Daily Kennebec journal., 1912-05-20

Next Yesr--tias Not Decided
Course of Future Action.
There is an interesting political situa-
tion on the northeasternmost corner of
the Union. That corner. solidly Repub-
lcar, with hardly an exception since the
Civil war. heradsd last autumn's Demo-
cratic landslide in unprecedented fashion.
Maine Is the one State of voting signifi-
cance that holds a September election.
1t will vote in September, 1912, and Re
publicans, who are concerned about ma
tlonal politics have begun already to
Tree State to give the country the right
kind of an intimation of the outcome of
tho presidential campaign.
Former Representative Edwin G. Bur-
leigh. who left Washington a few weeks
ago at the conclusion of IA years service
In the House, has been mentioned much
In connection with Republican efforts
10 reclaim the old-time stronghold He
denies, however, any intention of as
Stunning leadership, although his friends
say he is eminently qualified TO wear the
mantle. As the dean of the Maine dele
cation In the House for number of
years and great political force in CEN
tral Maine. he has the experience Of
many hard fought campaigns, and enjoys
the support of a very loyal following.
Strong Man Necessary.
He was defeated for reelection. in
spite Of the fact that, as usual, he ran
Letters urging him to run again for the
House from the Third District-substan-
TALLY the district that Blaine long repre-
sented, comprising counties in the ken.
nebec valley-have been pouring in upon
him. Other correspondents have been
urging him to become a candidate Tor
the United States Senate. Besides elect
ing governor and legislature next year,
Maine will choose a United States sena-
tor. The campaign will undoubtedly
center much in this fight for a toga. A
ffp laeYfE lat
the State for local representatives and
senators, all of which is calculated to
make 1t more difficult for Republicans
to regain majority. This accentuates
the demand for a strong and experienced
Republican to combat for senatorial
honors.
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 under
stood, however, that under no circum-
stance viii he be candidate against
His intimate friends al the Capitol here
believe Mr.. Burleigh will ultimately be-
come a candidate either for the House or
the Senate. He and Mrs Burleigh left
Washington with the intention of re-
naming in Boston three or four weeks
before returning to Maine. Mr.. Bur
leishs career IN the House made nun
In "a quiet but effective manner he was
successful in getting things done He
generally brought home the bacon,
whether it was a matter of pension
claim fer veteran constituent, better
postal facilities for remote rural COM
munity, an appropriation for river
dredging, or an authorization for a new
public building.
'4 Successful in House.
4. 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. lie did not leave the
running of departmental errands to
others. Such things and matters OF cor
respondence he gave his diligent per-
sonal attention, for which he has gained
"A wide reputation the length and breadth
of the State. Although sturdy parti-
san in matters of general legislation, Mr..
Burleigh 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 we'll as Republicans in the House
who regretted his defeat for reelection
A successful business man, with a wide
knowledge of affairs, he showed sound
Judgment in dealing with business lesis-
lation. He also is very successful or
ganizcr Ten years ago he was one of
the very foremost in blocking out the
campaign for the re-apportfonment meas
House was fixed at 39l in spite of the
protests of the old leaders, AS the rank
ing member of the census committee, he
had a like role in the framing of the re-
apportionment bill which the House
passed and which was afterward killed
in the Senate during the closing hours
of the last session. Both apportionment
measures were carried through the
House by bipartisan cooperation. In
that connection much was said on each
occasion about taking care OF Maine,
rf,t. he, nh nf :
activity In behalf of both bills. The
state has been anxious to retain its
four members of the House
His WnrI on Building Bills.
Mr. Burleigh has borne no small part
Ia the public building legislation of the
last decade. He had place on the pub
lie building committee. next to me cnair'
ernments transacting its business II
buildings that ii owned. He did much
hard preliminary, work IN preparing l ON,
of one of the leading sub-committees
the Jurisdiction of which embraced al
the New England States, and conducted
TO final authorization great number oil
public building projects. lie always dis
couraged the injection OF politics into
legislation of this sort and insisted up
on sonsideraaoia SIDE assia for 9a acton @ up'o business
Some years before coming to Congress
he served two terms as governor oil
State the best business administration il
had had in a quarter Of century. He
gave to State affairs the same careful
attention that he had been accustomed
to bestow upon his private affairs. This
policy brought him wide popularity II
every county of the state, and has al
ways helped pile up big vote for hin
at election time
Although the Democrats of recen
years, have been very active In centra
Maine and especially in Kennebec coun
| ty. of which his home city of Augusta
is the seat, he has retained many goot
| friends in their ranks, and but for al