Daily Kennebec journal., 1901-12-17

assistant secretary OF state, is Il man OF
broad culture and charming personality.
The youngest son of the late Benjamin
Pierce, professor Of mathematics at Har-
ward, and for a number OF years con-
nected with the coast and Seodetic sur
vey, the new secretary grew up in an
intellectual atmosphere. and took nigh
rang in the class Of Il at Harvard, III
which he was subsequently graduated.
Shortly after receiving his degree, Mr..
Pierce went abroad for the purpose OF
studying geology in the Royal School of
Mines at London. and for number OF
years his whole time was devoted 10
scientific pursuits. He was &ppointed d
St. Petersburg in 1894. serving continu
ously. and frequently acting as charge
d'affaireS until ls9S.
Latterly Mr.. Pierce was employed as
counsel for the United States. and special
counsel for the claimants in the arbi-
tration of the claims for the seizure OF
United States vessels by the Russian
government in the North Pacific ocean
which post he reinqushed to accept his
present billet.
T. G.. Gerdine of the geological survey,
who, with a party of assistant seoloSists
and laborerS, trdversed the Seward pc
nnsuld, laS summer. brings back n re
port of especial interest to sportsmen.
This party came across thousands oil
ptarmigan, . game bird Of delicious fla
VOr, about as big rs Il prairie chicken
and wherever they camped the could
shoot as many as they cared to. Tho
only other game they saw in quantiJiec
that might tempt "A sportsman to pene-
trate this lonely country was wild rein
deer. which every now and then crossed
their path.
The Seward peninsula which this party
from the survey studied Is situated [,
the north of Nome and is 120 miles wide,
the length being somewhat greater. 1t
iSa dreary and melancholy stretch of
country without vegetation save the will
lows and the peculiar moss Indigenous tC
that region. That part of Alaska will he
according 10 scientists who have recently
investigated it. of little valIc except 10;
mining.
At tms day the only industry is the
raising of reindeer. which has proved sue
cessful, the herds increasing rapidly and
yielding handsome return for the mon
nE invested Mr. Gerdine reports that
Nome has settled down into an indus
trf"ns and prosperous little city.
Senator Bailey of Texas. has changed
his white tie for a black one and ii h,
continues advancing as he has done sine,
ne TOOK his seat in the Senate. hiS col.
leagues predict that ne will soon abandon
me black tie for a brilliant blue or gaudy
red one
This conversion of the Texas states
man from his allegiance to the white
string tie, 50 long the badge of the pro
NlnClal Democrat. will not meet with ap
probation IN the Lone Sta- State. ant
mas been already the occasion OF grumb
1lns on the part of one of his constit
uentS, VINO. leaning far over the Senat,
gallery raj the other day, gave utteranc.
10 her displeasure in the following words
Just look at Bailey. He's got on
biack tie. Pretty soon he will be goins
TO the White House to dinner in Il dres.
Slit, and instead of a Prince Albert h,
ME De wearing a funny little short Goa
nKe a college boy. | yould's be surprised
II you will believe me. 20 nave him ioiI
the fepuhhcan party. He might Just al
Ne!i be a Republican as to give u,l every
thinS that the Democratic party stand
for.
Gilbert \. Haugen of Iowa is one q
me few men in the lower house who con
ieSses himself perfectly satisfied with tn
committee to which he has been appoint
eu. banker by profession he has al
\ Ways had an interest in farming an,
me man with the hoe has no more arden
champion in Congress than the membe
from the WITH Iowa district.
A+hls main hobby is the taxing of oleo
~iSar'Ee, and something in that lin
tNiI De accomplished before the end q
ems session II Mr.. Haugen has any influ
rice' Last summer, the Special commit
~see oI which he was a member did no
,iiu III the = places they visited in Oh:
Naso single instance where the suh
lance sold to them for butter WAS obso
iuteig pure. and their experiences Will
SouragiRg. were oi'
,,ar, iiduSen is a Selfmadc man II
Sxna.' .eu OUT TO make his way in the worl,
ne m ne was only II years old. and befor
III. "as % mad accumulated n fortune
| businano' no' an orator. bni his knowledge a
A"u MS executive ability hay