The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-05-07
Our Washington Letter.
Especial to The Republican Journal

| Special TO Inc RepuDucaH JOuTudl
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 4, 1914.
Maine matters of coast interest at Wash
ington are thinning with the advance of
spring and summer, Congress is now con-
( filming itself to the larger matters, rush.
ing ahead with general appropriation
bills, trying to dispose of the measure
for repeal of canal tolls. and also making
tremendous efforts to have the Presi-
dents antitrust bills considered before
the weather gets warm and it proves
impossible to hold anxious Democrats in
town. The Washington season is about
three weeks ahead of Maine. The foil
age is coming out and before long it will
be too hot at the Capitol for comfort.
Representative Peters of the third dis
trict has been away in Maine attending
the State convention. His speech at
Augusta, especially that portion of it
against repeal of free tolls for coastwise
shipping through the Panama canal, at
traeted much attention here. 1t was
prominently presented in the local news
papers and noticed by many men il, pub
lie life. Mr.. Peters has made excellent
progress in the House and is we'll thought
of there on both sides of the center aisle.
When he came to take his seat in the
House for the first time, all eyes were
upon him for his having carried the old
third district against stiff Democratic
fight in which the administration had
been conspicuous. If Mr.. Peters con-
tinues in the House he has promise of
being very useful member there, to his
constituents and also to the country.
Senator Burleigh is driving away at
his work, attending to lot of office
business in the forenoon, seeing Maine
visitors and debating letters and going
to the Departments in behalf of Maine
constituents, and in the afternoon fol-
lowing the business of the Senate. He |
keeps up closely with all the details of
Senate work at the Capitol. This, and |
all the local work there is, keeps Senator
Burleigh we'll occupied at Washington.
He has fallen very naturally into his
Senatorial duties, because of previous
experience at the Capitol, and is develop
ing into one of the very best Senators
Maine ever sent here.
Senator Burleigh has been identifying |
himself here prominently with the cause
of equal suffrage. He championed the
resolution for a constitutional amend
ment, which was defeated some weeks
ago in the Senate, and has been much in
conference here with those who are try
ing to obtain the same rights at the
ballot box for women that men now en-
Joy. 1t seems probable that the women
will abandon efforts here to obtain con-
stitutional amendment allowing them
voting rights, but the activity at Wash.
ington now is in behalf of a constitu-
tional amendment which will permit a
vote in the various States whenever the |
women are able to muster small per-
centage of advocates for referendum.
This has some chance of being adopted |
by Senate and House. For while there
is not necessary two-thirds majority In
the Senate for constitutional amend
ment giving women votes, there is more
than a majority, which speaks loudly as
to the progress women have made.
Meanwhile, preparations 60 forward
in many States for obtaining the ballot !
under local laws. That is the process !
which a majority Of members in both
branches of Congress undoubtedly favor.
Itspermits of the exercise of local senti-