The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-01
REST is NEEDED.
Congressman Curtis Says There
VIII Be No Legislation
On the Currency Question at
This Session,
AND is GLAD OF 1T.
He Was Paired Against the
Teller Resolution.
AND Is GLAD OF TT.
Cuban and Hawaiian PROPOSE
lions Would Win i'm House.

Congressman Charles Curtis returned
to Washington this afternoon.
I'VE have discussed financial 1egisla-
ton in all Of it's varied phases" he said
to a reporter just before leaving, dur
ing the past year, and further consid-
Grafton of it would amount to nothing
more than agitation. Let us try what
we have for a while. We claim that
prosperity has arrived; let US see if it
will remain.
1.-The vote on the Teller resolution in
the senate a few days ago demonstrat-
ed the fact that no financial
legislation can be enacted. The
general feeling is that there
has already been plenty of talk on this
subject and there seems to be no use IN
filing the Congressional Record with a
lot of arguments which have been re-
peated time and again
The Teller resolution is not causing
anyone a loss of sleep. The vote upon
it further shows, as have already sug-
gested, that nothing can be accomp-
lished along that line"
While discussing the Teller resolution
Mr.. Curtis received a telegram an
nouncing that, in accordance with his
request he had been paired against
the resolution, although the message
did not state with whom. Mr. curtis
anticipated that he would be paired
with Mr.. Little of Arkansas. Proceed
ing with a further discussion Of con-
gressional affairs Mr.. Curtis said:
The arrival of the United States
battleShip Maine at Havana has caused
a feeling of safety among the Ameri-
cans in that city. There has been
feeling of uncertainty among them, but
now they have protection and place
of refuge at hand in case of an upris-
ms. .-.,,-. e--,...o- :,
the house of representatives, for CUBA,
and, I believe, if the question ShOulo
come up a resolution recognizing the
belIigerent rights of Cubans would pass
that body There is a feeling among
the Republicans that President McKin-
ley is better informed as to the real
situation in Cuba, and it is not likely
that anything will be done at this ses-
sion
Hawaiian annexation treaty would re-
ceiVe the necessary number of votes in
the senate, but the prospect is not so
bright now. [ have not canVaSSed the
matter in the house and really do not
know what would be the fate of a res
olutiOn of this character in that body
but it is my opinion that it would pass"
Mr. Curtis is opposed to the bill d.
viding the state of Kansas into two
districts. He thinks the bill will not
pass.
gress a bill permitting Judge Q. G. F'Os-
ter, because of his advanced years and
failing health, to retire. Mr.. Curtis
said:
I believe that one judge; one United
States marshal and his deputies; one
clerk and his deputies; one district at
tOrney and his deputies, can do all of
the work required in Kansas, and the
creation of a new district would mean
additional and useless expenditure
of public money"
Discussing the subject of civil service
Mr.. Curtis said: 80 far there has been
no proposition before the house to re-
peal or modify the present civil service
law, but something is expected during
the session.
There has been some talk by mem
bers on the subject, but as there was moth
ing pending, it was done for home con-
sumption Up to the time the last or
der was made by President Mckinley
the enforcement of the civil service was
a farce, men being reduced and dis
charged without cause. So far as I
am concerned I believe in an honest
civil service for such places as require
peculiar fitness, but the last order by
Mr.. Cleveland took in thousands of
places that never should have been in
Guided. I think there are at least 10000
places under the civil service that
should not be there, and I am in favor
of a material modification of that order.
The position of deputy internal revenue
collectors, who handle money, private
secretaries and many others should be
excluded. While / believe in the true
merit system, yet the warmest friends
of it must consent to a modification of
the order last made by Mr.. Cleveland.
or a congress will be elected which will
wipe it off the statute books"
Mr.. Curtis, discussing the general
condition of the country said:
"A number of appropriation bills have
passed the house, and the debates have
been on subjects in no wise connected
with them. Cuba, civil service, Ha-
wall, the mail service and general con-
ditions have all been thoroughly dis
cussed in this great arena Of talk