Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-10-23
GEORGE w. NORTON
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!
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needed no stimulus to expound his
i beliefs with respect to party policies
and the beneficial results of prohi-
bition. So. too. was he versed in the
| lore of town, the State and the his
tory of the Nation. He was never at
a loss for the material, apropos of
editorial expression, as comment on
| current events of magnitude.
As Newspaperman
A newspaper man by profession,
| he was a specialist in the editorial
field a reporter always. AS time
| wore on he acquired the system that
is adopted eventually by veteran
newspaper men, of discarding the
note books and notes, memorizing the
story that comes from a variety of
sources. Its reproduction from recol-
lection is perfection of the art of
reporting and Mr.. Norton was a
past master in this art.
He was never content to confine
! his abilities to editorial writing but
! took peculiar delight in analytical,
descriptive and semi Humorous writ
ing to any sort of a story that ex-
pounded both news value and allow
ed free play. to imaginative and an
alytical powers. 1t can truly be said
| that he welded trenchent and a
versatile pen though the pen and
pencil stubs are practically obsolete
! in the profession and typewriting
| machines are welcome substitutes.
! His natural inclinations were
=, toward argumentative and per-
! suasive discourse. He could use
shorter and uglier terms if occasion
demanded but he wrote to educate,
convert and win rather than to cen
| sure, condemn or denounce The path
| of the editor in the political field is
| not much bordered with sweet scent
ed flowers and attractive hedges;
more often it is narrow. devious.
rocky and hilly, a case of give and
take with rival travellers. He did not
! dodge the issues or try to befog
them. Mr.. Norton was a Republican
| by convictions as well as by train
| ing and association, he saw the best
good in the party with which he was
affiliated and he devoted a life time
to cause that appealed to him most
strongly.
| Somewhat late in life he took up
public speaking in limited way with
the facility or oral expression like
that he adopted in writing. Oppor-
tunity was lacking for him to cult
/, waite the art when he was in the prime
of life as newspaper work is exact
ing as to time and vitality but those
who heard him. found he was an apt
speaker.
National Delegate 49,
Mr.. Norton attended every State
convention of all the parties as a
writer or delegate or both for many
years. He was a delegate at large
from Maine in 1900--the Mckinley
Roosevelt ticket being placed in the
field, and in 1908 wrote graphic
descriptions of the scenes therein de-
picted. Again in 1916 he was presen,
and was proxy for Sena tor Frederick
Hale, member Of the National COM
mitee from Maine. He was secretary
and manager of the No-License or.
ganization in the resubmission cam
in no small degree for the success OF
a memorable fight to retain constitu-
tional prohibition of the liquor traf.
fic in Maine.
| His first ambition to hold political
Office came in 1915 when he made a
successful canvass of the Cumberland
county delegation in the Legislature
for a seat in Gov. Carl E. Milliken's
Council. He was reelected in 1915
and in those four years had been a
faithful supporter of the States CHIEF
executive, assigned to difficult and
perplexing duties during and since the
for advice and assistance encumbent
upon one who is clothed with the re-
/ sponsibilities Of councillor
Mr.. Norton was long a member OF
the Portland club, had served in va
rious capacities, as president, on the
board Of governors, ect. He was de.
voted to bridge and auction as win.
ter pastimes at the club, and as a
member of the Portland Country clut
acquired great fondness for golf
both at Thornton Heights and Fal.
mouth Foreside, the present location
OF the club. He was an ardent fish.
erman and hunter. planning at leas,
two trips to the woods annually, ir
spring and fall. He kept this up al
long as his health would permit and
even until he was unable to take the
long tramps alongside brook or in.
to the woods in quest of big game.
He was member Of Highland
Lodge, K. of P. of Bridgton, and OF
Temple Lodge and Royal Arch Chap
ter. Masons. Of Westbrook.
Mr.. Norton's health has been in de.
cline half dozen years. He would
seem to be much improved at times
and would respond to rest and treat.
ment by specialists but there was nc
permanent Improvement and he has
labored under the handicap IT increas.
ing physical infirmities for months.
Dean in the Office
In this Office he has been Mr. Nor.
ton" to hundreds Of employees he be-
ing the dean Of the establishment
at the time Of his death never ia.
miliarized br nickname nor dignifiet
by title. This was as he woult
have it. Sufficient dignity and IA
miliarity was combined in, the sim,
pie couplet. Mr.. Norton. To him al
went for counsel and advice in tn,
carly days and even with the more
elaborate system Of q h,g daily II
these times, he was invaluable fol
hts experience and the well grounded
policies which pertain to the business
! a NJ ha md nj Z