The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1912-05-16

MEMBER OF congress. ne mas Been
Urged to Make Race for Senate
Next Yesr-Has Not Decided
Course of Future Action.
There is an interesting political situa-
ton on the northeasternmost corner of
the oni ME, That , corner solidy Repub-
Civil war heralded last autumns Demo-
cratic landslide in unprecedented fashion.
Maine is the one State of voting signif-
1t will vote in September, 1912, and Re
publicans, who are concerned about ma
tionaf politics have begun already to
think a about Maine They want the Pine
| kind of an intimation of the outcome of
the presidential campaign.
Former Represented tive Edwin c. Bur-
leigh, who left Washington a few weeks
ago at the conclusion of "A years service
in the House, has been mentioned much
in connection with Republican efforts
| to reclaim the old-time stronghold. He
Denies however, any intention of as
suming 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 a number of
years and a great political force in cen
trail Maine, he has the experience of
many hard-fought campaigns and enjoys
the support of very loyal following.
Strong Nan Necessary.
He was defeated for reelection, in
spite of the fast. that, as usual, he ran
far ahead of the resi- of the party ticket
Letters urging him to run again for the
I House from the Third Distriet-substan
TALLY the district that Blaine long repre-
nebec valley-have been pouring in upon
him, Other correspondents have been
/ urging, him to become candidate for
the United States Senate. Besides elect
! ing a governor and legislature next year,
Maine will choose a United States sena-
tor. The campaign will undoubtedly
center much in this fight for toga. A
Democratic legislature has redistricted
! the State for local representatives and
senator's all of which is calculated to
make it more difficult for Republicans
to regain a majority. This accentuates
the demand for strong and experienced
Republican to combat for senatorial
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 under
stood, however, that under no circum-
stance will he be candidate against
Senator Frye.
His Intimate friends at the Capitol here
believe Mr. Burleigh will ultimately be-
come 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
leighs career in the House made him
very popular with the folks back home
In quiet but effective manner he was
generally brought home the bacon"
whether it was matter of pension
claim for veteran constituent, better
postal facilities for a remote rural com
munity, an appropriation for river
dredging, or an authorization for new
public building.
Successful in House.
In such lines of activity Mr.. Burleigh
other man Maine ever sent to the ma,
tional House. He was indefatigable, and
the results of his industry We're little
short of surprising. He did not leave the
running of departmental errands to
others. Such things and matters of cor
respondence he gave his .diligent per-
sonaI attention, for which he has gained
a wide reputation the length and breadth
of the State. Although a 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.
as well as Republicans in the House
who regretted his defeat for reelection.
A successful business man, with a wide
judgment in dealing with business iegis-
lation. He also is very successful or.
ganizer Ten years ago he was one of
campaign for the re-apportionment meas
ure by which the membership of the
House was fixed at 391 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 lou
i in the Senate during the closing hours
of the last session Both apportionme eI
House by non-partisan cooperation. In
that connection much was said on each
occasion about taking care of Maine. !"
That was the object of Mr.. Burleigh's
activity in behalf of both bills The
State has been anxious to retain its
four members of the House.
His Work on Building Bills.
Mr.. Burleigh has borne no small part
In the public building legislation Of the
} last decade. He had place on the pub
lie building committee, next to the chair
man, and was a champion of the gov
ernment's transacting its business in
buildings that 1t owned. He did much
nibus building bills, served as chairman
of one of the leading subcommittee,
the jurisdiction of which embraced all
the New England States, and conducted
to final authorization a great number OF
public building projects. He always dis
couraged the injection Of politics into
| legislation of this sort and insisted up
on consideration Of the public business
as the sole basis for action.
Some years before coming to Congress
he served two terms as governor of
Maine, and is said to have given the
State the best business administration II
had had in a quarter Of century. He
t gave to State affairs the same careful
| attention that he had been accustomed