Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1911-04-12
BURLElGH IN CONGRESS-.
What the Augusta Statesman has
done The Future.

.
Civil war, heralded last autumn's demo-
cratic landslide in unprecedented fashion,
Maine is the one State OF voting signifi-
canoe that holds September election. 1t
will vote in September, 1912, and repub-
leans. who are concerned about national
politics, have begun already to think
about Maine. They want the Pine Tree
state to give the country the right kind
OF an intimation of the outcome OF the
presidential campaign.
Former Representative Edwin c. Bur-
leigh, who left Washington few weeks
ago at the conclusion of fourteen years.
service in the House, has been mentioned
much in connection with republican ef-
| forts to reclaim the old-time stronghold.
| He denies, however, any intention OF as
Stunning leadership, although his friends
say he is eminentiy qualified TO wear the
mantle. As the dean Of the Maine deiega-
| ton in the House for n number OF years
and a great political force in central
| Maine. he has the experience of many
hard fought campaigns, and enjoys the
support of very loyal following.
| He was defeated for re- election, in spite
| OF the fact, that, as usual, he ran far ahead
OF the rest OF the party ticket. Letters
urging him to run again for the House
from the third district ubstantially the
district that Blaine long represented, COM
prising counties in the Kennebec valley
have been pouring in upon him. Other
correspondents have been urging him to
become a candidate for the United States
Senate.
Besides electing governor and legisla-
ture next year, Maine will choose a
United States senator. The campaign will
undoubtedly centre much in this fight for
toga. democratic legislature has re-
districted the State for local representa-
tives and senators, all of which is cal
culated to make 1t more difficult for re-
publicans TO regain majority. This
| sccentustes the demand for a strong and
experienced republican to combat for
senato riai honors.
Mr.. Burleigh has given no definite an
swer to these letters. just before he de-
parted from Washington he said he was
not ready to announce whether he would
accept another nomination for the House,
or even whether he would enter the race
for the Senate. 1t is understood, however,
that under no circumstances will he be a
candidate against Senator Frye.
His intimate ireinds at the capitol here
believe Mr.. Burieigh will ultimately be-
come candidate either for the House or
the Senate. He and Mrs. Burieigh left
Washington with the intention OF re-
manning in Boston three or four weeks be-
fore returning to Maine. Mr.. Burleigh's
career in the House made him very popu-
lar with the folks back home. In q quiet
but effective manner he was successful in
getting things done. He generally
drought home the bacon, whether it
was a matter OF pension claim for a
veteran constituent, better postal ia
cilities for remote rural community, an
appropriation for river dredging, or an
author cation for new public building.
In such lines OF activity Mr.. Burleigh
was probably more successful than any
other man Maine ever sent to the ma
tional House. He was indefatigable, and
the results OF his industry were little short
of surprising. He did not leave the run
ming OF departmental errands to others.
Such things and matters OF correspond
ence he gave his diligent personal atten-
ton, for which he has gained q wide repu-
tation the length and breadth of the
State. Although a sturdy partisan in
matters OF general legislation, Mr. Bur-
leigh knew no politics in taking care Of
the interests OF the home folks. He has
made personal friends among men of both
parties.
So it was that there were democrats as
well as republicans in the House who re-
gretted his defeat for reelection. A
successful business man, with wide
knowledge OF affairs, he showed sound
judgment in dealing with business legis-
lation. He also is . very successful
organizer. Ten years ago he was one Of
the very foremost in blocking out the
campaign for the reapportionment meas
ure by which the membership OF the
House was fixed at 3e1 in spite Of the pro-
tests Of the old leaders.
AS the ranking member OF the census
committee, he had . like role in the
framing of the reapportionment bill,
which the House passed and which was
afterwards killed in the Senate during the
closing hours OF the last session. Both
apportionment measures were carried
through the House by non bipartisan CO.
operation. In that connection much was
said on each occasion about stalking care
OF Maine. That was the object Of Mr..
Burieigh's activity in behalf Of both bills.
The State has been anxious to retain its
four members OF the House.
MIR. Burleigh has borne no small part
in the public building legislation Of the
last decade. He had . place on the
public building committee, next to the
chairman, and was . champion of the
governments transacting its business
in buildings that it owned. He did much
hard preliminary work in preparing
omnibus building bills, served as chair