The Republican journal., 1916-04-13
Washington Whisperings.

WASHINGTON, D. c., April 10, 1916 These
are lively days in Maine activity at Washing
ton. Many Maine travellers have been passing
this way. some being on the way home from
the South. The more numerous Maine So
journers here of late, however, have been
High school students, generally accompanied
by friends from their home towns This is al
ways gala period of late March ana early
April. Thousands of the High school students
throughout New England come here for OBJ
servation and study during few days As
the government machinery is just now running
in high gear, interest in visit to the capital
city is intensified.
Practically all Maine visitors come to Sena-
tor Burieigh's offices, where they are made
welcome. The Senator always tries to make
the visits of the High school students here as
pleasant as possible, He takes care to pro-
vide them with cards to the galleries of the
Senate and, either in person or through his
secretary, makes sure that they have the best
possible opportunities for seeing and hearing
during their stay in the city. He has been &C
tive this year in obtaining for the visiting
students chance to meet President Wilson,
for the chief point with people of all ages
coming to Washington is generally TO have a
chance to shake hands with the President,
whatever political party he represents. Presi-
dent Wilson has been courteous in granting
all requests of this character Senator Bur.
leigh has made.
Maine Republicans in Congress were natur-
ally much interested in the recent State con-
vention at Portland, but felt they could not
properly spare time from their duties here to
be present. While these Republicans are
members of the minority party and conse-
quently charged less with responsibility for
Congressional enactments. they are all busy
and have work of some moment to perform
Republicans in this Congress are having more
influence than usually falls to a minority
party, and Maine Republicans in Senate and
House are within this category. The latter
have felt that they could more properly be at
tending to their duties at this critical stage of
the session than Fastening home to particle
pate in political proceedings. Representative
Peters. of the Third District, went to Maine
just before the State convention for a flying
visit, but he hurried back to Washington be-
fore the convention assembled He expressed
his qualification over being chosen as one of
the delegates to the Chicago convention and is
keeping in touch with developments regarding
the presidential nomination. Being in Wash
ington where so much transpires in that con-
nection. Mr.. Peters probably keep his fell
low delegates from Maine we'll informed as to
what is going on
Senator Burleigh has been showing active
interest in deliberations over the bill for in
creasing the regular army. He will support
the Chamberlain measure, which the Senate
has been debating, although he would have
preferred that Congress, in both its branches,
acted finally weeks ago and without so much
delay. While not member of the Military
Affairs committee, the Maine Senator has fol-
lowed closely committee developments over
the bill. Mr.. Weeks, the New England men,
Der OF that committee, is his warm personal
friend and the two have advised together con-
slderably over the measure. Impatient as
Senator Burleigh has been at the prolonged
debating, he has watched it point by point
al" ieuaiheu Ill HIS seat Jay aIter Gay or at
some near by place where he could cast his
vote on theivarious amendments and likewise,
when the time came, on the final passage of
the bill. He has been on guard SO diligently in
this respect that some days he has had his
mail brought to the Senate chamber to avoid
missing important features of the situation.
| Being strict party man. Senator Burleigh
has cooperated with the minority leader, Sem