The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-03-04

capacity of the houses, but on the Ken
nebec there's expected to be a cut OF
800. 600 tons. A crew of 1000 men is
now at work on the latter river and the
daily pay roll is in the vicinity of So, sou.
Writing from Paris Mr.. J. +. Clarke
has something to say concerning French
men eating frogs; but that is dish not
uncommon in this country. On one oc-
,asion at least it was served in Pull
man dining car on the Wabash railroad,
and at one time a Belfast man was en-
gagged in catching frogs for shipment to
the Boston market. Only the hindquar-
ters are used, and broiled they dispute
supremacy with the spring chicken.
There is an ancient story about rat
who had been leader in predatory raids
lpon pantry and storehouse, but who,
Ealing his followers together, told them
hat he was about to retire from his
former scenes of activity and go into Sc
elusion. He thereupon disappeared and
his fellow rodents were unable for some
time 10 discover his whereabouts. They
finally located him, with his family, iii the
centre Of a large and very rich cheese,
which afforded both shelter and susten-
ance. This story is often pertinent IN
regard to predatory bipeds.
There is more involved in he matter
If the Penobscot Bay Power Co, than
the mere question as to whether or not
they should be given permission to enter
This city. The interests of the city and
Of the citizens should be safeguarded,
The 5say of giving away public franchises
has passed in the large cities, mainly
because of the exposures of municipal
..or,}lption. 1t ought not to be possible
for one man, influenced by pecuniary or
other considerations, to give away what
belongs to the community in general: to
give to a foreign corporation the unre-
stricted use of the streets and permission
70 set poles and string wires wherever
they may see fit. regardless of public or
private rights.
The Letters of Mrs James G. Blaine,
edited by her daughter, Harriet |. Blaine
Beale. have been published in two hand
some volumes by Duffield & Co., New
York. Those who look in these letters
for inside political history will be disap-
PORTED. The letters were written to
different members of the Blaine family
and TO a few intimate friends, and relate
mainly to family matters; but one soon
becomes interested in the coming and
gong of the different members of the
family. their home life in Augusta and
Washington, and in the glimpses given
of TIE illustrious head of the household.
Nor are there wanting occasional refer
a1ces to public men of the day with whom
Mr.. Blaine was associated, and whose
characteristics are summed up in clever
phrase or sentence.
The Cabin John bridge near Washing
ION. built to carry the Washington acque-
duct over a ravine, and said at the time
20 have been the largest single span in
The world, was constructed under direc-
ton of the War Department when JEFF
ferson Davis was Secretary of War, and
bore q tablet on which was his name and
the cate. His name was erased later.
President Roosevelt has ordered the
name of Davis to be restored and the
B ahgor Commercial says in this connec-
ton:
1t was taken off by order of President
Roosevelt, in one of his impulslve, I'm,
guarded moments, and has been ordered
res tored bv Mr.. Roosevelt in sane mo-
meDt. one of the last acts of his official
life and one which will be given generous
The name Of Davis was taken off in
1862.
When Professor Bateman was resi-
dent of Waldo county he might well
nave been called the stormy petrol of
politics. He was usually found fiuttering
in the rear of one of the great parties.
He seems to be filling a like role in his
new home in Androscoggin county. The
Republican and Democratic committees
of Lewiston and Auburn had agreed not
TO use money for advertising purposes or
in any way endeavor to influence voters
at the coming municipal elections. Nat
orally the Republicans were indignant
when it was found that circulars had
been sent out containing the resolutions
adopted by the Democrats at their eau
Gus and urging citizens to vote for S. r.
Robinson, the Democratic candidate for
4navor of Auburn. Then the Democrats
were indignant in their turn over the
charge that they had broken theirzagree-
rnent; whereupon Batemanlpops1up and
s avs that he did it; that he wears no
mans collar and is responsible to no one
for his acts" That is undoubtedlyitrue.
The Republican ticket for city officers
10 be voted for on Monday next hardly
calls for commentator. The names