Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-16
Spells of 1912 Victory
Being Arranged
With But Little
Difficulty
HaIIoweN Democrats Unable TO
Decide Capital lettings

Washington, D. c.. April Is Especial
democratic postmasters have been
coming thick and fast for Maine, OF
recent days, but not for the Kenrle-
bee valley Skowhegan, to be sure, is
to have Clarence Mantor, formerly of
North Arson, in a few days for its
new postmaster, and Augusta already
has Ex-Gov. PIaisted. But Hallowell
Democrats have not been able to set
tie their difficulties and Senator john
son is unwilling to put nominations
through unless there is some show of
unanimity among Democrats of the
Offices in question. At Skowhe-
gan George E. Durrell was removed,
for his four years term would not have
expired till February q, 1916, two
years from now. But in several cases
Republican encumbents are contin-
uing to serve for while after their
four year terms have expired.
The Waterville postmastership will
probably be disposed of during the
present session of Congress. Postmas-
ter p. S. Heald's term does not expire
till June 2. Senator Johnson will I'M
doubtedly be ready with a Democrat
for his place It is recognized as a
United States Senator's privilege to
name the postmaster for his own town.
when the Senator is of the same po-
1itical faith as the administration. But
this would be Senator Johnson's priv
ilege in any event. as long as the
Third district is represented by a Re-
publican in the House. The postoffice
patronage for the entire third district
is bestowed by the Senator Postmas-
ter K. X. Purington, at Fairfield, has
till April 3, 1916, but that is not a very
large office, the salary of the postmas-
ter at Fairfield being $500. Skowhegan
pays $2400; Waterville, $500; Hallowell.
$1,000; Gardiner, which was filled at
the last session of Congress, $500, and
Augusta, $4,000, 1t being the best post
office in the state in the matter of sal
airy, next to Portland, which pays
$500. Bingham. which was given a
Democratic postmaster also at the last
session of Congress. pays $500 year.
Norridgewock and North Anson each
pay 1920 a year. The terms Of post
masters George o. Carr and G. A. Ho-
svcy respectively expire Dec. IS, 1915,
and Jan. Is, 1916. Oakland, where
Dwight P. Mccartney has just been
installed as postmaster, pays salary
of s1700 a year.
Hotels and boarding houses of
Washington are tenanted to the roofs
Just now with New England people.
The high school students from that re-
gicn are coming by trainloads. Swarms
of them circulate daily through corri-
doris at the Capitol, and at the White
House, where twice a week or so,
President Wilson holds receptions The
Massachusetts students began arriving
first on these Easter vacations and
had things very much their own way
for a while. But after them came
many schools from New Hampshire
and just now Maine schools are very
much in evidence. These have come
from all over the state, from Houlton,
Fort Fairfield, Augusta, Bath, West
brook, Biddeford, Saco, Fairfield, San
ford and many other towns.
These New England excursions of
High school students at Easter have
been feature in Washington for
several years. There used to be con-
siderable difficulty getting to see the
President. Roosevelt felt he could not
spare the time necessary and Taft
adopted similar attitude but yielded
when sufficient Congressional pressure
was brought to bear. President Will
son Is naturally interested in school
students with whom so much of his life
work has been associated and takes
very kindly to the idea of meeting
these thousands of young visitors The
New Years reception, with all it's gold
lace and fornalities, does not appeal
to the President, who abolished it last
year and probably will hold no New
Years reception, while he resides in
the White House, but he is very ready
twice or thrice a week to greet a lot
of High school students, who are view
ing the town for the sake of informal
ton and as part of their High school
course, before graduating. These pres
idential receptions, which have become
so commonplace at Washington that
little attention is paid them are really
quite an Easter feature of routine pro-
ceedings at the White House
The delegations of students look for
ward with great eagerness to behold
Ing the Senate and House in session
and account themselves very fortunate
If they see either House when a mat
ter OF some moment is up The
schools from Peru, Dixfield and Mex
leo, Maine, departed from Washington
the other day in high glee because of
their experience in the Senate They
arrived when the Honorable Jim
Ham" Lewis, Of Chicago, was at the
height of his ford effort of trying to
straddle the canal tolls issue. He can
tivated the youngsters, who talked of
little else about their Washington visit.
Several Maine people have also been
coming here of late, after travelling
In the South. One of them is George
b. Keene, formerly connected with the
Augusta Savings Bank He is now
raising oranges in Florida. He has
been there but year but is enthu-
siastic about the prospects of Florida
Tor orange and grapefruit farming.
He spent several days in Washington
and visited old time friends, includ
Ing Senator Burleigh. Mr.. and Mrs.
Norman Bassett and Mrs. John f. Hill
have likewise been In Washington
within few days.
Harry E. Umphrey has been appoint
"a at the postoffice department as a
rural carrier on route / of Washburn,
Maine. The Department announces
effective