The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-31
REPRESENTATIVE ovERsTREET.

Representative Overstreet has left for
New York to take up the duties of secre-
tary Of the Republican congressional COM
mittee for a third time. When he was first
selected he was not so well known in
Washington and to his party as he now is
but he has since developed a capacity for
organization which makes his services ex-
ceedingly desirable The work Of the rep
resentative, which now continues through
out the term without break, will not be In
terrupted by his being temporarily in New
York. Years ago the congressman had few
duties outside Of legislation TO which to
attend He might be consulted about
postoffice and a few other matters, but he
| did not have one call upon his time where
the congressman of to-day has scores OF
requests and demands from constituents.
To the duties Of legislation have been add
ed those of a congressional districts bust
ness agent in Washington. Many causes
have contributed to make the senator or
representative the attorney Of a consttu-
ency. The civil war, which placed tens of
| thousands of names on the pension roll. Is
/
of the congressman, because he is able TO
get information regarding the status Of
claims and to hasten. in many cases, the
issue of certificates. Again, the increased
postal service represented by an expendi-
ture of S44,643.9OO twenty years ago, and
calling for s13S, 600 900 during the next fiscal
year. has brought much work TO the con-
| - he Od3a Of
the department. In district like this, the
actual center Of developing rural delivery
service, the work which the representative
is called to do in its organization is very
large and would yield a large income if it
was paid for as is private service. At the
present time 200 rural route carriers are
paid through the Indianapolis postoffice.
With the establishment of these routes
all the representatives in the vicinity have
had a part, but, because of location, the
work which has fallen to Mr.. Over
street has been very large. The growth of
indianapolis and the increasing demands
for postal service, clerks and carriers have
added to the duties of the representative.
None of these duties will be neglected
while Mr.. Overstreet is temporarily absent;
for, first of all, he is prompt and method
ical business man, who sees that every re-
quest made upon him is complied with If
II is within the range of possibility. 1t can
be added that there is no representative
more faithful in the discharge of the Oner-
Gus duties which fall to congressman than
is Mr.. Overstreet, and it can be further said
that few men in the House have more in
| fuence among the members. Because OF
his persistent and well-timed efforts pub
lie building is under construction in this
city. Others assisted, but the carrying OF
the appropriation through the House was
the work of Mr.. Overstreet The fact that
he had no opponent in an open primary
election proves that Mr. Overstreet has the
confidence of the Republican party in this
city. The large portion of the Democratic
party which judges a man upon his mer
its believes that Mr.. Overstreet is a man OF
integrity and ability, DESTROYS of serving al
his constituents, regardless of party. From
the business point of view he is a useful
man to have in Congress.