Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-03-03
Hard Work Connected With
Public Buildings Bill.
Activity Of Congressman Bur-
leigh on This Measure.
Senator HaIe's Bill on Hazing at Annapolis
maine Postal Matters.

Washington, d. c., March 2.-(Spe-
ciaD aD.-Representative BurIeigh is now
realizing What a popular position one
has who occupies leading place on
the public building committee. If he
isn't in the hall of the House, prompt
ly Oh the dot every morning, there are
dozen anxious members, wondering
where the Sd District representative
can bc. Perhaps he is out in the corri-
dor, talking with some constituent who
has sent for him. If he goes away for
little time during the afternoon or a
little earlier than usual. the same in
quires are heard. Where in the world
is Gov Burleigh.''
When he is in his seat for the days Sc
session. his visitors are numerous
Even Speaker Cannon, with
red carnation. strolls up that way
frequently of an afternoon. Bur
leigh he says. how air ye
getting along? Air they after
ye pretty hot: Don't let 'em run away
With the committee on that bill"
1t all pertains TO the public building
omnibus bill. of which Chairman Bart
holdt and Gov. Burleigh are the two
chief trainers. Every member in the
House. save q few from city districts,
is after something. And the way ev-
cry member IS playing politics and
pulling strings 10 bring the necessary
influence to bear is a caution. The sena-
tors are brought in. Every possible bit
of influence is thrown into the scales.
The Planning to shape such a propo-
sitiOn for a building or for site or
for both that the circumstances of each
locality can suggest is lively indeed
Such an array of statistics and state
ments. The committee table and the
desks of the leading members of the
committee are loaded down with them
These arc enough to write a local his
tory OF 400 important towns in the
United states.
But Chairman Bartholdt. Gov Bur-
leigh and the other members of the
public buildings committee are trying
to get good omnibus bill, which will
40 justice to the governments inter
eSt5 i'll the many localities and which
Will not deserve the usual criticism of
such bills. generally an Unjust criticism
that it is Il redistribution of pork" AS
q rule they find the members of the
House willing to corporate with them
to that end The hearings continue
but it is not likely that the bill can be
completed for couple of weeks yet.
Gov. Bureigh has filed with the
postoffco department a petition for
warded here by Mr. F. W. Rollins Of
Ellsworth. in behalf Of numerous citi-
zens. asking for the establishment Of
rural free delivery route out of Els
worth. running eastward mainly into
the town of Hancock. but including a
few homes in Ellsworth and Lamoinc.
People in West Hancock would well
come the new route but there is some
opposition TO it. according to Mr. s.
c. ThOrSen from residents of North
Hancock.
The postoflicc department has prom
iSeG GOV. Burlcigh that f. p. BoutcIle
of bangor, the rural delivery inspector.
stationed i'll Maine, will be sent over
into that region before long to look
around and recommend wha.
should be done. Gov. Burlcigh has
several crrands of this and a kindred
character for Mr.. Boutclle to do Be
cause Of GOV. Burleigh'S activity in
pressing requests for rural delivery in
various parts Of this district the Ge-
paTtment is referring many matters to
Mr. BCutelie for report and it takes a
little time to secure a replv from him
He has proven a very efficient inspec-
tor and. thereby. has been of great
service to Coy. Rurleigh in taking UP
the rural route matters With the de-
partment
- ~, TJn1n hoe
good task during the past week in hav-
ing passed a bill. likely to become
law. amending the present laws with
reference to hazing. The bill was
framed largely by him and on his ad-
vice. being calculated to prevent the
undue punishment of naval cadets for
innocent pranks but putting in the
power of the secretary of the navy to
dismiss cadets who persist in hazing
That gives the secretary of the navy
about the same authority over the ca
diets in such matters as the president of
a college has over students whose con-
duct is so reprehensible as to make
their retention in the institution unde-
sirable.
The present laws leave no discretion
to be exercised and if a boy however
promising his career and however triy-
ial his offence. is found guilty. there is
no way open, after his conviction but
to dismiss him from the academy. Sem
ator Hale felt that some action was i'm
perative by Congress and with others.
Of his way Of thinking on the subject,
put through the bill, which permits of
no favoritism but is expected to ensure
better administration.