Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-24
CAPITAL CHAT.
More Clerks Secured for the
WatervilIe Postoffce.
Maine Men are Leaders IN Washing
- ton G. A. R. Affairs.
Gcnnc Of the Successes Won BY Con-
gresham Roberts.

iaD.-Ihe cOnSeSted condition OF
nan matter at Waterville, Me-, on ac-
count of an insufficient force, has
been brought to the attention of the
postofice officials here in Washington.
Gov. Burleigh took the question up
with the department yesterday and
was informed that nothing could be
done until after July l. The appro-
priationj available for increase in cleri-
cal force for postofTiees has been en-
itirely used, so the officials said and
no more money would be available till
after July /, next when the next post
office appropriation law will go into eff
feet.
| Not content with this answer Gov.
Burleigh pressed the matter vigorously
and emphatically. He described some
/ thing of the condition that the Water
vile postOffice is now in, and told the
first assistant postmaster general
! that something must be done by hook
/ or by crook. The upshot of it was
| that Mr.. Johnson agreed to write to
Postmaster Dunn, authorizing him to
employ two additional clerks. With
this force the department believes that
1.-THE mail at the Waterville office can
be cared for for the present.
Gen. c. o. Howard, U. S. A, retired,
whose native town was Leeds, and
who was long time commander of
the Kennebec arsenal, is spending
some time here this winter. Notwith-
iStanding his advanced age the general
is in splendid health and physical
trim and a notable figure wherever he
goes. He attended the recent banquet
here of the Department of the Poto
mac, G. A. r., and proved quite hero
among the gray haired veterans who
crowded around to shake his hand
When President Roosevelt entered the
hall late in the evening. he passed by
the seat occupied by Gen. Howard
He halted to greet the one-armed
Maine veteran and to exchange few
cordial words with him.
The banquet in question, which was
one of the most notable in the history
Of the Department of the Potomac,
probably the most notable in the per-
|sonnell of distinguished guests. was
very much of Maine affair. Gen. Ell
Terrence, recently returned from Au-
gusta, was there. The department
commander, Mr.. l. w. Stone, who had
the honor of escorting the President
his side. was born in Aroostook county
but served through the war in an I'LL
nois regiment. The toastmaster of
the evening was Past Department
Commander Thomas S. Hopkins, a ma
tive of Kennebec county. The ances-
trail home of his family is near Kent's
Hill, and he goes there almost every
lsummer to spend part of his vaca-
Ition. Mr.. Hopkins proved a very apt
toast master and introduced the
speakers very happily.
But more than that there were
prominent Maine people sprinkled all
through the audience. Among the
guests at the head table, besides Gen.
Howard, who makes his home now at
Burlington, VT, were Admiral Brad
ford, whose boyhood home was in Tur-
ner, Me-, and who presides over the
bureau of equipment and repair of the
Navy Department, and Representative
Littlefield, of the Second Maine Dis
|trict There were some distinguished
Maine people also at the other tables,
among them former justice of the
District of Columbia Supreme Court.
Charles G. Cole, who was born in Hi
ram, Me-, and who went out as an Of
ficer in one of the Maine volunteer reg
iments. Sitting at the head table also
was another Maine born man, Judge
Ivory G. Kimball, who presides in one
branch of the police court of the Dis
trict of Columbia and who is now
junior vice commander of the Depart
ment of the Potomac. There is little
doubt that in the course of two or
three years he will be promoted to the
position of commander of the depart
ment. Judge Kimball was born at Jay,
Me-, but went west to Indiana with his
parents early in life and was first APP
pointed to Office in Washington from
that state by his close personal friend.
the late President Harrison. Maine
born veterans have always been promi-
nent in the affairs of the Department
of the Potomac, one of it's first COM
manders having been Representative
d. S. Alexander, now of Buffalo, who
likewise was present at last evenings
banquet. He is a Richmond, Maine,
man and a graduate of Bowdoin.
Representative Ernest w. Roberts,
of Massachusetts, a son of the Kenne-
bee valley, as his home was in East
Madison some years ago, has just re-
turned from very enjoyable trip
with a congressional party to New Or
leans. They went down there to in
spect the great floating dock at AL
giers. just across the Mississippi from
the Crescent City and incidentally at
tended the Mardi Gras festivities. The
courtesies shown them were very gen.
erous and hospitable and the best the
city could afford was theirs. Mr..
Roberts made decided hit as a post
prandial orator and told some good
stories that set the banqueters wild
with applause. There are many New
England men. especially Maine nSn.
in New Orleans and they like their
own kind. But INF. Roberts took with
the Southern born and they We'd with
each other in showing him honor,
crowned him duke Of the Mardi
Gras, invited him to all the notable af-
fairs, and insisted on speeches from
him on all occasions
Mr. Roberts has just had completed at
the Capitol a fine new committee room.
which is finished with all the conven-
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