Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-03-22
CAPITAL CHAT.
Senator Fairbanks Undecided
as to Vice Presidency.
Much Interest Manifested in HaIe's
Speech on Naval Appropriations.
Maine Members Pleased at Recent Or.
der Of Pension Commissioner Ware.

Washington, D. c., March 21-
(SpeciaD .-There has been a great de-
man1 from many parts OF the country
for copies of Senator Ha1e's recent
speech on the Naval Appropriation bill.
1t WAS a very comprehensive and in
strnc.ive statement about the growth
of the new navy, with warnings against
urwarrantcd expenditures and with
patriotic utterances about maintaining
our prestige as q nation. AS Mr.. Hale
has for years been Il close student OF
the navies OF the world and is very
critical observer, whose Judgment is
highly regarded in the Senate, his re-
marks have attracted wide attention
and constitute the abiest and most
satisfactory speech about what the
present navy is that has been delivered
in Congress for many years.
The requests for copies Of the speech
became Sc numerous that Mr.. Hale has
had COPIES printed in pamphlet form
But even with tn ,se pamphlets he has
hardly been able to comply with all the
requests for copies. The speech makes
30 printed pages of the ordinary book
size and includes several interesting
nations.
EE-Gov. Powers has recently pre-
pared q report on !, gas franchise for
Honolulu. which is the result of q Ions
consideration Of Il bill pending before
the House Committee on territories of
which he is a member. The Hawaiian
franchise bills have been very trouble-
some because Of several questions in
volved. 1t is said that the government
has never before undertaken such
legislation in exactly this way, for its
territorial possessions. There mas been
considerable opposition in the House
to such legislation, unless it he very
carefully safeguarded. Mr.. ID. l..
Wilmington. OF Honolulu, is on here in
the interest Of the bill. He recently
made a visit to New England and to
Maine. rs his wife. a Miss Paul before
her marriage, was Il native of York
County. Me.
Senator Fairbanks has interjected
considerable uncertainty into presiden-
tial politics by indicating lately that he
docs not want delegates instructed for
him for the vice presidency and that he
docs not want the nomination. His a.
| 'llJIp T1S ptPl Al " an ms
Washington friends. One day he feels
strongly inclined to come out and be ii
candidate to go on the ticket with Mr.
Roosevelt. That word goes forth. The
newspapers in Indiana spread the story
of the situation and forthwith Mr.. Fair
banks beholds the Indiana politicians III
a scramble to secure advantage in II
race to get his seat. He could hold his
place in the Senate right through the
campaign UP to March next. but his
nomination as vice president would be
a signal for several. IndianaHS to be-
gin Il fight to be elected to the Senate.
With indications of the scramble. Mr..
Fairbanks has begun to hesitate. He
is as much avcrse as any man in public
life to taking a decisive stand about
any matter. Therefore just now he
has withdrawn from his former posi-
ton. He has given the Indiana men,
hers of Congress to understand that he
does not want the convention delegates
from their districts instructed to vote
for his nomination. Thus the situation
Continued on page 50