The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-10-16
BURkE's RECORD
"A Splendid Record Has Been Made
by the Congressman During His
Period At Washington.

w fOk1O 1IuE111k his .
Period 1t Washington. II
Washington, Oct. 1.-THE three poli- {
cal leaders Of the republican party ]
n house OF representatives have
sstihed In warm words Of praise and
riendshtp to the worth and ability
Charles H. Burke Of South Dakota
8 a member OF the lower branch of
national Legislature. When Mr..
retired from the house on
darch 4. 1907. after a service ii that
,ody of eight years. covering a por-
Of the Spanish wal period and a
in the nations history marked
~ great constructive legislation. he
look with him to private life the good
wishes OF scores Of his colleagues on
Doth sides of the chamber, and among
republicans he hope vas generally |
expressed that in the TURF Of the
wheel OF fortune the hustling member
from South Dakota would be return
ed to the scene of his former activi-
Ever alert and active in behalf of
his constituents, loyal to his party in
all circumstances, a strong advocate
and supporter of policies laid down
and enforced by President Roosevelt,
MIR. Burke had risen to a position of
power and influence In national at
fairs when he was defeated for re-
nomination by a combination of cir
cumstances with which republicans of
South Dakota are familiar.
BY ~persevering industry, steadfast
devotion to duty, and careful study Of
public affairs Mr.. Burke succeeded
during his career In congress to a
place on the house committee on in
terstate M foreign commerce, of
which Representative Hepburn of
Iowa is chairman. and OF which
Representative Sherman of New York
n other leaders are members. The
commerce committee reported to the
house the Hepburn railroad rate bill
and,the pure food bill. both Of which
We're enacted into law. In the fifty
sixth congress MI. Burke vas a men,
Der OF the house committee on public
\ lands. He later became a member of
the committee on Indian affairs, and
with his place on the commerce
committee constituted his house as
signments when he quit at the expira-
ton Of the f1fty-ninth congress-. In
addition Mr.. Burke was selected by
the republican congressional commit
tee as the chairman Of the executive
committee Of that organization. He
served in that important post in the
campaign Of 1906 that resulted in the
election Of a republican house in the
sixtieth congress
MT. Burke was thus highly honored
by the legislative body to which he
was elected by the people OF South
Dakota, and by his party associates
who We're charged with the duty of
conducting the congressional political
campaign.
What the Leaders Think,
Here Is what Speaker Cannon had
to say about Representative Burke
n his work In congress-: "Repre-
sentative Burke's retirement Is to be
regretted. He was an intelligent,
painstaking legislator. exercising a
great deal of influence In the con
s~ideratton of measures of Western In
terest, and on bills affecting the public
welfare. He displayed marked ability
as aslawmaker. and had he been con.
tinued In congress would have grown
wonderfully In usefulness and in
f1uence. / regret exceedingly that he
is not a member of the sixtieth con-
gress."
Serene p. Payne of New York.
chairman Of the committee on ways
and means. and republican leader on
the floor of the house, said: 81 regret
that Nj. Burke was retired from CON
gress. Always attentive to his duties,
OF good Judgment, Industrious, inde3
pendent, acting from conviction and a
thoroughly loyal republican, he adj
vanced to the very front rank among
the members. His retirement was a
loss to his state and to the country
His sincerity and ability grew upon
the house, and his judgment was re-
He'd upon by his colleagues on both
sides ofAthe chamber"
IT was my good fortune to know
Mr Burke somewhat intimately DUR
ing several years and to observe him
as q man and in his character
as q legislator said John Dalzell of
Pennsylvania, perhaps the most Wig
orous, the most aggressive and the
most feared debater In either house,
as we'll as the speakers representative
on the powerful committee on rules
His failure to return to this congress
is q distinct loss to the public service.
he was an exceedingly Industrious
membe In looking GU for the in
terests of his constituents. At the
same time he was a diligent and in
telligent student Of national affairs,
and q potent force in general legisla-
ton. At all times a courteous gentle
man. modest, yet forceful, under all
circumstances he preserved q uni
formity Of temper and demeanor that
has endeared him to all his friends,
and they are numerous. I shall hope
to welcome Mr.. Burke back again to
congress-. Al.
How Burke Voted.
Here : some Of the bills, all of
them of national and state impor-
lance. for which Representative
Burke voted: The free homes law,
the pure food act. the Hepburn rail-
road law. the meat inspection act, the
naturalization law. All OF them were
proposed or advocated by President
sRoosevolt.