The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-03-06
Our Washington Letter
Gov. Dole of Hawaii-Prlnee Henry of
Prussla-Chief Justice Fuller-E ID.
Routes, etc.
Special to the RRpoRTra.

House this week between President
Roosevelt and Territorial Senator
d George r. Carter, of Honolulu, the
outcome of which will have some inter
est for Somerset people. MI farter
has come here as the adviser of the
chief magistrate about Hawaiian mat
n ters and especially as to the advisable
ity Of asking the removal of COY. san
d ford b. Dole. few of the oldest
inhabitants of Somerset may remem.
Der the Doles. Gov. Dole's parents
reside4 in Skowhegan many, many
stfarE 8go, long before the evil war,
and left there with devoted missionary
band for the then cannibal islands of
the Mid Pacific When Gov. Dole
came to Washington three or four
years ago it was his hope to visit the
parental home in Somerset but he was
deferred by business that called him
away from Washington sooner than
he expected.
The controversy which has given
rise TO the present status in the islands,
Is of long standing and, when the
truth is sifted, there is little if any
thing discreditable to Gov. Dole him.
self or to his administration. The dark
skinned Kanakas hate him and all the
missionary party, and their leaders,
some of whom are men of influence
and large property, have long been
plotting his downfall. The desire of
President Roosevelt is to placate all
factions in the islands as much as
possible. Since Gov. Dole is the en-
bodiment of the Missionary party and
has stood radically for their conten.
tions, there has been belief in admin
istration circles that the selection of
some man for the governorship, who
stood on more impartial ground, might
create more kindly feeling among
all political classes. Financially Gov,
Dole will be affected but little, which
ever way the matter is settled He is
nov quite an old man, and is in poor
health, but he has comfortable com,
petence on which to live during his re.
naming days, albeit he is not rich
man. His eminent services to the
islands, through the stormy days of
their transition period from monarchy
to free government, are universally
recognized.
People of the Capitol city have had
their fill of royalty in the last week
pleasing impression. In all his public
appearances he has been democratic
but dignified and has taken kindly to
touching elbows with the American
people. But while our people have
mingled with him on most friendly
terms, the Germans in the Imperial
Embassy here, where he made his
headquarters when in Washington,
hoped about like crickets and bent
pliantly as soon as he set foot across
their threshold. The imperious and
naughty attaches, who lord it over
Washington when opportunity Offers
we're as plant as flunkeys to their
Prince when the doors of the embassy
closed upon him. That, of course, is
what they are accustomed to. But
withal Prince Henry conducted HIM
self in such gentlemanly fashion here
that the high officials of Washington
as we'll as the people at large will have
a very kindly memory of him for years.
Not few Maine people here had OPP.
portunity to meet His Royal Highness
in a social way. Senator Hale and
Senator Frye both met him at an off
cal dinner at the White House and
both Maine senators had quite a con
versation with him. The Prince had
an interesting conversation with Senator
Hale about naval matters, as the Sen
ator is chairman of the Senate COM
mittee that deals with that topic. The
Prince himself being sailor, an admir-
al in the German Navy, was naturally
much concerned to learn all he could
about our way of building great navy,
The Bowdoin dinner passed off with
great eclat here Monday evening with
Chief Justice Fuller, a native of Angus
ia, Me, sitting at the head of the table
and cracking jokes with gray haired
graduates about the festive board. A
little man in stature, the Chief Justice
is nevertheless of imposing appearance.
A luxuriant head of snow white hair.
which he allows to grow quite long,
and a flowing white mustache make
him conspicuous in any company. The
Bowdoin alumni in Washington always
have their fun with the chief justice
at these annual banquets. Some two
years ago they threatened to deprive
him of his honor, long enjoyed, of
being President of their association
and sitting at the head of the table.
This was because he followed the time
honored presidents of chief justices
to make no public utterances, when off
the bench, except on very important
occasions. Representative F C..
Stevens, of ST. Paul, whose boyhood
home was down in Rockland, made a
speech at one of those meetings, declar
ing that the younger alumni wanted a
speech from their presiding officer,
just as other alumni associations in
Washington were accustomed to have.
He couched his request in respectful
language and the Chief Justice con-
fessed his delinquency, promising to
do better
The Postofice Department now has
under Amusement the establishment
of two or three more rural free delivery
routes in Somerset. some citizens of
Palmyra have requested route but as
there is opposition TO it from some
quarters the outcome is not certain
Gov. Burleigh proceeds very carefully
in such cases, seeking to ascertain the
wishes of the majority OF proposed
patrons and not TO iujure any material
interests. The reports from Palmyra,
and from Skowbepan for the additional