Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-03-06

BEG JOURNAL, SATURDAY,
ly. He was used to winning veraicts
He throve on successful and spectacular
accomplishment. The inevitable defeats
before a jury that lawyer suffers who
has a corporation for a client depressed
him. He was unused to the postpone
ment Of success.
The political activities OF Mr.. Goodwin
extended internationally over. his whole
career. He was elected from Skoxhegan
q representative in the legislature as
early as 1885, when &c years old, having
previously served on the local school
board. He was appointed -posfmaster of
Skowhegan in 1892. He attended as a
delegate the Republican national con-
vention at Cincinnati for the purpose of
supporting the nomination Of his old pa
iron, Thomas B. Reed, tor the presi-
dency. He was elected to the State SEN
ate in 1902 and again in 1904, In the latter
session being chosen president of the
senate after close contest. He was
chairman of the Republican State con-
venticn at Portland in 1908. In 1910 the
third district of Maine elected a Demo-
crat to Congress-the first time since 1855.
with the exception OF the Greenbacker.
Murch, in 1878 In 1912, Mr.. Goodwin en-
tered the field as Republican candidate
for Congress to oppose the Democratic
incumbent, who was also popular and
able Skowhegan man, the Hon. Samuel
w Gould. As a candidate for the norni-
nation he was not anopposed. A very
spirited but friendly contest followed, in
which Mr.. Goodwin was nominated and
subsequently elected over his fellow
townsman and came to Washington at
the opening of the first session of the
Sixty-third Congress, in the spring OF
1913
At that time the hand Of death had
gripped him. but without his knowledge.
After a brief service here of less than
two months he returned to Maine with
his devoted wife and died On the 18th Of
May, 1918 His untimely death ended his
larger career almost before it began.
l feel safe in saying that had he lived
he would have represented the third
Maine district for many years and with
ability and strength approaching her
best traditions, than which nothing more
can be said.
Mr.. Guernsey Of Maine.
Mr.. Guernsey: Mr.. Speaker, 1 come
here today to pay a few words of re-
spect to the memory of personal
friend and colleague in this House, the
late Hon Forrest Goodwin. whose death
on the 2Sth day of May, 1913. was un-
timely and almost tragic. He had bare
~ occupied his seat in the National
Congress 80 days when he was called
from this life.
Forrest Goodwin was a prominent
citizen of Maine, lawyer, and legisla-
tor. He rose to high position among his
fellow citizens from humble circum-
stances through his own industry and
force of character. He was a man Of
fine qualities, self-reliant, purposeful,
ar-sighted, and energetic. Had he liv-
ed he undoubtedly would have taken a
high place in the councils of the Ma
ton 1t is sad to consider that he was
cut off in the prime of life, while still
a comparatively young man, but he had
lived long enough to prove his quality
as a man, and within the period accom-
plished many times that which the av-
erage man can hope to accomplish in
a life of full length.
Early in life, with untiring energy
and industry, he laid the foundation Of
his future career of usefulness by edu-
eating himself. It is related that after
graduating from the high school of his
native town of SkoWhegan. Me, he i'm
mediateiy set to work to secure funds
to enable him to go through college,
and with less than $40 as capital
bought out the ice business of. the
town, and during the following sum-
mer, by working night and day. saved
81 ,000 demonstrating at once his in
dustrious nature and capacity as a
business man.
He went to Colby College, where he
took front rank as a student. He took
prizes and scholastic honors, was the
editor of the college paper and maya
zine, and chosen by his class as class
orator and graduated with high hon
ors. Not only was he in the front rank
as student in his college days, but he
was a great athlete. He was a star
baseball player. His fame as q pitcher
was state wide, and at the end of his
college course, with barely enough
funds left to purchase a ticket to the
city Of Bangor. where he went to sign
as a professional baseball player; and
in the capacity Of pitcher played on
this team during the season in Maine
and also in Massachusetts,.
His townsmen took great pride and
had great confidence in him as young
man and sent him as their representa-
tive to the legislature at a very early
age. At the same time he entered a
law Office in Skowhegan to study law,
and two years later in 1889. he was ad-
mitted to the bar. Following ssad-
mission he took law course in the
law school of Boston University, where
it is said he completed three-year
course in one year. demonstrating what
a brilliant intellect Forrest Goodwin
possessed.
He was appointed parliamentary
clerk to Speaker Reed in the National
House of Representatives and for two
years acted in that capacity. During
the following four years he was post
master Of his town.
These varied positions disclosed the
wide experience that he acquired while
still a very young man.
Political honors seemed to crowd up
on him In 1903 he was elected to the