The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1908-05-07

hat every river and harbor bill that
has been passed since Mr.. Burleigh en-
tered Congress has carried substantial
appropriations for the 3rd District.
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
States Arsenal property at Augusta,
with ali the valuable buildings upon it,
to the State OF Maine. When Mr.. Bur
leigh secured favorable report upon
the project from the war department,
the committee had adjourned for the
session. and it was said it was impos
sible for any action to be taken. How
ever, Mr.. Burleigh got them together
and secured a unanimous report IN fav
or of the transfer of the property,
which the superintendent of the Maine
| Insane hospital has said to be worth
| half million dollars to the State.
Congressman Burleigh, too, has been
| one of the most active promoters of the
rural free delivery service in the United
/ States. He has taken great interest In
1 securing its extension in all parts OF
this district, and there is probably not
another district in the United States
that SurpasseS the 3rd District of Maine
in the extent and efficiency of this ser
vice. The complete county systems
that we ali enjoy were secured among
the first in the country and among the
very first in New England, almost en-
tIrely through the personal efforts OF
Mr.. Burleigh.
The survivors of the late Civil War
! have had no tIuer friend in Maine than
Mr.. Burleigh. 1t was upon his very
earnest recommendation when Govern
or that the Legislature of 1889 increased
the appropriation for disabled veterans
and those dependent upon them, from
$4,000 to $4,000. As Representative
he has been an interchangeable worker for
the old solder. His books show that
since he las been a member of the
House he has assisted in the adjustment
of nearly $500 pension cases. In each
! instance the record of the case, includ-
ing all the reports he has received from
the department, is carried out in full
This, in itself, has been a prodigious
labor, but it has enabled him to keep at
all times in close and intelligent touch
with this phase of his work. | believe
that we may truthfully say of Mr.. Bur-
leigh that during his entire term of Of
ice there has never been service for
the soldier that it was in his power to
perform which he has not attended to-,
promptly, and gladly, and efficiently.
Besides all this, Mr.. Burleigh has
been faithful in the small things, in the
thousand and one little matters that
mean so much to so many of our peo-
pie. He has always had large CORE
Spondence and, with characteristic en-
ergy. has always made it a point to
keep fully abreast OF his work at all
times. 1t has always been his policy
to give immediate attention to the in
terests submitted to him by his consti-
tuents and no interest is too small to
receive his prompt personal and care
full attention, and no man is too humble
to receive at his hands that gentle kind
| ly courtesy that has characterized his
entire public career and endeared him
to the people of this district.
Such, gentlemen, is the man who rep
resents us in Congress today. We
have met to nominate mis- successor
Who shall it be? Who best under
stands the conditions and needs of this
district? Who is best fitted to serve
us? Justice, reason and experience
| give but one answer. We have many
men among us who, at another time
and under other circums tances might
we'll fill this honorable Office with credit
to themselves and honor to the district.
But today, gentlemen, if simple justice
is to be done; if merit is to receive its
due reward; if years of faithful, con-
! scientious efficient service are to be
rounded out and perfected as they
| should be; if experience and knowledge
are of any value, then there can be but
one logical candidate for this conven-
ton to consider, and that candidate, al
ready, by the firesides of this district
and in the hearts of his constituents in
our four counties, has been nominated
and elected.