Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-14
CAPITAL CHAT.
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be impossible to seat 1856 men comfort
ably in the hall, an idea which GOV.
Burleigh secuted. His assertions at the
time have been proven this week by the
ease with which all the members are
accommodated. The seating capacity
of the halls is pretty we'll filled but
there is no crowding and there will be
room enough when Oklahoma, Indian
| Territory. New Mexico, and Arizona
come in as states for their members.
The larger representation is fully war
ranted by the increased growth of the
country, so that the benefits far out
reach the extra salaries and the extra
expenses to the federal treasury.
Gov. Burleigh has been frequently
congratulated this week on the nicely
with which his plan of apportionment
has worked out as a law. Few men,
bers of the House were welcomed back
here more cordially. 1t was several
days before he got through shaking
hands with old friends who met him
cordially wherever he appeared in the
aisles of the hall of representatives or
in the corridors of the Capitol. His
of men has given him dignified popu-
larity rarely enjoyed here and it ex-
tends in Gov Burleighs case to the
southern contingent. 1t accounts for
not little of his force in securing the
passage Of bills in which he becomes
seriously interested on behalf of his con-
stituents.
In the drawing Of seats this year the
governor simply changed places with
his long time friend, Representative
Burton, of Ohio, chairman of the COM
mittee on Rivers and Harbors and re-
garded in the House as one Of the fore
most Republicans at the Capitol. Mr..
Burton's name was called first and he
chose the seat which Gov. Burleigh has
had for two years. When Gov. Bur-
leigh's name came out of the ballot box
he was able to select the seat which Mr..
Burton has had for the last two years.
The two are very near each other and
in the rear of the hall, where one can
go out and come in without causing
much connection. Representa- tive
Littleiield drew a seat little farther
around in the hall. being the last of the
four Maine men to be called. Gov.
Powers and Mr.. Allen sit side by side
quite distance down in a row of seats
very nearthe front. Gov. Powers name
was the first of the Maine men called;
Mr. Allen, who is soon to move into a
new fiat in one of the big apartment
houses of Washington, was the second
of the Maine men to draw.
This city never saw more beautiful
weather than has prevailed this week
and the members of the Maine dele
cation have improved it by fastening
on their tasks of visiting many offices
and bureaus in the Departments, where
| constituents have business errandS.
Senator Hale and Gov. Burleigh have
been campaigning considerably together
in this work. They turn out early these
| fine mornings, because many of the
! Senator's errands are affecting people
| in the third Maine district. Then after
| the days work at the Departments is
| done-a days work that ends shortly
before noon when the session begins on
! the Hill--there are lots of letters to be
| written, apprising constituents con-
cerned what has really been accom-
plished. This, of course, takes more
time for the hour after Senate and
House have adjourned.
| Representative Littlefeld was one of
the last of the Maine delegation of six
to reach the Capitol having pulled in
here Sunday night from a long tour OF
| the West. He had delightful trip
| through Iowa and Ohio, delivering lee
lures in numerous cities. He came
back in excellent health and is much in
| terestnd in the proceedings of the extra
| session.