
$500 year. When he attends cabinet
meetings, twice each week. he general
" walks TO and fro, instead Of clatter-
ing up with dashing span TO the
portals Of the Presidents mansion and
latter dashing away in the same i'm
prcssive fashion.
The gOssipS here III Washington
often prophesy that Names native son
Will be ont- of the first to leave Presi-
dent Eoosevelt's cabinet and that is
years in Washington, in one capacity
or another. official life has no glamors
for him and he would much prefer to
be back in his Boston law Office and
1 BILE to pass the evenings and nights at
ms comfortable bingham home. Had
President Mckinley lived. Nh Long
would probably have resigned from the
naval portfolio before this. The wish
of President Roosevelt that Mr.. Long
should stay and assist him in getting a
steady start has prevented an earlier
resignation. Under existing circum-
stances r. may remain many months
yet. but those who are aware NJ his
longing to get back to private life Will
not he surprised TO hear at any time
that he has decided to take the step.
There has been a great exodus Of
senator's and members of the House in
the last day or two. since Congress ad-
journed for the holidays. Ex-Gov-
ernor Powers, who has enjoyed taking
up Congressional tasks again. even be
yond what he anticipated has gone
back to his New England home to
spend the holidays and probably will /.
not return till after New Years. Mr. I
diSp lcIA W dSllliStoli
and, after making speeches at Scran- 4
ton and Brooklyn, will return TO Rock I
land. Ex-Governor and Mrs. Burleigh |
expect TO remain here the entire time |
Till Congress convenes again. Senator |
and Mrs. Hale will also remain IN
w shington. as will Representative /
ALLEN. Senator Frye wants to spend |
the Christmas season with his children
ana grandchildren in Lewiston and eX-
oedts to be there until he has TO return
% ghe Senate.
The opinion sometimes prevails thai
living comes high in Washington, as it
does, but Mr.. r. l.. Page, the
proprietor of the Senate and House res
whose native place is Phillips
Ne. and who keeps an interesting es-
abishmont tor sportsmen at MoOselook-
neguntic in the Rangeley lakes. has an
nteres ting story to tell on the other side
# the question. Mr.. Page says the aver
gc amount paid for lunch in the Senate
estaur&nt is Is cents. In Washington
should be remembered. nearly every
'ody eats lunch about ! o'clock or some
where Whereabouts, diner or the evening
neal. is eaten about o'clock or { o clock
Mr.. Pages Senate restaurant Is divided
lto two parts. One is a large room foe
cneral public. Another inner room is |
CONTINUED on page ~