The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-11-12
KANSAS I'M CoNGREss.

/ Reports come from Washington to
the effect that Congressman Phil
Campbell stands a good chance of be-
| ing named chairman of the committee
in the house of representatives on In
dian affairs, the Craftsmanship of
which will become vacant because of
the retirement from the house of
James S. Sherman through his eleva-
ton to the vice presidency.
This is only another indication and
exceedingly strong emphasis of the
fact that If state is to play any ma
terfal part at all in the really irnpor-
tant deliberations of congress and the
management of the federal govern
ment it must do just as Kansas has
been doing of late-return time and
time again the same congressman who
have shown themselves to be honest
and able. 1t is only through con-
tinued service in the national legisla-
tive halls and because of the expert
fence in governmental affairs that is
gained by such service that mem
bers of the house of representatives
and of the senate. as we'll, become
fitted for assignment ron- Important
committees and eventually the chair
manships of these committees. And
in time such service as this, if it is
worthy, leads up to a speakership.
It is for this reason that some of
the smaller states in the eastern sec
ton of the country have always played
such important roles in the leader
ship of both branches of the nations
legislature, Seemingly Kansas has
learned this lesson, a good lesson, in
deed, if the state is to make it's voice
felt in the government of the country
and also to have its own interests best
conserved. For as soon as a number
of representatives in congress from
one state become it's influential mem
bers they are better able to secure
such national legislation as is ever
needed in a variety of ways for the
welfare of their state and its people.
Already most of the Kansas con-
gressmen, and ismply because they have
been returned to congress with regu-
larity and have had a chance to show
their abilities, have enviable commit
tee assignments and chairmanships.
Mr.. Scott is chairman of the commit
tee on agriculture, a most important
one. Mr.. Reeder is chairman of the
committee on irrigation of arid lands,
which has also of late, assumed a
large Importance. Mr.. Miller is chair
man of the committee on claims. Mr..
sCalderhead is a member of the most
important committee of the house,
that of ways and means. and which
will take the initiative in all the mat
ters concerning tariff revision. Mr..
Murdoch is a member of the commit
tee on postof1ces and post roads, an
other committee of consequence. Mr..
Madison is on the committee on in
sular affairs and also on the commit
tee on labor and Mr.. Anthony is on
the committee on military affairs
Likely there are few congressional
representations. from other, states of
the size of Kansas which already has
such excellent assignments on such
essential committees. And the longer
Kansas keeps her. old congressman on
the firing line the, more important
parts they will play in the administra-
ton of the affairs. of the house of
representatives.. They will give Kansas
a voice in the control of the govern
ment that will be needed.