The Somerset reporter., 1901-12-26
Washington Correspondence.
Somerset Men at the National Capitol.
Especial to the REPORTER.


tive circles there are two, who have
votes in the National House. One OF
these, Representative Powers, now OF
Houlton, claims Pittsfield, Me-, as his
birthplace There he was born in 1883.
The other is quite young enough TO be
Gov Powers son-Representative Ernest
w. Roberts of Chelsea, Mass, who was
born at East Madison, in 1858. But there
have been other prominent sons OF Sou.
erset here this winter, not the least OF
whom, by any means, is Mr.. Frank A
Munsey, now of New York, the pub
Usher of great magazine, which has
netted him millions He lately launched
into newspaper ventures here and IN
Gotham. Mr.. Munsey first saw the
light of day at Mercer, over IN the dl-
direction of the historic old Norrldge-
wock Hon Bartlett Trip OF Dakota,
once minister to Austria, when tleve-
land was President, commissioner OF the
United States to Samoa under President
Mckinley, and in the last two Presl-
dental campaigns a confirmed kepu0ll
can, also brother-in law of the late
Senator Davis of Minnesota, was born in
the same town of Pittsteld with ex-
Gov. Powers. He comes To Washington
frequently and was here some three
weeks ago There are a score of lesser
lights from old Somerset settled in the
capital of the Nation, employed In
the departments and in business and
professional occupations. No scion OF
that thrifty section of the kennebec val
ley need be lonesome here.
Since Stephen d. Lindsey came to
Congress from Norridgewock, years ago,
that town has not been without promi-
nence in Washington. Gen, Sawtelie, OIL
the regular army, now retired, has re-
sided here most of the time in recent
wears. The last part of his active mill
tary career was passed here as quarter
master general of the army, great
bureau in the war department. His
retirement from active service came
some two years ago. He leaves wash
ington during the heated term but re-
turns to spend the winters here. AL
though well advanced in years he is
straight and active physically, as cour-
teous and affable in his communications
as a Southern gentleman of the old
school.
One can not wonder that men like Gen.
Sawtelle. who have borne the burdens
of life. like to come back to Washington
to spend their winters in declining years.
The storms that have swept the length
and breadth of Somerset from Mount
Bigelow to Fairfield and the frigld
nights that have closed the Kennebec
from The Forks to SkOwhegan and on to
the sea are strangers to this climate.
DAYS of billiards. come but they are
fieetng and for the last two weeks much
of the time it has been comfortable TO
go upon the streets without ah overcoat.
Members of the Maine delegation, who
used to hasten north when congress
adjourned for the holiday recess, learn
to appreciate more and more the desi
ability of remaining here instead OF
undergoing the change of temperature,
which to say the least, is somewhat
dangerous to health. For three weeks,
including Christmas and New Years,
there will be great cessation OF activity
in public business but it will furnish the
Maine men, who chose to stay here,
good opportunity TO catch up with the
errands of their constituents. There IL
not a Senator or member from Maine
but who has large daily mail, bringing
many requests of greatly diversified
character. Not only must these be an
swered promptly but they often entail
trips to the widely scattered department
buildings, consuming much time. Con
gress always meets at noon and accord.
ingly when Congress is in session only
the forenoon is afforded for this kind of
work. To remain in Washington for the
holidays enables congressman to catch
up and make good the arrearages OF
work that may have accumulated during
the summer and fall but also to begin
the New Year with clear field before
them.
Occasionally a Yankee comes down
here to look after some invention and he
is pretty apt to meet with one of his own
kind, who is next to the head of the
patent office, assistant commissioner,
Edward b. Moore, whose boyhood home
was up at North Arson. Since he went
into that office some months ago, Mr..
Moore has proven very competent Of
fetal and it would not be surprising If,
some day, he stepped up one rung
higher and became Commissioner. A
very genial fellow is Mr.. Moore; of the
same character is brother, who resides
here and who remembers more of North
Arson and the people there than does
the assistant commissioners. They were
the sons of "Mobile' Moore, who lived
just south of the village and adjoining
the fertile valley of the Carrabasset but
who spent good portion of his maturer
life in Alabama.
Maine is rapidly coming to the front
again in the National House, in fact is
we'll in the front in spite of the passing
from public life of her famous four.
There are some members of the House
who are hardly more than know by
name to all their colleagues. Ask any
body here about Gov. Burleigh or Mr..
Littlefield and you hear golden opinions
about their efficiency as Legislators and
their personal qualities. They have
stamped their impress on the body of
the House, enjoy the friendship of tho
leaders and are quite frequently consult
ed They have excellent positions on
committees, which in some near con-
gress will bear fruition in good chair
manships. OF course chairmanships,
worth having, are the outcome of several
years of Industrious labor and likewise of
fitness to shape legislation. Reed, Ding
Boutelle and Milliken had to begin at
the foot of the ladder in Congress. Mr..
Allen and Gov. Powers are likewise we'll
known. In fact everybody in the House,
Republicans and Democrats, knew Mr..
Allen long before he was given COM
mission as congressman from Maine.
The old Republican leaders of the
House knew Ex-Gov Powers when he
was in Congress before they still remem-
Der him as competent man. That is
one reason why he has been started so
we'll at this session.
Gov Powera made his first call on