Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-09
The Victory on the Apporticnmcnt Bill.


Maine. 1t voiced in a measure the feel
ing that State which had taken SO
honorable and so distinguished posi-
ton in the councils of the nation could
not justly he deprived of 25 per cent.
of it's representation in the National
House ard in the electoral college at
tbs, close Of decade, which, instead
of a loss, showed q substantial gain in
population ana in wealth. Strong as
this feeling was, however. it could not,
in itselr, have beaten the Hopkins bill.
The great fight that was pushed to
victory, yesterday, was waged from
the start under Maine leadership. III
it the members of our delegation stood
shoulder to shoulder undismayed by
The heavy odds confronting them. and
the result of their combined efforts was
ever dared 70 hope for, and one which
will be hailed with rejoicing by every
y
To detail the steps by which this hap
py result was achieved would far ex
&C ed TIE space available in this issue.
Pack of it all was a perfect organiza
ton that gradually but surely cement
ed all the elements of opposition to the
Hopkins bill, and made sure it's defeat
Every part of the work was carefully
mapped out. There was no working to
cross purposes. Each one of the sup
porters of the Burleigh bill had his def
mite work laid out, where he could do
il to the best advantage, and the re-
suit shows that it was done faithfully
and We'll.
The outlook at the start was certain
ly far from hopeful. a feeling pervad-
ed our State that a loss in representa-
ton was inevitable, and this was to
some extent reflected in the press.
When it became known, however, that
our delegation did not purpose to sub
nit to a reduction of representation
without desperate fight and that they
believed they had q chance to win. the
people and the papers of the State came
Loyalty to their support with a hearth
ness and a unanimity that did much to
sustain and encourage them.
In Washington, too, the outlook at the
start was far from hopeful The old
recognized leaders of the House, whose
views usually dominate it's judgments.
We're practically a unit in opposing any
further enlargement Of its membership.
The newspaper correspondents taking
their cue from them, We're nearly unani-
nous in predicting an easy victory for
the bill reported by the chairman of
the census committee. The situation
was further complicated by the fact
that members of that committee whose
interests We're most closely allied with
those Of Maine entered into an agree
mcnt among themselves to report d
compromise which took care of every
state represented on the committee
with the exception of Maine. Congress
man Burleigh in reality stood abso-
!utcly alone at one time, although sew
eral of the advocates of the comprom-
Use measure voted for his bill in the cX-
recitation of thereby securing his vote
for their own, and thus carrying the
committee. In this they We're mis-
taken. Mr.. BuTleigh defeated their bill!
by voting with the Hopkins men
against it, with the result that the bill
introduced by the chairman of the
committee was reported back to the
House, and the advocates of comprom-
Use were forced of necessity to come tC
the support of the Burleigh bill.
From this time on the issue was
sauarely joined. Mr.. Hopkins was san
guine of success; but unfortunately foi
his cause. he was stronger in the quail
ties of parliamentary leadership thar
in capacity for organization.
How much we owe to our able sena-
tors only these who are familiar with
the details eff the struggle will cvel
know. Maine is certainly fortunate il
having two men of their great strength
and influence to represent her in the
uppcr branch of Congress. Despite hi,
recent sad bereavement and the exact
ing duties of a presiding officer, Scna
tor FRYE has been able to accomplish
results that have contributed power
fully to the outcome of the struggle i,
the HOUSE, today.
Senator Hale has been simply indie
fatigable. His great influence in Con
gress. his clear headed grasp Of ever,
phase of the battle and his wonderful
powers of organization have been ex
erted to the utmost. He has devote,
himself to the contest with character
istic vigor and skill. Not only has A.
won over powerful support to the Bur
leigh bill. but the great strength of hi
leadership and his wonderful knov.1
edge of parliamentary tactics hay