Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-05-22
Summary of Appropriations Secured
for Maine by Governor Burleigh.
Rural Free Delivery Service.

Governor BurleiSh was one or the
earliest and most active supporters OF
the Rural Free Delivery service. He
was one OIL the most active men In
Congress in securing the benefits OF
this service for his constituents, with
the result that no district in the coun-
try il better covered with these routes
than the Third District of Maine. He
has received many hundreds of letters
from the people who live along these
routes-both Republicans and Demo
crats-expressing their personal appre-
citation of his prompt and efficient work
in looking after their interests in this
diret ton.
Advocated Parcels Post System.
Governor Burleigh has always been a
firm believer in the parcels post
Though the matter was before another
committee. he took occasion, during his
last term of service, to personally urge
upon its chairman the desirability of
early and favorable action in this i'm
portant matter.
interests of Union Veterans.
Mr.. Burleigh has been an indefatiga-
BILE worker in looking after the inter-
ests of the Union veterans of whom he
has d large number in his district
More than 5000 of them Gncluding wild
ows of veterans)-both Republicans
and Democrats--will bear testimony to
hts good work in this direction. At the
very beginning of his work in Congress
he started a set of record books upon
which every case was entered as it
came to him. Upon these books are
recorded all the facts relating to each
case-including copies of the communi-
cations relating to it received from the
Pension Department. When we consid-
er the fact that these cases and the
communications relating to them run
into the many thousands the enormous
amount of work involved will at once
be appreciated. Mr.. Burleigh felt that
only by keeping such a complete and
systematic record of this great work
could he hope to accomplish the best
possible results in handing 1t. The
fact that he has been able since he has
been a member OF Congress to assist in
the adjustment of more than 5000 of
these cases is the best possible proof
Of the soundness OF this judgment. In
addition to these cases. Governor Bur-
leigh has introduced nearly $50 special
pension and relief bills in cases which
could not ba reached under the general
law. and has secured favorable action
In considerable proportion of them.
Fish from Government Hatcheries.
Since he has been in Congress Mr..
Burleigh has secured fish from the gov
ernment hatcheries for important wa
tiers in all the counties in his district.
It In a matter of record that he has in
every instance been able to meet all
the requests of this character from his
district, and not once has any applica-
ton of his been rejected by the United
States Fish Commission.
His State Record.
Governor Burleigh was no new or un-
tried man when he was sent to repre-
sent the people of his district in the
National House of Representatives. He
had been tried in positions of public
trust and responsibility, and had meas
ured up to the expectations of the peo-
pie whose confidence and esteem he
merited and won, and which he retains
today in undiminished force. He has
been all his life equal to every emer-
gency, and faithful to every trust.
During his service as treasurer oil
Maine the public debt was decreased
more than 100000, and the rate Of tax
alton was reduced from four mills to
two and three-auarters mills upon the
dollar of the State valuation.
In 1883 he was elected Governor OF
Maine by 1903 plurality over Hon
William L. Putnam, his Democratic
competitor. He was reelected in 1890
vfh he Wi Il.
Dental contest to stimulate them Il
political activity, by the increased plu-
rality of 1889. His administration was
pre-eminently a constructive one, Will
a wonderful capacity for hard work h
combined. in marked degree. the ex-
ecutive faculty. His addresses to the