The Topeka state journal., 1908-12-09
Likely to Be Head of Committees
in House and Senate.
OTHERS ARE AHEAD.
But Their Special qualifications
Are Likely to Be Considered.
Mr.. Anthony Says Rules Not Can
non Should BeChanged.


control the Indian legislation of both
branches of the Sixty-first congress.
Senator Curtis may be chosen chair
man of the senate committee on In
dian affairs, and Congressman Phil
Pitt Campbell may be selected to pre-
side over the house committee.
! Should Mr.. Curtis be named as
1 chairman of the senate committee, it
would, of course, be departure from
] the custom of selecting chairmen by
! reason of their seniority of service
! in committee work. But a condition
will arise in the next congress which
would likely result in some changes
| of the regular cut and dried progra m
| of making up committees. In the first
place the senate will have a new pre-
siding officer
Mr.. Sherman, the vice president
elect, has been chairman of the house
committee on Indian affairs for many
years. Closely associated with him
was Mr.. Curtis, who in late years did
are as follows: Chairman of committee
work and was considered the author
1ty of the house on Indian legislation
generally. Considering the close
friendship existing between Mr.. Sher-
man and Mr.. Curtis. and his personal
knowledge of the latter's ability to
handle the intricate work of immense
annual appropriations and direct leg
islation on the floor of the senate the
Likelihood of the Kansan receiving
seems bright.
Mr.. Curtis at present holds sixth
place on the Indian committee Pre-
ced1ng him in rank are McCumber of
North Dakota, Gamble of South Da-
kota, Sutherland of Utah. Brandegee
of Connecticut, and LaFollette of Wis
consin. Senators McCumber and Gam
BILE are the oldest members of the
committee in point of service. They
would probably be satisfied with the
craftsmanship of other more desirable
committees, and make the way clear
for Mr. Curtis.
Other committee assignments in the
present congress held by Mr. Curtis
are as follows: Chairman of committee
on Indian depredations; second place
on committee of expenditures in the
navy department; sixth place on gen
eral pensions committee; sixth place
on Cuban relations; and fourth place
on committee on university of the
United States.
The chances for Phil Pitt Campbell
landing the Craftsmanship of the
house Indian committee are favorable.
Mr.. Campbell entered the house on
March 4, 1908, serving in the Fifty
eighth, Fifty-ninth and Sixtieth con-
crosses. Or, when he finishes the short
session of three months this winter
he will have served his district for a
period of six consecutive years in the
lower house. While Campbell is not
the ranking member for the chair
manship of Indian affairs. he is new
ertheless considered by his colleagues
one of the most available men on the
committee for the promotion.
Preceding him in line OF rank in
the committee is Congressman Thos.
L. Marshall of North Dakota Next
comes Congressman Charles L. Knapp
of New York, and Congressman E. H
Hinshaw of Nebraska, Mr. Campbell
following in fourth place. Both
Marshall and Knapp have been elm
mated in the race, the former will
be elected to the United States senate
and the latter refuses to be considered
the fight between Mr.. Hinshaw and
Mr.. Campbell
The status of Mr.. Hinshaw depends
largely upon what pledges he was
relative to the election of the next
speaker. 1t is understood he is under
pledge to oppose Cannon. If this be
proven to the satisfaction of Mr. Can
non, and he himself is reelected, the
Nebraskan would also be eliminated
in the contest and leave the appoint |
ment to fall to Mr.. Campbell.
The selection of a chairman of this
committee is not likely to be made ac- !
cording to rank as has been the Gus /
tom in past years. "Uncle joe Can
non has smashed all precedents in this !
respect, particularly in naming chair |
men for the present congress. AS an |
instance, he did not name Congress |
man Henry of Connecticut, who had |
been the ranking member of the ag-
ricultural committee for many years,
as chairman to succeed Chairman |
Cannon went down the |
list and selected a live. competent man
for the place-Charles F. Scott of
Kansas. The same rule applied in Sc
lecting Congressman James NJ. Miller
Of Kansas as chairman of the commit
tee on claims.
That time-worn old rule of the Uni
cd To faS fn nn off q |
new senator must be content to be seen
and not heard is in great danger of be-
ing put entirely out of business.
The rule in question has been receiv-
ing some hard jolts in recent years.
Senator LaFollette is the man who has
subjected it to the severest test. He
started in to stir things up when he
first came to the senate, and has had
more or less success.
Despite many rebuffs. things have
reached a point that when LaFoIIette
talks, most of his colleagues sit up and
take notice instead of retiring to the
the Wisconsin senator to force recog-
aition from the elder statesmen have
encouraged others of the newer mem
oers to activity.
Now, Elihu Root is coming to the SEN
ate, and so are other able new men,
who are we'll versed in governmental
affairs and qualified to take a promi-
nent part in things. For instance there |
are Joseph L. Bristow of Kansas Cum
Minis of Iowa, Jones of Washington, and
Crawford of South Dakota. It Will not
be an easy matter to keep these men
down. John Sharp Williams of Mis-
sissippi will soon leave the house and
go to the senate.
1t is hardly to be expected that Mr.
Williams with his wealth of know
ledge about legislation. will sit silent |
while men whose togas are older but
have no other superior claim to be al
lowed to talk, join freely in debate.
1t may be expected, on the whole.
that, in view of the quality of the new