The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-17
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

Washington, Dec. 16.-Representativ
Curtis this week vacated his commit
tee room in the basement of the capitol
and will be found in the future in the
room of the committee on Indian
affairs. His appointment to a place on
ways and means necessitated the sur
render of the small craftsmanship which
he has held for the last six years, and,
of course, the committee room which
always has gone with it. For years Mr..
Curtis has occupied the only Kansas
committee room at the capitol. 1t was
a small cubby hole of a committee
room, but it was cosy and convenient,
and most every Kansan who has visit
ed Washington during the last six
years has awaited himself of the First
district congressman's hospitality. Mr..
Curtis very much regrets to be obliged
to give it up, but he wants the COM
nlittee room less than he wants his
place on ways and means, and SO Will
try to get along without it.
The dramatic editor of the Washing
ton Post has this to say of one Kansas
congressman: Representative Victor
Murdoch, of Kansas, exemplif1es the
widespread taste which obtains in the
west among the intelligent classes with
regard to literature and the stage. Few
men in congress can discuss the drama
and grand opera with more interest
than this Kansas editor. One of the
first inquiries after having got fairly
settled amid his new surroundings in
the national capital was regarding the
facilities for hearing 'Parsifal." When
that opera is given in New York Mr..
Murdoch will be one of the number of
Washingtonians to visit Gotham for
the express purpose of listening to
Wagner's masterpiece. He is some
thing of a musician, and knows his
Shakespeare. 1t is one of the relaxa-
tions of his life. He applies a keen in
sight and critical Judgment to his
analysis of plays and players as re-
lief from the strain of public duty, and
is discriminating in his taste for good
plays.
Captain P. H Coney of Topeka has
camped on the trail of Representative
Calderhead, who is a possible candidate
managers of Soldiers homes which may
be made vacant by the resignation OF
Colonel Sidney Cooke. Mr.. Coney has
started his war by writing to members
of the Kansas delegation, urging them
not to support Mr.. Calderhead in his
ambition He accuses the Fifth district
congressman of playing false with the
old soldiers. He says he countenanced
the administration of H. Clay Evans,
who. he alleges, was the enemy of the
old soldier. He says also that Mr.. Cald-
erhead cast the deciding vote as mem
Der of the house committee on invalid
pensions WQ0n the DILL DdChCa NY %AC
legislative committee of the G. A. r.
providing for a pension court Of appeals
failed of favorable communication He
has various other grievances. In Wash
ington Mr.. Calderhead is not under
stood to be an active candidate for the
place. He only wants it in case the
Kansas delegation thinks it cannot sue
coed with any of the other candidates.
Personally he is for Captain John Sea-
ton of Atchison, who is a. candidate.
Representative Bowersock says he Is
not worrying any about his campaign
for denomination in the Second district
He says he is here attending to his
duties as a congressman, and is not Civ
ing much attention to matters outside
of these duties. He thinks the people
will approve of that kind of a campaign.
Mr. Bowersock will go to Lawrence dur
ing the Christmas holidays, but denies
that he is going on a political mission
He says he will attend to some business
affairs, and that he is going exclusively
for that purpose. He will return In time
for the reassembling of congress after
the holiday recess.