Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-16
Move for Public Building
at WateIvj|Ie, Maine.
0'her Meas ures in Which Con-
q[ess man BuI|eigh Is Active.
chief Justice Fuller Has No In.
tention Of Resigning.

washington, D. c., Jan. 1o.-(Spe-
oian-A revival of reports that Chief
1,stica Fuller. of the supreme court, a
CORNER Augusta man, would soon re-
49,, On that Secretary of War Taft
narld he appointed in his place called
ut = very tart denial. Every year, am.
ro,atirnes oftencr than once a year,
,basa statements about the chief JUS
,ico are revived. He has hitherto
hor,e them in silence. OF course it is
ro,uro, that Republican leaders should
want man of their own party at the
bo,d of the judiciary branch of the
government, although the Justices pay
"a attention to politics when once they
oro nominated and confirmed to their
,fe nositions. But it is also we'll
rrown that Chief Justice Fuller has
been A Democrat ever since the days
Union he edited a Democratic news
norer in Augusta. He was nominated
to bo chief Justice as Il Democrat and
hy a Democratic President. Grover
cleveland and for 20 years the head of
the judiciary branch of the COVERT
ment has accordingly been Demo-
crat.
Now "tha Chief" as he is known
around the supreme court has said
very pointedly that when he is ready
IN resign he himself will inform the
rubIic of his decision and he says it
with the vigor of man of SO rather
than of 70. The Chief" Will be 10
Feb II next As a matter of fact JUS
tice Harlan who, saving only Chief
Justice Fuller, is the oldest man on
the supreme court bench, made very
similar announcement only q few
months ago. Rumor had been busy
with his prospective resignation. be-
cause he is long past the retiring age
As a rule the justices of the court OF
nine resent these reports of their re-
tirement, which often originate with
ambitious candidates for their places.
There Is no POWER on earth that can
remove them, as long as their conduct
is good. and every justice is his own
judge as to when he shall retire.
The court is now composed of six
Republicans and three Democrats, all
Of the three Democrats being APP
p0intces Of President Cleveland during
his two terms of Office They are all
regarded as very able justices for
President Cleveland was very fortunate
in the character of men he chose t"
wear the federal ermine. Many say
that Associate Justice Edward Doug
lass White. who was appointed by
President Cleveland in February, 1894,
is the ablest man now on the supreme
,,-nal II u
passes a portion Of his summers III
Maine
The Pine Tree State delegation i'll
the House is interested in securing an
appropriation on the River and Harbor
bill. soon to be reported. for the i'm
rrovement OF the kennebec river. Rep
rescntativc Burlcigh has been actively
at work on this matter. He has been
In consultation with the chief of army
engineers, Gen. Alexander Mckenzie.
over it and also with Representative
Burton of ONO chairman Of the COM
mlttec that is making up the bill. Rep
feSentatvc i.ittlefield has been CO.
operating with Coy. Purlcigh, for the
contemplated improvements to the riv-
FL are In both tho Second and the Third
congressional districts. The Maine
men have not asccrtaincd yet what the
committee will be able to do. The bill
probably will not be ready for report
al least two weeks. although it was re-
Gently announced that it would be re-
ported by Jan. 20. Representative
Lawrence, OF Massachusetts. is chair
man of the subcommittee in charge
MON l1sslt ian .Nf I. "A
items in the bill He has first of all tc
i'oK out for an item of about $4,000.000
,of me Improvement Of Boston har-
"'F' but Il friendly to the kenncbcc
."er project ana will do all he can to
'1f'Err IT, Chairman Burton and Rep
ieSehtativc BurlCigh have been through
s'eIai harG legislative fights together
y. me House and there is no doubt that
''' burton will aid the kenncbcc pro-
w. as lar as he can on the showing
'Aaue by the army engineers.
inc customs congratulations bill,
"Hich Coy. BuIleigh fought vigorously
- u!e last session Of Congress seems
:. oe dead. There is now no possible
VI Us being brought up at this ses-
t'i' which means that it's advocates.
me! want to press it hereafter. must
t;n sHi again at the beginning. AT one
NJ iast session it seemed that there
enough votes in the House to
~ mat measure which provides for
a. "ooiltion Of some so small customs
~. '.ets IN various parts of the coun-
~. maine, however, being the state
reon would suffer most by the proposed
iSdIliL1fiaD l.; II,
,Wr-ported from the House committee on
s ways and Means, when Gov. Burleigh
0out bringing its opponents into
continued on Page Two.)