The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1914-12-31
Our Washington Letter.
rsnecia, to The Republican Journal

Democrat ready for nomination ano cohnt'h
+;on The matter, however, is causing MIN "
Int If trouble and worry. AS the district is
represented in the House by Kepuohcan'
the endorsement of the winning canoloa'r ioi
tho office falls upon Senator Johnson. ne 10
+rv;ro to ascertain the sentiment OF the COIN
,,un,tv. hut rival candidates are working So
earnestlv and feverishly that the SENATOR c0'
not easily decide.
There are to be examinations under the ClVh
Service in the latter part of January 1or %
fourth class postmasterships all over maihe
Some of these are in Waldo county. Inls Ii
Democratic effort to avoid nominating hepuo-
,;cans to these offices. Many old time Repuo-
l1can postmasters, or members of their 1amil-
les qualified by the Civil Service examinations
for nostmasterships in Maine. Their names
went upon the eligible lists for these omces.
But Democrats are claiming they have the
RIGHT under the Civil Service law to have an
eligible list of at least three for every post
office and they want three eligibles at least for
every one of these 90 fourth class post oHces
in Maine each of which pays salary OF over
urged to enter the lists for these offices with
the idea that by taking the examinations they
may pass high enough to get on the ehgloie
list, whereupOn Senator johnson and repre-
sentative McGilicuddy will seek reasons why
the Democratic eligible shall be preferred over
the Republican eligible. 1t may not be alto
gether satisfactory proceeding to the people,
but Maine Democrats are very hungry for the
patronage. Democratic administration at
Washington is so rare they do not want to miss
the opportunity of getting as many as possible
of the faithful upon Uncle Sans pay roll.
Senator Burleigh of Maine is remaining at
Washington over the holidays. He was one of
for the session and is devoting himself indus
triously to the interests of his constituents.
Senate Republicans of recent weeks, since the
November election, have been girding them
selves for Wig orous opposition to many phases
of the Democratic administration. and are
having reorganization for this purpose Sen
ator Burleigh, with his long political expert
ence and his standing as business man, is
taking an active part in this Senate work.
One of the important missions Of the Republi-
can opposition will be to prevent any more
disastrous legislation by the administration.
In this connection particular efforts will be
directed against the Presidents ship purchase
bill. Senator Burleigh believes this very I'M
desirable legislation. 1t would commit the
government to the purchase and operation of
ships to maximum of $4,000 900. Such op-
erations would be largely to South America
and would come in competition with Maine
built and Maine operated ships. Senator Bur-
leigh believes the Republicans will be able to
prolong consideration of the appropriation
bills sufficiently to leave no time for taking
up the purchase bill. Democrats are very
averse to an extra session of Congress next
spring and summer and to prevent this they
must pass the appropriation bills before March
4th, next.
Sena tor Burleigh has had mass of corre-
spondence from Maine at this session of Con-
gress. People from all over the State are
writing him on wide variety of subjects. He
has received very many petitions in behalf OF
National Prohibition, but the contest over this
issue has been chiefly before the National
House. A vote was had there early in the
week. Efforts will probably be made to get
the Hobson resolution, one like it, before
the Senate this winter, but with small chances
of success. The junior Senator has had lot
of business before the Departments which he
has been clearing up fast as possible. The
holidays have given him chance to get lot
of Maine matters off his desk Senator Bur-
leigh Is one of the busiest minority members
of the "upper legislative branch"
Quite number of Maine veterans of the
Civil War are on the way to increased PEN
sions by enactment of Congress at the present
session. The Senate has just disposed of a
considerable batch of these private pension
bills and the House will consider them in due
season. The name of Rufus N. Brown, of
swanville, Maine, private of Company G, First
Maine Heavy Artillery, is on the list at $40
month. Dr. F. C. Small, of Belfast, wrote a
letter to Washington telling how Brown is to-
tally disabled by rheumatism
The name of John A. Patterson, of Belfast,
is also on the Senate list for pension of $40
month. He was in Company H, Twelfth
asst, wrote to Washington in Patterson's be-
half, telling how he is 66 years old and totally
disabled.
Jonathan s. Nickerson, of Searsport, Maine.
n years old and once of Company D. Nine-
teenth Maine Volunteers, is another OF the
Pine Tree State veterans down on the Senate
list for pension soon Of $40 month. He
was prisoner Of war in the hands of the enc
nv for little over three months. He has
many infirmities due largely to old age and war
service. The Senate Committee on pensions
was informed that Nickerson is now totally
unable to perform manual labor.
James S. Crockett, SO years old, of Frank
fort. Maine. is the subject Of the following re-
port from the Pensions Committee of the Sen
ate: s.In view of soldiers advanced age, his
faithful and honorable service of two years.
his poverty and total disability for manual la
Dor due to causes Of service origin. the COM
mittee recommend increase of pension to $50
Z month" He is drawing now pension OF
$24 month and it is said to be almost his sole