The Republican journal., 1903-02-05
The Governors Reception.
A Brilliant Social Event at the State Capt.
tai. A Visit to Togus, and the Meetings
of the Maine Press Association.

tai. A Visit to Togus, and the Meetings
of the Maine Press Association.
Four Belfast members of the Maine Press
Association boarded the 1.20 p. m. train
Jan. 2Sth, en- route for the annual meeting
to be held in Augusta. The trip to Burn
ham was uneventful, except for the reluc-
Belfast sportsmen, equipped for shooting
and accompanied by dog. They may
have been asleep. AT any rate they were
reminded that "Jerry' never allows any
thing to benumb his faculties
The train from Burnham on was crowded,
but luckily seats were secured and before
long we were greeted by Messrs. F. G. Rich
of Bangor, and c. w. Robbins of the Old
Town Enterprise, who, with their wives,
were also bound for Augusta. The Augusta
House coach was in waiting at the station,
and we were driven up the almost perpen-
dcular hill to thai noted hOstelry, which is
headquarters for the legislators, their
gagged in advance and after removing the
travel stain the two young ladies went
down town on an exploring expedition, re-
turning in time for supper. After supper,
where we recognized several other M. p. A.
people, we walked up to the Capitol, where
business session of the Association was
held in the Senate Chamber. Greetings to
friends old and new enivened the routine
proceedings and there was an unusually
large attendance of ladies' many of whom
had attended the woman's Federation of
Clubs meetings during the day. After
adjournment three of the Belfast contingent
visited the Secretary of States office, where
they were cordially received by the Assist
ant Secretary, A |. Brown of Belfast, and
his son Arthur, who is acting as the cover
nor'S messenger Not sorry that the hour
suggested retiring we were glad to mount
the stairs to our rooms on our return to the
hotel.
After breakfast the next morning, by in
vitation of Mrs. Geo. d. Loring of Portland,
one of the press la dies whom it is always
pleasure to meet, two of us sought the
"Winthrop," hotel in miniature under
whose home-like roof it had been the pleas
ure ofMr. andMrs. Loring and two friends to
find quarters. All attempts to make friends
with the office cat were fruitless, and the
party of eight started out in search of car
for Togus. While waiting in the Post Office
our force was augmented by the arrival of
three other ladies, one of them an NJ. p. A.
We were fortunate enough to have car
almost to ourselves, and the genial con-
ductor added much to the pleasure of the
trip by calling our attention to points of
interest, including the residence of Hon. j.
H. Manley and the massive buildings of
the Insane Hospital.
We alghted from the car at a pretty
little waiting station, and following the
conductors advice sought the Ladies' Wait
ing Room by a circuitous route along miles
Of plank walk and glass-enclosed corridors.
The officer of the day appeared from head
quarters and courteously expressed his
willingness to show us over the place We
were first led into the immense dining room.
seating 1,G90 at table. AS there are more
than 1000 in the Home at present it is
necessary to have two sittings. The kitchens
were next inspected, and the entire party
signifed their willingness to dine off the
floor. Such shining wood and met al
is seldom found even in model New England
The potatoes, peeled, halved and
soaking in an immense tank preparatory to
being cooked for dinner were a revelation.
l should say that three barrels would be
conservative estimate of the quantity. The
l-ot o.
ranged round the walls were large enough
to hold man or tWO and the four "nickel-
plated double-barrelled arrangements for
making tea and coffee were regarded with
wonder. Everywhere men were at work
about the household duties, and our guide
were the trained nurses in the hospital
The library and reading room, in separate
building, were next visited. Here were we'll
filled bookcases, and files of papers from all
over the country were accessible. Nearly
every chair at the comfortable tables was
occupied, plainly demonstrating that the
veterans enjoy their privileges. After
registering in the visitors book we were led
across to the theatre, and were almost en-
viouS at the sight when an obliging soldier
near turned on the electric lights
and displayed very pretty little theatre,
arranged and lighted. From an
inner room issued the martial strains of a
band which was practicng for its nightly
concert. Our guide seemed pleased at our
evident admiration, and was much amused
at our desire to stake it home with u.s.
The amusement or recreation building
was well worth the time spent there. Down
stairs two rooms are fitted with billiard
and pool tables respectively, while upstairs
is the hall of the Cutler Post, G. A. R.
There is recessed balcony overlooking the
pool tables where cards, checkers, ETC., are
enjoyed. The little chapel, seating about
500, was next shown us. Both Roman
Catholic and Protestant services are held
weekly, choir from Augusta and Gardiner
furnishing the music. An Episcopal clergy
man is resident here. After accompanying
us to the door of the hospital, where some
of the iaales nad friend in DR.. Ridley, our
guide bade us goodbye. Most of the party
visited some of the twenty-seven wards,
guided by DR.. Ridley, who, with DR.. Ell
well, the son of a prominent Maine jour
nalist, and brother of the late Frank A. El-
1uo1l who conductad the Maine Central