Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-04-13
The Late Governor Pcrham,

nome in Washington. D. c., where he
has lived in recent years. And now,
suddenly comes the announcement Of
his death 1t comes as a surprise TO
the people Of Maine for there had been
no earlier intimation that he was ill or
that his long and illustrious career was
about to end. Sidney Perham was the
oldest Of Names cx-goycrnors both in
age and in period of service. He
served three terms as Names chief
executive. in 1S71-72-13. Previous to
that he had beeu in Congress for six
years
Governor Perham was in the best
on farm in the town of Woodstock,
oxford county, March 81. 1919, the son
Of Joel Pcrham, who was born in Paris
in 1797. After few years in the dis
triCt school and at Goulds Academy,
Bethel. he became a farmer himself,
occasionally teaching school in the
winter season. For 20 years he carried
on a constantly increasing farming
business. at times keeping as many as
800 sheep. His first public office was
as selectman Of his native town Of
Woodstock when he was - years old
and he served the town i'm nearly all
its various offices until other duties
prevented In 1853 ne became a MEM
Der Of the State Board of Agriculture
and during this year and the following
year delivered numerous addresses
throughout the State.
In 1874 he was elected to The Legis-
iature and at the opening of the SEES
sion was elected Speaker. that being
the first instance in the history of our
State when a person without legisla-
tive experience had been elected to that
important office, In 1856 he was
presidential eector and with his asso
ciates gave the vote of the State for
John c. Fremont, the nominee Of the
Republican party which MIR. Perham
had been active in establishing and
organizing here in Maine. In 1853 he
became clerk of courts for Oxford
county, holding the Office Tour years
until 1862, when he was elected to
Congress by 900 majority. He was
reelected in 1864 and 1866 by increased
maiorities. During his six years at
Washington he made his influence felt
in matters of national legislation. He
was a speaker Of force and eloquence
and in 1868 took d specially prominent
part in the impeachment proceedings
against President Johnson.
His services in these various offices
had 50 demonstrated his ability and
integrity that he was one Of the best
known and most popular men Of Maine
and so it was in the natural order Of
things that he was the Republican
candidate for Governor in 1910. lie was
elected and was twice reelected by in
creased majoritics. During his terms
as Governor he advocated reform in
the jail system 50 as to provide en-
ploymcn: for prisoners. urged an
Industrial school for girls. recommends
eli the establishment of Il free High
School system and also biennial cleo
tious ana legislative sessions. The
first three of these measures were
hi sl.lt
while biennial elections and sessions
were not realized until a decade later
He was the first president Of the
board Of trustees Of til" Industrial
school for girls and served in this
capacity until his resignation in 1879,
a period Of - years. I'm 1917 he was
appointed appraiser for the port 81
Portland by President Hayes and held
this office eight years. For the past
~ wears he has made his home for Il
large part OF the time in Washington.
although still keeping his residence at
Paris Hill and spending most of his
summers there. He was familiar
figure in Washington. especially at the
national Capitol where his earlier
services in Congress gave him the
privileges of the floor and where he
often mingled with the members and
closely followed the work Of that body.
His intellect was keen to the END ana
phy sically he was exceptionally active
for a man of his advanced years. He
was always a most loyal son of Maine
and took a leading part in the gath
erings OF Maine people in Washington.
Governor Perham was a fine type OF
man. faithful in the discharge of every
duty and living a life without stain in
any private or public capacity he
is a man whose memory the State OF
Maine can well afford to honor
Oklahoma is plainly planning on a i"t
OF business for its courts ana con-