The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-14
Kansas Stands Well in Legisla-
tive Circles.
Delegations Are Judged by the
Committee Assignments.
CURTIs' GOOD PLACES.
Scott, Calderhead and Miller
Also Stand Well.
State Has Reached the Stage
Where 1t Counts.

Washington. March 1O.-Members Of
congress are judged in official circles
in Washington by their committee as
signments. In this respect, the kan
sas delegation has nothing Of which
80 complain.
Oftentimes. in the latter part of
session of congress. particularly, legis-
lation is really made in conference I'm
portaut measures are passed by both
houses, dissimilar as to provisions in
many essential facts. The usual plan
IS for the chairman, the ranking mem
Der, and the ranking minority mem
Der Of the committee having charge OF
the bill ia question, to be selected by
each house, to act jointly as managers
in conference. This makes a position
as ranking member on a committee
very desira BILE, and. of course, only sur
passed by the position Of chairman
In case OF disagreement in confer
ence. each set Of managers reports to
Its respective house. Sometimes the
managers are sent back to conference,
with instruction by each house to in
sist upon its provisions or amendm tents.
In case, however, Of a ue-up, very fire.
quentiy the presiding officer in each
house goes down the line of committee
members, taking the highest pair from
the majority, and the next highest man
on the minority side Of the committee
In number of conferences that will
likely occur in congress in the next
month or two, Kansans will take part.
FOR instance, conference is now on
between the two houses in respect Of
the act to conclude the affairs of the
Five Civilized Tribes of Indians in IN
dian Territory. The managers for the
mouse OF TepreSen 1atiVes are Chairman
Sherman of the house indian commit
tee, Charles Curtis Of Kansas. the rank
ing Republican member, and John H.
Stephens of Texas. ranking Democratic
member of the committee There will
also undoubtedly be a conference over
the Indian appropriation bill, and pos
sibly other measures from that com
mittee. and Charles Curtis will be a
member of it or them
Charles F. Scott is No. 4 on the com
mittee on agriculture, and member
OF the subcommittee for the past three
years that has drawn up the appropria-
ton Dill. In case of a conference be-
tween the two houses, it is not at all
unlikely that the Kansas mem ber-at-
large viii be a cOnferee.
James NJ Miller is chairman Of the
house committee on claims. q most i'm
pSTtant and Woodworking committee.
There was claims day in the house
Of representatives the other dav. and
Mr. Miller steered the bill through the
house. Now there will likely be trouble
over this and other measures of claims
IN the closing days of this session. and
- 80 W.T. AAAAAACA Will DC IN conference
Mr.. Calderheadiss No. g on the com
mlttee on Invalid pensions There are
very frequently controversies between
house and senate over some pension bill
carrying a large amount of pension. or
some adjustment or extension of the
pension laws. Mr.. Calderhead has
heretofore acted as a cOnferee, and viii
probably do so in this session.
Mr. Reeder is ranking Republican
MEMBER or the committee on irr{ga-
ton. So far, neither the house nor sen
ate committee on this subject has done
much this session, but something might
arise to bring on a controversy be-
tween the two houses on some cues
zion in this connection, and If So Mr.
Reeder would sit as conferee and
help iron out the differences
Represen tative Campbell is a young
member in service and years: but he
has risen fast on the two committees
OF which he is a member: District of
Colum bia. aid pensions He is No. 8
on the former, and No on the latter
lie is chairman of the subcommittee
on ways and means Of the District com
mltUee; and while he probably viii not
be in conference as a house manager
ne has important duties in connection
with the committee.
MI Murdoch has but one committee
poEtomce and pOstroads. but in the
hearings held in regard to fnvestira
tons OF matl-carrying contracts. Mr.
Murdoch has taken an active part
showing MS grasp OF the question and
his Capa bility
Mr. Bowersock is unfortunate in his
committee assignments. and ALWAYS has
been since he entered congress nearly
eight years ago. His committees are.
Alcoholic liquor traffic: coinage
weights and measures; Industrial arts
and exposiuons; and reform IN the civil
service None Of these is very import
ant though the committee on indus
trial arts and expeditions has charge Of
the Dill to arrange for the coming
jamestown exposition in Virginia
which VIII commemorate, next vear
the original settlement in this country
MI Curtis probably has the best as
slgnments Of any Kansan. because his
mem ershtp on the great committee of
ways and means is generally regarded
as being equal to any Craftsmanship in
Lhe house, save appropriations. Put
Mr Curtis Is the dean OF the Kansas
delegation. for that matter.
Mr- Miller and Mr. Cafderhead viii
pun him a close second; and M
Campbell has done well for a new
member,
So Kansas has reached that STAGE
where 1t counts in the legislation Of
congress