Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-15
CAPITAL CHAT.
Political Interest More Active
in Washington.
Republican Leaders Preparing for tho
Great Campaign.
A DirgIcy Sto-y.-Senator Halo Busy
with the Big Bills.

Washington, ID. c.. April 1i.-(Spec-
iaD.-The tide of political interest is
rising daily at the Capital. Perhaps 1t
is the spring time, when everything
quickens, that inspires the interest Of
the politicians, soon to go back to their
constituents. But in the course of Il
few weeks now the interest in things
political will spread from the pOliti-
clans to the people who will begin to
take notice of the struggle for election
If a President.
Mr.. Roosevelt is taking pains to have
the ideas for which his administration
stands properly disseminated. Almost
every Senator and Congressman who
goes out of Washington these days into
my state where the fight is at all close,
goes with knowledge of what the
President would like to have said. If
the Senator or member has not talked
with the President in person he has
talked with some one else who has
Mr. Roosevelt has no fear about stand
ing i'll his own record and he wants tho
facts presented 10 the voters in just
the correct light, nothing more.
During the next six months Wash
ington will throb with politics. 1t IS
essentially political city. A large
proportion of the inhabitants are vital
~ concerned in the issue of the cam
HaiSn Congress may so away but the
city will still be intent upon politics,
Watching the progress of the great
game in every section of the country
md not willing to forget politics till
The vote is counted next November.
The members of the Maine delega-
ton stand high in councils regarding
the Presidential campaign, none OF
them more so than Senator Hale whom
the President has called in consultation
about policies ana plans more than
once in recent weeks. Mr.. Hale enjoys
the Presidents confidence in campaign
matters as We'll az to matters legisla
tive. Gov. Eurlei%h. the member of
the Republican Congressional commit
tee from Maine. is also kept informed
rs to what the Republican program
may be.
We lnesday evening the governor
was on" Of those invited by Represent
tativc Eabcock. chairman OF the Re
publican Congressional committee to n
banquet at the Raleigh hotel. to dis
:uss plans fcr the Congressional cam
raign. Tho Republicans are on the
alert. not because of any alarm but be-
cause it is good politics to make prep
arations early and be in condition to
meet the Democrats as soon as the
Congressional campaign starts off. AT
this gathering Wednesday evening,
which included the best political organ
izers of the House.
An interesting anecdote OF the late
Representative Dingley, of Maine is
told here recently among members of
the Maine delegation. 1t came to no
tice through 4 statement by Represent
tatjvc Bartlett, of Georgia, Il Demo
rat, who was a warm adnirer OF Mr..
Dingloy. Towards the close of II"
first session of the Effty-ffth Congress,
when the Dinghy tariff hill WIS near
completion and The House was in IL
night session. Nj. Bartlett had been
consulting Il directory OF his college
fraternity. he bcinC a graduate OF the
University ot N:rg MIA at Charlottc3-
Vile. He found iii the same fraternity
directory the name Of Gov. DinSlcy and
trOSSinG the centre isle to where Mr.
DinSley WAS standing. called his at
tention to what had been disclosed by
the fraternity catalogue. Gov. Dingley
was very proud Of his fraternity and
the two stood in coriili conversation
Finally Gov. Dirg,cy said: bartlett,
| want you for one of the Democratic
members Of my Ways and Mems Com
mittee. I am going to ask Nj. Reed 10
put you on there
Mr.. Bartlett supposed that was only
Il compliment and thought nothing
more of it till a day or two late. Il page
him to Mr.. Reeds desk.
You are giving me a lot Of trouble.
Bartlett" was the Speakers salutatior.
1t is because you have too many Re-
publican friends" Then he told how
GOV. Dingley had asked him to put
bartlett upon the Ways and Means
Committee. Mr.. Reel could not do that.
he said. Whatever vacancies there
We're had been promised but the other
committees of the House had not been
made up as that was Il special session
IF Congress and the Speaker wanted
AIr. bartlett to take his pick OF four
other good committees The Georgian
had rot died and Mr.. Reed had not re-
signed ut the end Of that Congress lie
would sure enough have beer placed on
Ways and Means in the F'.tty-sixt!I
Congress but above I'll he has q warm
spot in his heart fo- Gov Dingiey's
memory ana likewise for Maine men.
Senator Hale stated today that it
would be well along towards The end Of
the present month ard probably the
first Of May before Congress can COM
plete its work ana adjourn. We are
we'll advanced with our work said he.
but there is much pressure TO get APP
on the Sundry Civil bill,
the last of the large appropriation bills,
and it will be no surprise if it takes
some DAYS to adjust these items be-
tween the Senate and the House" For
four or five days Mr.. Hale has been at
tending closely in the big committee on
at forenoon and after
noon sessions. aiding in getting that
bill shaped up for the Senate. He and
Mr.. Allison have devoted their atten-
ton entirely to that bill and to the ex-
clusion of everything else as it is BUSH