Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-16
CAPITAL CHAT.
Senator HaIe's Great Grasp on
All Public Matters.
Remarkable Collection Of Commits
sions Of Major Gen. Haywood.
Gov. Burleieh's Busy Daily Routine
Notes About Capital.

Washington, Jan. Is. - (SpeciaD. -
When the big naval appropriation bills
come over to the North end of the cap
itol, this year, Senator Hale will have
something to say in his committee
about the plans for continuing the re-
building of the Naval Academy at An
napolis. He has followed this great
project, which is to cost over $6,00000c
very closely and has kept an eye on
the plans and the progress of the work.
1t was Senator Hale who, some years
ago. secured a change in the plans
so that the splendid new buildings
should be erected from granite instead
of brick. Later Maine firms were able
to place contracts for very large sums
to furnish this granite, which will make
the buildings not only more durable
but more beautiful architecturally.
1t was in large part to look over the
buildings, several of which are now we'll
under way and toward completion, that
Senator Hale made a trip to Annapolis
few days ago. Secretary Moody, who
is fully aware of Mr.. Hales informa-
ton and good business sense in con-
nection with such large undertakings,
invited the senator to accompany him
on trip down there and so it hap>
pened that the two We're together when
the runaway accident occurred several
days ago. There are in reality very
few men, prominent in public life here,
whose good judgment about matters of
administration is sought more than
that of the senior Maine senator. Presi-
dent Roosevelt has the fullest conf
dence in Mr. Hale and so it is that
Mr.. Hale is not infrequently called up
to the White House that the President
may have his advice about matters of
current legislation.
For a man. modest in his daily walk
and not at all demonstrative, notwith-
standing the fact that he knows how
to speak with force when the right
time comes, it is quite surprising the
knowledge Senator Hale has of what
is going on in political circles, whether
it be at the Capitol or about the de-
partments. He keeps firm grasp on
the legislative situation, is informed III
detail. which things contribute much
to his eminence in the Senate as one
of the two or three leading men there,
recognized as such by those who are
acquainted with Washington affairs.
Ex-Gov. Sidney Perham of Maine,
who passes his winters in Washington,
continues hale and hearty, notwith-
standing his advanced years, for he is
now past 80. The Governor takes a
lively interest in political affairs and
he goes about much to places where
public men congregate. If anything he
has grown a little older in appearance
during the past year, but he is almost
as vigorous physically as ever. He had
not been out much around Washing
ton till the recent cold snap came, when
the streets were icy and the weather
sufficiently severe to keep most people
indoors. Then the aged Ex-Governor
was in his element and he has been
outside great deal during the last
week. He knows about all the Maine
people in Washington, of whom there
are large number, and in all he takes
kindly almost a fatherly interest.
He has been for many years a very
constant attendant on the meetings of
the Sons and Daughters of Maine, so
that it has come to seem as though
something were lacking if the Gov
ernor is not present at those gath
erings.
n lew udyS ago MAJ. zen. Charles
Haywood, once of Waterville and for
some IL years commandant of the Ma
rine Corps, received his commission of
that rank. duly signed by the Presi-
dent. after the nomination had been
confirmed by the Senate. He now has
unique collection of commissions,
running from second lieutenant to
major general through every grade, as
he has been promoted from grade to
grade during the 46 years of his re-
markable service. No commission as
major general was ever before issued
to an officer of the Marine. Corps and
it ceases after his retirement, as his
successor. who will take up the work
next October, will have the rank of a
brigadier general. His first commits
sion was signed by President James
Buchanan his appointment having been
secured by his mother. the late Madame
Haywood. who resided many years in
Waterville.
AS Gen. and Mrs. Haywood have no
children he proposes to give up his sew
(Contipnp1 nv, na pa