Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-04-01
FROM WASHINGTON.
Congress may Adjurn in May : Names
Delegation Very Busy.

Senator Hale has had visit during the
past week from his son, Frederick Hale,
Of Portland, who was in touch somewhat
with the Taft boom while in town, and
returned to Maine to say that he favored
for President. He has made other visits
here this winter to his parents. As to
how far the senator shares his sons views
about the Taft boom is not known, al
though there is no question that the .ena-
tor is stoutly opposed to instructing dele
gates to the Chicago convention.
There is q feeling in Warrington that
Secretary Taft will get very near the NOM
ination, and probably will secure it. His
boom has been checked somewhat Of late,
however; he has been una BILE to get any
uncontested delegates ont of the South,
and it has become largely = matter OF
whether he can get enough second choice
delegates to pull of the great prize. The
Maine people who live in Washington like
Secretary Taft very much, ~ he q an at
- an able man, large enough to be Presi-
dent.
Senator Hale abstained from speaking
on the Aldrich currency bill, which
passed the Senate last week. He was inn
portuned to do 50, but felt that the bill
would pass anyway, and, - ne has much
to inject himself into the debate. He par
ticipated several times in the running dis
cussions on the bill, and was paired for
it when the final vote was taken.
In the meantime be has been keeping
tie Senate up to consideration of the APP
preparation bills - fast - they were sent
over from the House, so that the work on
the necessary money bills Is well ad-
vanced in the Senate. Mr.. Hale expects
that Congress will be away from WASH
ington before the middle OF May. He will
welcome an early Adjournment as desir-
this particular stage, when, il anything,
there is too much legislation for the COM
mon coed.
The Maine members OF the House now
believe they are on the last month of the
session. The rush and whirl to get BUSH
ness through Senate and House, which
characterize the closing weeks Of Con-
gress, have already begun, and the Maine
men are joining in the activity that their
measures may not be lost. Representative
Burleigh is still .pegging away with that
Speaker Cannon thinks may Be allowed to
60 through, and still helping to get the
items ''sized up and arranged to the sat-
isfaction Of a majority OF members, so
that the bill may pass with minimum of
friction.
The thing that worries Gov. Burleigh is
how to arrange the bill, and still have the
total within about 81, 0O0, 900. He has
figured over that a great deal, and has
brought it to the attention OF his subcom-
mittee, which has the jurisdiction of pub
lie building projects in ali New England
and several other states.
1t is expected, however, that the limit
will be raised, and unless this is done, the
committee will be at loss what to do
with the many projects that it has TO con-
slider Boston alone wants S3,000, 900 for
new custom house, which would exhaust
the total that Gov. Burleigh's suhcommit-
tee would be allowed under q 81, 600 900
bill. 1t goes without saying that he will
care for as many projects in Maine as may
be possible. There are several bills for
Maine public buildings, all for which the
governor has gathered upon his desk, and
is considering in the making up OF the
omnibus measure.
President Roosevelt the other day
granted a request by Representative Bur
leigh that Gen. Charles b. Hall, q Maine
man, who has been commandant of the
United States infantry and calvary school
at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, be promoted
to major general. Gen. Hall has now
been commissioned, and is the only Maine
man to attain that rank in the regular
army establishment for several years.
Other Maine men here Joined in the re-
quest to the President.
Gov. Burleigh called at the white house
and told the President OF his special in
terest in Gen. hall, who has been a gal
liant officer. Gen. Hall will retire in few
weeks from active service. He was a
second lieutenant of volunteers in the 18th
Maine infantry, and afterward was a first
lieutenant in the 30th Maine volunteer
regiment.
Gna M bar Mo;pa mon has baan On tho
retired list of the army as a ma general
in recent years Gen. II. c. Merriam, who
still resides in Washington. However, he
never served in the army with that rank,
it having been conferred upon him by act
of Congress after he had retired as brig
adler. Gov. Burleigh assisted in securing
that special legislation for Gen. Merriam,
who had been boy hood friend in Aroos-
took county.
There is much regret here over the re-
tirement OF Representative Charles Z.
Littletield, of the second district, from
Congress He is highly regarded by both
parties i'll the House for his ability. Rep
| resentative Burleigh said to-day that Mr..
Littletield's retirement was distinct loss
to Maine, he having been very active in
everything here that could help the old
Pine Tree state.
Congressman Burleigh has recently
received very pleasing letter from the
secretary OF the National association OF
letter carriers, in which thanks are
extended him for his work in behalf of
higher salaries for the carriers of the
country. The letter follows and is self
explanatory:
NATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF LETTER cAsRrRRs.
OFFICE OF SECRETARY.
Hon. r.. C. BIrieiqh. Washington, d. c.
My DEAR CONGRESSMAN: On behalf of the
letter carriers of the United States, desire to
express their thanks and appreciation for the
interest you took in getting the amendment
to the postoffice appropriation bill passed
which provides for the promotion of the car
riers in the sl.ioO grade to 81 30 during the
next fiscal year / will make known to our
friends the interest you have taken in our
welfare and know ii will be appreciated by
the carriers, their families and friends,
throughout the country.