Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-05-29


court had decided that Uncle sam
couldn't be made to pay it. In his de-
sire 10 please the political editor of HIS
paper, this inexperienced correspondent
allowed himself To color the matter
slightly in order to heroize his lawyer
If he sent his story as he told IL to me.
The William S. Grant case, 1t Will De
recalled. was claim for $4,000 against
the government Grant was a Gardi-
ner, Me- man who had a transporter
ton contract with the United States.
He had a wagon train ready to start
across Texas with supplies but was
detained by order of an army officer
Before he was allowed to move Texas
seeded and his supplies were con-
fiscated by confederates.
For years the case was banded back
and forth, Grant having the sympathy
OF government officials, but no autlori-
ty for remuneration could be found.
The supreme Court found no obligation
ia lax to pay for Grants confiscated
supplies.
Ia 1897 bills of the same nature,
for the relief of William S. Grant,
were introduced in the Senate by
Senator Frye and in the House by
Congressman Milliken. After Mr..
Milliken's death his bill. known as
House bill 1853. was not called up.
The Frye bill, known as Senate bill
257. was passed without amendment
or opposition. II had been ably adj
v6cated by Grants counsel before the
committee on claims. This bill went
70 the House and was referred to the
committee on war claims. When
that committee reported. opposition
developed on the floor of the House.
Loud, Bland and others demanding
explanation of every item of the re-
port and proof of the claims.
Ii was at this time that Congress
man Bnrleigh became active. He
was convinced of the entire justice
of the claim; a similar bill had been
introduced by his predecessor; the
claimant was from his district: the
claimants counsel was distinguished
legal friend from his home city.
Governor Burleigh espoused the cause
as though it were his own. He per-
sonalIy consulted with, and reviewed
the ease to, more than 100 members
of the House. He convinced them of
the justice of the claim. He Sc
hand to vote for the bill. He lined
these up and learned the strength of
the opposition. 1t was only through
his untiring efforts that the bill was
not defeated on the floor of the
House. 1t was a piece of work
that won recognition for a practically
new member from Maine by the
leaders of the House. 1t won COM
plimentary reference in the public
press and an enthusiastic letter from
Grants counsel to the editor of the
Kennebec Journal, which was pub
lished by newspaper admirers of Gov
ernor Burleigh
This letter from Grants counsel.
dated here at Washington, contained,
among other things the following
sentence:
at is a source of great qualification
and pride to all Maine people here to
see and know that Governor Burleiqh
is universally ciassed among the
strong men of the House.
At that time the Washington Post
paid Governor Burleigh splendid
compliment as the new member who
had created a favorable impression
and said, in reference:
Mr. Burleigh is n modest man, well
known in political life in Maine. care
full, conservative, and thoroughly
typical of the stannch qualities of
Maine people,
Both Senators Hale and Frye paid
Governor Burleigh high compliments
| at that time.
The matter has been served up in
variety of ways by correspondents
who took no pains to get the facts,
but il is common knowledge here in
Washington that the Grant claim
would never have passed the House
but for the earnest and tireless work
Iof Governor Burleigh