The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-03-20
Our Washington LETTER.
Maine Visitors Chief Jns'ice Fnller.-Po-
lltical Activity. Maine Delegntion.-
Post Once Appropriation Bill
Special to the REPORTER

greater bumpers tndn DIT duy htdsDn OF
the year to get a glimpse Of legislation
and likewise to enjoy the balmy air of
this latitude. Many GO a little farther
South, to Fortress Monroe or even on to
Florida, which is almost two days trip
from here. Prominent among the recent
visitors has been Chief Justice v iswell
lie had many pleasant chats, during his
brief stay, with numerous prominent
Maine men, among them Chief Justice
Fuller of the United States supreme
court.
There will be keen interest in Maine
over the gossip about the prospective
retirement of hief Justice Fuller from
the bench, as his family and that of the
Westons, on his mothers side, have been
notable in the history of the Kennebec
valley for more than century 1t is
not likely that the Chief Justice will
retire for the present, although he is
eligible for retirement any time he
cheses and will have reached the con.
stitutional age limit of 10 years next
February. But physically the Chief
Justice is still in splendid trim. He
steps about the Capital briskly and looks
i'll perfect health. 1t has been the rule
that judges of the court retire reluctant
ly and prefer to perform their duties
long past the time when the constitution
allows them to yield to some other and
still draw full pay. AS Chief Justice
Mr.. Fuller has salary of S10,5 year,
or $500 more than the associate justices
receive, this is sufficient to live COM
fortably and maintain the position of
his high office in Washington. Mr.. Full.
Ter has a magnificent home in quiet
but popular residence section of the city,
only "a few steps away from the great
State, War and Navy Department build
ing
There Is great activity just now with
both political parties preparing for next
summers congressional campaign. The
Republicans in Senate and House met
last week to organize their committee,
choosing one member from each State.
Gov. Burleigh, representative from the
third district, was selected as the mem.
Der for Maine, by the unanimous votes
of the others of the delegation. Through
him the committee will distribute in
Maine great deal of reading matter for
the information of voters, before next
November. He will designate the char
acter of speeches and statements that
the Maine voters are likely to be most
interested in, covering undoubtedly
quite variety of topics. The commit
tee will soon have a force of clerks
at work sorting out the speeches
that throw the most light on the
political situation. Gov. Burleigh will
see to it that this literature is widely
disseminated over the the state, as soon
as the campaign is on. He is the only
Maine man of the entire membership of
this large and important committee.
One of the pleasant features of the
present delegation here is the unanmity
with which they work on all matters af-
fectiug the interests of the state. 1t is
not very many years ago that the situa-
ton was entirely different. Now when
any matter of importance comes up Gov.
Burleigh and Mr.. Littlefeld lock arms
and lead the way with Mr. Allen and
Gov. Powers, who have been in the
House for shorter period, tramping
right in behind. If it is something that
needs the aid of the Senators, Mr.. Hale
and Mr.. Frye, can always be counted on
to assist The same is true when the
Senators have anything on hand that
requires the cooperation of the House
members. 1t can be truly said that the
harmony of action in the Maine delega.
ton in Congress Is now perfect. There
are no petty Jealousies, no pulling apart,
no seeking for advantage at the expense
of some other members. And this has
its effect in securing things for the
state. The delegation is frequently
consulted by the administration, more
frequently than ever before for many
years, and generally the delegation gets
about what 1t wants They meet tc-
gether often in social way and also for
chatting over matters of their mutual
interest
Mr. Clarence Burleigh, editor of the
Kennebec journal, and his family have
been here for several days, the guests of
Gov. and Mrs, Burleigh at the Hotel
Richmond. The visitors have many
friends in Washington and they have
been the recipients of many kindly at
tentions.
The passage of the postoffice appro-
priation bill by the House last week,
carrying a large item for rural free de-
livery, argues well for many more routes
in Maine, within few months. and I'M
doubtedly more routes in Somerset
county. The additional amount of bust
ness the establishment of these routes
impose upon some members of Congress
is amazing. OF course some members
give mole attention to the routes than
others. The correspondence and other
business pertinent to the rural free de-
livery has quite doubled the work upon
Congressman Burleigh within the last
year or two. He makes a speciality of
looking closely after these modern mail
facilities for his district, believing that
it is, perhaps, more important than any
other branch of work that member
can do just at present Instead of al
lowing the petitions to lie idle at the
Postoffice Department or to be pigeon
holed, he follows them closely and sees
to it that the bureau officials give early
attention to every request of that char
acter. Therein lies the secret of the
numerous routes authorized throughout
Somerset and other counties of the third
district, His taetful manner of handling
such business with bureau officials, bur
dened with many similar requests from
other quarters, results in prompt and
favorable action, where scores of others
fail
The paper published nearest to Shiloh,
the Lisbon Enterprise, says editorially: