Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-30

Miiliken would ever have recognized as
a better land than his beloved State OF
Maine.
On the death Of Mr.. Milliken, after
due deliberations. we selected as our
representative to Congress the Hon.
Edwin G.. Burleigh of Augusta. whose
claim for recognition, even at that
time, was based on substantial and
valuable services rendered to the peo-
PIE of the State, in an honored career
as a public servant in which he had
proved beyond all question his capac-
ity and worth and his acceptability to
the people Of Maine. AS treasurer Of
the State he had seen it's public debt
decreased more than 100000 and the
rate Of taxation reduced from mills
to 20. mills on dollar of the State VAL.
uation; while, as Governor of Maine,
for two terms, he had proved himself
a constructive statesman of great abil-
ity and had merited and received the
united commentator of the press and
the public.
Strong, honest, and experienced, d
man of ability, purpose, and stamina,
we sent him to Congress in 1897, and
\
returning him ever since. Why? Be-
cause each succeeding year has seen
a marked and constant gain in his
popularity and ability to serve his dis
trct, and has laid US under ever in
creasing obligations to him. Because
he has more than justified our former
faith in him, richly fulfilling the prom
Use Of his earlier labOrs. Because at all
times and in all places he has dignified
tn. office and reflected credit on his
district and State. Because, measured
by work done and results accomplished
for his constituents, the Hon. Edwin
c. Burleigh is the most efficient man
We have in Congress today.
Now, gentlemen, Mr.. Burleigh, as
you know, is man Of actions rather
than If words. He has not been Il hot
air statesman. Intoxicated with the
exuborance of his own verbosity," nor
one who has in any way played to the
galleries We should bear in mind, my
friends, that law-making is a serious
matter; that it is not a spectacular
exhibition Of verbal pyrotechnics on
the floor of the House, but always a
business proposition requiring for its
litt'lIStll SoIuliOi Souiu NoiloCi StiNC
cOmmon-sense and experience We
must remember that not alone when
the tumultuous waves of rhetoric beat
with sonorous cadences against the
Speakers desk and overwhelm the
spectators gallery, is legislation made,
are wise laws framed and interests of
.. constituents conserved and protected,
but that in the quiet and calm and pri-
vacy OF the committee room, by care
full diligent, painstaking and persist
ent labor, is the true work of Congress
accomplished, and the needs of con-
stituents considered and attended to.
While other congressman. blessed
with q flow OF language are filling
space in the Congressional Record or
engagements in entertainment bureaus,
our honored congressman, Mr.. Bur-
leigh, is busy attending to the interests
of his constituents and the needs of his
district.
say to you, gentlemen, and know
that you agree with me in this state
mant, that Mr.. Burleigh's record of
honorable service and substantial
achievement speaks here today, far
moro eloquently than any words could
possibly do: that it is written where
every day we turn the page to read it,;
that it has made him the greatest vote
| getter and most successful standard
bearer the State has ever known.
lin touching briefly at this time up
on the character of Governor Bur-
leigh and upon his work in Congress,
I desire to speak simply and directly,
| and if with generous appreciation yet,
I trust, with no idle flattery. OF his
character, | would simply say that, in
long career of public service, his mo-
tives and his honor have never been
called into question and that we may
truthfuliy say of him what may be
said Of few men:
"Fe wears without abuse
The grand old name Of gentleman
With his congressional record you are
| all familiar. You know that since ne
,, has been in Congress Governor Bur-
leigh has served with distinction on
the committee on public buildings, and
| on the census committee, which has
charge not only of the census but of
the apportionment that is based upon
it; that he has been steadily advanced
| until he is today second on each of
| .hese committees, being Immediately in
line for two of the most important
| chairmnnships of the House 1t is not
necessary that l should here recount
his eminent service, as member Of
| these committees. to the district and
State. His work on the census COM
| niittee, at the time of the last appor-
| tionment. through which Maine retain
| ed her representation in the House, is
a matter of history. 1t is perhaps sig
| nifcant that during the period that Mr..
| Burleigh has served on the public
buildings committee. more money has
been appropriated for public buildings
in Maine than during any similar per-
| iod in the history of the State. In adj
dition to this. we should appreciate the
| fact that every river and harbor bill
| that has been passed since Mr.. Bur-
leigh entered Congress has carried sub
| stantial appropriations for the 5rd Dis
| trict.
1t is generally conceded at Washing
| ton that one of the greatest personal
triumphs achieved by any member was
Won by Congressman Burleigh when.
by practically unanimous consent, he
secured the transfer of the United