The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-13
GOSSIP FROM CAPITAL
Analysis of Committee Ap-
pointmentS OF Kansas
DAMPER ON IRRIGATION
RooseveIt's recommendations
discourage.

Washington, Dec. Pit is a common re-
mark in the Kansas colony here that it
has been many years since Kansas has
Jared SO well on committees in the house
Of representatives. To the constituent,
it may not always clearly appear why
so much stress is laid on the commit
tee assignments; and why what his men,
Der secures In this line is featured up
SO strongly. But in Washington, tho
Importance of a member IS gagged and
measured by the membership he has or
god cmuittees. His usefulness is often
determined, as well, by his committei
standing tn the house. Fer a member
usually seeks membership on the COM
mittee along which his particular am
billion runs: and hence his usefulness.
Kansas is the foremost state IN the
house of representatives, with a solid
delegation that is numerically strong.
Formerly this honor went to states Ike
Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.
which have a larger delegation than the
SuafIewer state. But last falls elections
were too much for the Republicans in
etates named, and each of them, save
Kansas, sent a Democrat from one or
Snlore districts. Kansas sent a solid dele
cation, gaining the Third district, long
Gn opposition one. 1t has eight Republic
can members, and in the house machin-
cry and organization, eight men VINO
will do business, count. Hence this is
point No. /, in enumerating the reasons
why Kansas was so successful at the
committee pie-counter when Uncle Joe"
Cannon, the new speaker, dealt out the
prizes.
Point No was the feet that OF ali
the states outside of Illinois, Kansas prob
ably had the honor of first getting into
the Joe Cannon camp when the speaker
ship contest came on more thans a year
ago. The rugged and picturesque western
er who now thunps the gayel so vigor-
ously with his left hand, and who is
engaged In warning with the senate over
the independence of the house. appealed
TO the Kansas members. Thos who had
served with him in the house were for
him; of course. They knew the stuff he
was made of, They thought he would
make a good speaker. The two new men,
Campbell of the Third and Murdoch Of
the Seventh, were also for him, as readi
ly as anyone else, for they had heard
all about him. So this Is another reason
why Uncle joe wanted to give Kan
sas something good In the way Of COM
mittee assignments.
The best house assignment that Kan
sas has is Curtis place on ways and
means 1t Is the place Mr.. Long held
for two congresses, and Of course is the
best thing In the committee line, IN the
house. Curtis also holds hts ranking
membership, or second place, on Indian
affairs. In view Of his excellent luck
however, In securing ways and means.
he lost his small Craftsmanship, that OF
the committee on expenditures in the
department of the interior. which, though
did not count for much save that il
gave him committeeman at the capitol.
Judge Calderhead maintained his place
k,h banking and currency, being third.
de also remains on another useful COM
nlittee-snvalid pensions, being fourth. Be-
sides this. he secures a small chair
neutrality-suspicious. in the department
of iustice-which gives him a handsome
little committee room In the capitol build
Ing.
Mr.. Scott the repTesentatiye-at-iar
fs fifth on Agriculture; and third on
mines and mining: two good committees.
He was on both I'm the last congress.
Mr. Miller from the Fourth. has ex-
cenent assignments. He is third on pub
lie lands: ranking member. or second
place. on elections Mo-; and sixth on
claims All these particularly the first
i'll
Mr.. Reeder OF the Sixth is ranking
member on irrigation; and therefore in
line for Craftsmanship. He also is chair
man of mileage. which is Of importance
10 members about the beginning OF
session when the mileage is computed
and allowed. Mr. Reeder has hand
som committee room.
Mr. Bowersock gains membership on a
good committee-industrial arts and ex-
positions He is fifth member on this
committee. which has much to do
with the Louisiana Purchase exposition
ut st. Louis next year. Mr.. Roosevelt
also Is fourth on reforms in the civil
service and ranking member OF the COM
mittee on the alcoholis liquor traffic.
But considering the fact that they are
young and new members Of the house.
perhaps none OF the Kansas members aid
better than either Mt Murdoch or Mr..
Campbell. Mr. Murdoch. ever since his
election has had an ambition TO become
member of the committee on post Office
and post roads, and his ambition has been
gratified. thanks to Uncle Joe" Cannon |
This is perhaps the very best OF the
second-rate committees. aad all the more
important in view OF the possibility OF
legislation and research growing out of
the late postal frauds.
Mr. Campbell desired 4 place on in !
terstate and foreign commerce. This could
not ne given him; but he secured two
very fine assignments-d.stIict OF Column
bia, and pensions Mr.. Campbell is ahun- ]
dainty satisfied. and thinks speaker Can !
non Is very fine man.
The Kansans are prepared TO do good i
committee work this session. and IL re- 4
tanned in congress. viii gradually work Z
their way to%ard excellent chairman
ships-something the state has not had 4
In tho house OF representatives since the 1
Fifty-first congress.
in this connection. it is Of interest TO 1
note what Kansans did have in the Ftft- /
first congress. That was 1881. +. y. /
Morril. afterward governor of Kansas, .
was chairman OF invalid pensions: and .
introduced and fathered the bill named /
FOR him. and now known rs the act OF 4
1880 Bishop W. Perkins. later United /
States senator. was chairman CT Indian I
affairs. Thomas Ryan was on appro-
<rrt@sso,c. aud vas later si,C,readeI on i