The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1908-05-08
HON. CHAS. Il. BURkE'S
RECORD IN CONGRESS

III SlC iulclCSlS VI luc WcotCih PSoPAS
in the lower branch of the American
congress than was Hon. Chas. H..
Burke during the latter part OF his
service at Washington, where he rep
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 a worker,
as an effective public speaker, who
marshals his facts intelligently and
sets them forth SO succinctly that no
can misunderstood, and as a man
who commands the respect of his as
sociates, Mr.. Burke has few peers
from the west in congress.
One of the most . o,,inent national
legislators, said of Mr.. Burke more
than a year ago.:
81 regret that Mr.. Burke was retired
from congress. Always attentive to
his duties, Of good Judgment, indus
trious, independent, acting from con-
viction and a thoroughly loyal repub-
tS~au, tC dOvduCCo W Ills vCJy 'SVN
rank among the members. His retire
ment was a loss to his state and to
the country. His sincerity and ability
grew upon the house, and his judy
ment was relied upon by his col.
leagues IN both sides Of the chamber"
Indeed, MI. Burke is a man who
grows with acquaintance. Those who
have been most intimately associated
with him in years past are his best
frinpGc and vyarnnaCt 1homninnS hp-
cause they have learned, as his asso-
ciates in congress have learned, that
he Is true to his convictions n a
the courage to maintain them.
The press representatives of South
Dakota have added to these marks OF
esteem and confidence, the substance of
which are summed up in the following
from the Aberdeen American lone OF
the insurgent papers OF the state) Inn
mediately following the speech deliy-
cred by Mr.. Burke upon the railroad
rate bill:
congressman surke's speech in the
house last Friday was OF the best
SO far made in that body on the much
ta~Iked-about railroad regulation. 1t
was concise, yet comprehensive, and
the only regret the American has is
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 Y
try at large"
Mr.. Burke said, in concluding his
speech uDon the rate bill:
that ! am Tor this bill because ! be.
Iieve it is honest, because ! believe it
is right, because I believe that twenty
years ago congress thought they had
conveyed to the commission the power
that is sought to be given by this bill.
1t not only gives that power, but It
goes further, and regulates many
abuses that are now being INDUCED in
by the railroads."
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 p~erservering industry, steadfast
devotion to duty, and careful study of
public affairs. MIR. Burke succeeded
during his congressional career to a
place on the house committee on in
terstate and foreign commerce, to
In addition to membership upon this
important committee. he was also a
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 congress) was Of
inestimable service.
No man within the present genera
ton has been more effective in pro-
noting laws and amendments to exist
ing statutes with regard to free homes
than has MI. Burke, his imprint being
upon substantially every measure re-
lating to homesteads and Indian al
within the last ten years. He is the
author of various laws governing
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 DllIS LOT WHICH were ud-
terially 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,
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 land particularly the i'm
nroyement of the Missouri river, $780,
900 having been appropriated for
work at Pierre and Fort Pierre). and
all of the numerous measures relating
Indian affairs.
In addition to these laws of q gen.
eral character. Mr.. Burke paid special
attention to propositions affecting the
interests of the state. Thousands OF
acres of Indian lands were opened to
In South Dakota under the
Of bills of which he was
the Joint or sole author; new Indian
schools were constructed and old ones
he renoerel valuable assist
ance in passing the bill establishing
the Battle Mountain sanitarium t
cS-.a--. ~~A M 10 untitled tn his