Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-02-25
CAPITAL CHAT.
Bowdoin Men in Washington
Will Meet, Feb. q.
Many Prominent Alumni Will As
sembIe at That Time.
Activity of Congressman Alexander OF
N. ", and Stevens Of MINI.


habit of going South, occasionally dur
ing the winter, who have ASSOCIATIONS
with the Hygeia Hotel at Fortress
Monroe, Va. A bill has just passed
the Senate and is being pressed by
the House TO allow the government to
nav the hotel company $l35,000 in part
compensation for the demolition OF the
property in accordance with the plans
of the secretary of war. The famous
hosiery, where hundreds of thousands
of tourists from the North have been
entertained looking out upon the his
toric waters of Hampton Roads, where
the battle between the Monitor and
the Merrimac was fought stands upon
a government reservation. 1t was
erected with the knowledge that the
government had the right to order it
torn down but the opinion prevailed
that the government would not want
the property for over half a century.
With the rapid development of our
coast defenses. it has become neces-
sary. sooner than was expected, to
have use of the site for certain big
coast guns and so the hotel must
come down. Gen. Royal II. Frank,
now on the retired list of the army,
born in Maine, and brother of Attorney
Frank of Portland, once Democratic
candidate for Governor, was for long
time in command of the garrison at
Fortress Monroe, before he became Il
general officer.
Washington has not had snappier
winter season for some years than is
now prevailing. 1t is like the interior
Of Maine IA oil
The granite coping of the Capitol
grounds and when the sleigh bells
Jingle along every thoroughfare. The
thermometer has been down near the
zero point and consequently there has
been much suffering among the poorer
classes. particularly among the
negroes, who are very numerous here
and not well fortified against a cold
spell. Big black men are out on the
streets with shorts sacks wrapped and
tied around their feet. They muffle
heir heads in old scarfs and other ma
terial till little can be seen of their
features. White men can stand 4 cold
climate far better than the negro.
Chief Justice Fuller will go out of
office with great record as having in
lucted notable men into office. 1t is
The chief justice before whom all the
abinet officers and Presidents pref
erably take the oath OF office. While
l minor judicial officer would do, all
want the chief justice and he is al
ways proud to officiate. This vener-
lble son of Bowdoin has sworn in three
Decentralization, Mckinley and
Cleveland. and q great number of cabi-
net officers. The last was Hon. George
B. Cortelyou, the new secretary of the
Department of Commerce. Chief
Justice Fuller was appointed by Mr..
Cleveland during his first administra-
ion and assumed office a little while
efore President Harrison was in
ugurated. He officiated at both the
nauguratons of President Mckinley
1ut Mr.. Roosevelt did not take the
oath of office in Buffalo before him.
Mr.. Cleveland. however, at his second
Inauguration, took the oath of office
efore this chief justice, whom, more
han four years earlier he had APP
pointed to the highest judicial place
ndcr the government.
The Bowdoin alumni in Washington
have completed arrangements to hold Il
banquet February q at the New Will
lard Hotel DIR. Woodbury. Pulsifer,
clerk of the Senate Committee on Conn
merce. and Wallace II. White, Jr, both
If Lewiston and graduates Of Bowdoin,
lave been active in getting up the dim
ner. There was some idea this year of
emitting the dinner but Representative
Alexander of Buffalo, a Bowdoin
graduate in class of 20, thought the
alumni ought to get together this year
as usual. Senator Frye and Chief
Justice Fuller are always present at
these dinners. Mr.. Alexander is the
alumnus who founded scholarship al
Bowdoin at the last commencement.
He is a very loyal son of the Bruins
wick institution. In the early spring
Representative and Mrs. Alexander
plan to make q visit to his former
home in Richmond, Ne.
Colonel Alexander has probably won
a standing in Buffalo where he can
come back to Congress as long as he |
wishes. He had tremendous odds To |
fight within his own party, for Erie |
county is torn with fractional political |
1uarrels, but at the last session of Con- |
gress, after very hard work, extending |
over the entire session, he secured ar |
appropriation of 100000 to pay those |
who had incurred loss in connection |
with the building of the Buffalo ex-
position. 1t was regarded as an inn |
possible thing to do and was secured in
the face of much hostile criticism. |
Buffalo people, however, were very !
grateful for the legislation and are not |
likely to forget Colonel Alexander |
right away.
Then he has shown the ability, which |
Maine men so often demonstrate, by |
signally serving his constituents in
other ways. He has secured for
Buffalo enormous appropriations for
other projects, including large sum
for breakwater.
Representative Stevens of ST. Paul,
Mimi. another Bowdoin graduate in
the House. came to the front this week
in fighting certain agreements on the
Army appropriation bill. Mr.. stevens
has rarely spoken in the House during
his six years service there, but when
he takes the floor he is strong de-
batter. He made particular objection
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