Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-05-07
HON. CHAS. H. BURkE'S
RECORD In CONGRESS


resented the state OF South Dakota
for a period of eight years.
Mr.. Burke's friends do not claim
for him that he is an orator in the
general acceptance of the term, but
they do assert with confidence, borne
out by the facts, that as worker,
as an effective public speaker, who
marshals his facts intelligently and
sets them forth so succinctly that no
one can misunderstood, and as man
who commands the respect of his as
sociates, Mr.. Burke has few peers
from the west in congress.
One of the most POI 1inent national
legislators, said OF Mr.. Burke more
than a year ago:
~ regret that Mr.. Burke was retired
from congress. Always attentive to
his duties, OF good judgment, indus
trious, independent, acting from con-
lican, he advanced to the very front
rank among the members. His retire
rnent was a loss to his state and to
the country. His sincerity and ability
grew upon the house, and his judg-
ment was relied upon by his col.
leagues on both sides Of the chamber"
Indeed, Mr.. Burke is man who
grows with acquaintance. Those who
have been most intimately associated
with him in years past are his best
friends and warmest champions, be-
cause they have learned as his asso-
ciates in congress have learned, that
he is true to his convictions and has
the courage TO maintain them.
The press representatives of South
~ l.
esteem and confidence, the substance OF
which are summed up in the following
from the Aberdeen American tone OF
the insurgent papers of the state) i'm
mediately following the speech deliy-
cred by Mr.. Burke upon the railroad
rate bill.
congressman Burke's speech in the
house last Friday was one OF the best
so far made In that body on the much
taIked-about railroad regulation. 1t
was concise, yet comprehensive, and
the only regret the American has is
that we are una BILE to reproduce il in
full. However, the closing paragraph
will show where Mr.. Burke stands,
which we believe is in accord with
the great majority of the people, not
only OF South Dakota, but of the coun.
try at large"
Mr.. Burke said, In concluding his
speech upon the rate bill:
Speaking for myself, ! want to say
that | am for this bill because be-
lieve IL is honest, because ! believe II
Is right, because ! believe that twenty
years ago congress thought they had
conveyed to the commission the power
that is sought to be given by this bill.
IL not only gives that power, but II
goes further, and regulates many
abuses that are now being INDUCED in
by the railroads."
Mr.. Burke retired from congress af
ter eight years service. on March 4,
1907. Before his election to congress
he had served with distinction in the
state legislature, where he was an
important factor in legislative af-
fairs For twenty years he has been
among the foremost citizens of the
Missouri valley section of the state,
and when he was elevated to congress
he at once began to impress those
with whom he came into contact with
his wonderful energy, his sincerity OF
purpose, and his commanding ability.
BY perservering industry, steadfast
devotion to duty. and careful study of
public affairs. Mr. Burke succeeded
during his congressional career to
place on the house committee on in
terstate and foreign commerce, to
which the railroad bill was referred.
In addition TO membership upon this
important committee. he was also
member of the public lands committee
and the committee on Indian affairs,
| both of which are important po-
sitions which afforded him an oppor-
tunity to display his talents and to
show his grasp of business matters.
| In this work his training as a lawyer
| although he has not practiced law
since his election to congressl was of
| inestimable service.
L Nj. man within tho prpcputr oanara.
| ton has been more effective in pro-
noting laws and amendments to exist
i ing statutes with regard to free homes
than has Mr.. Burke, his imprint being
upon substantially every measure re-
llating to homesteads and Indian al
| lotinents that has passed congress
within the last ten years. He is the
these matters. one OF which. known
| as THE Burke Law" deals with In
dian affairs upon the basis of expert
ence and practical business methods.
| Among the principal measures that
received Mr.. Burke's cordial support,
some OF the bills for which were ma
lterially strengthened upon the initia-
| tive OF Mr.. Burke during the discus
sions In the house. are the railroad
rate bill, the pure food act, the meat
| inspection law, the free homes law,
i the establishment of the department
OF commerce and labor. the provision
| for surveying the reservation coun-
| tries In South Dakota west OF the Mis-
souri, river, the Improvement of the
Waterways (and particularly the inn
movement OF the Missouri river, $780,
| 900 having been appropriated for
work at Pierre and Fort Pierce. and
all OF the numerous measures relating
| to Indian affairs.
1 In addition TO these laws OF gen.
| eral character. Mr.. Burke paid special
attention to propositions affecting the
/ Interests of the state. Thousands OF
acres OF. Indian lands we're opened to
/ settlement in South Dakota under the
provisions OF bills Of which he was
i the Joint or sole authoW new Indian
/ schools were constructed and old ones
| enlarged: he rendered valuable assist
nnce In passing the bill establishing
the Battle Mountain sanitarium at
Hot Springs. and he Is entitled TO his
share OF the cre0.l for the erection OF
public buildings In Aberdeen, Dead
wood. Pierre. Yankton. WATERFOWL,
Mitchell and Lead.
Another provision of special interest
| 70 the state was related to school and
powering the state to select such
lands from the reservation country
west OF the Missouri river. To Mr.
Burkes persistency. too. Is due the
fact that the school fund OF the state
gets the beneft OF the value Of sec
tons is and So within the reserya-
tions that were opened to settlement
/ through his effort.
Ii ali the years that the Dakotas
has been represented at Washington.
as q territory or Is states. there has