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


try is 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
direction.
Advocated Parcels Post System.
Governor Burleigh has always been
firm believer in the parcels post.
Though the matter was before another
committed 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 large number in his district
More than 5000 of them Gncluding wild
ows of veterans)-both Republicans
and Democrats-will bear testimony to
mis- good work in this direction. At the
very beginning of his work in Congress
he started 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 commune
cations relating to it received from the
Pension Department. When we consid-
err 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 complete and
systematic record of this great work
could he hope to accomplish the best
possible results in handling it. The
fact that he has been able since he has
been 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 be reached under the general
law, and has secured favorable action
in considerable proportion of them
Fish from Government Hateheries.
Since he has been in Congress Mr..
ernment hatcheries for important wa
tiers in all the counties in his district.
1t is 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 t1n-
tried man wheTi 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
tired UP to the expectations of the peo-
pie whose confidence and esteem he
nefited and won, and which he retains
today IN undin,inished force. He has
been all his life equal to every ener-
gency, and faithful to every trust.
During his service as treasurer of
Maine the public debt was decreased
more than 100000 and the rate of tax
alton was reduced from four mills to
two and three-quarters mills upon the
dollar of the State valuation.
In 1888 he was elected Governor of
Maine by 1903 plurality over Hon.
William l.. Putnam, his Democratic
competitor. He was reelected in $780,
when the voters We're without a presi-
dental contest to stimulate them to
political activity, by the increased plu-
rality of 1889 His administration was
pre-eminently a constructive one. With
a wonderful capacity for hard work he
combined. in marked degree, the ex-
ecutive faculty. His addresses to the
Legislature We're models of clearness
and strength. Press and people united
in commencing his administration. His
appointments were very strong, and
were always made with an eye
to- the needs of the public
service. He has been a man of
action rather than words, and,
in his distinguished public career, has
left behind a record of substantial
achievement that speaks far more elo-
cuently than words could possibly do.
His four years We're in an eminent de-
gree constructive years in the life OF
tre State government.
Praise from Newspapers of Both Par
| ties.
OF his first one, the Eastern Argus,
then as now the leading Democratic
newspaper of the State, spoke as fol-
| lows in its issue of Jan. 5, 1889:
| Governor Burleigh's address is good
i 1t discusses the usual topics in a candid,
straightforward manner, advances re-
concentrations with conservative eau
| ton, and gives evidence throughout that
he intends to make a good Governor of
the whole people, not of a class clique.
/ IF his presentation of the financial
| condition of the treasury is slightly more
! fiattering than existing facts justify, it
| is an error on the hopeful side, which we
| shall all be glad to see more than real
| lied. The Governor evidently sympa-
| thizes with the taxpayers of the State,
| the farmers particularly"
Of his second inaugural address the
! Argus said
| Governor Burleighs message is a
! Nell-Wrtten document. 1t is a plain,
| business-like review of Maine affairs,
| with such comments on past legislation,
| and recommendations for future legisla-
| point"
The MESA es of Governor Burleigh
We're warmly commended by the press
| of both parties, and by common con-
sent, are conceded to rank among the
eblest State papers in the history of
Maine. The Waterville Sentinel of
| January Is, 1891 voiced the general YER
dict in the following editorial under the
| caption, a Good Mesa e.''
| rarely have the political newspapers
| of the State, of both parties given such
| hearty communication to a State paper
as they have accorded to the message of
| o;frl,