The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-05-07
HON. CHAS. H. BURkE'S
RECORD in CONGRESS

" USSNClI lldu was hOiS ~
more f%orceful, in promoting legislation
in tho interests of the western people
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 i~ntelligently and
sets them forth SO succinctly that 40
n can misunderstood, and as a man
who commands the respect of his as
sociates, Mr.. Burke has few peers
from h west in congress.
One OF the most POI .,inent national
legislators, said of Mr.. Burke more
than a yea ago:
. regret that Mr.. Burke was retired
from congress-. Always attentive to.
his duties, of good judgment, indus
trious, independent, acting from con-
v,iction. and a thoroughly loyal repub-
lican, he advanced to the very front
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 judg-
ment was relied upon by his col.
leagues on both sides of the chamber"
indeed, Mr.. Burke is a man who
grows with acquaintance. Those who
have been most intimately associated
with him in vn2rc noct nrn hiS. hnSt
friends and warmest champions, be-
they have learned, as his asso-
clates In congress have learned, that
he is true to his convictions and has
the courage to maintain them.
The press representatives of South
esteem and confidence, the substance of
which are summed up in the following
from the Aberdeen American Zone OF
the lnsurgent papers of the state) i'm.
mediately following the speech deiiv-
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
talked-about railroad regulation. 1t
was concise, yet comprehensive, and
h only regret the American has is
that we are unable to reproduce it in
full. However, the closing paragraph
Wv IN VIC WIZ ouTHG SkdUOS,
which we believe is in ccord 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 it isshonest, because / believe It
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.
II not only gives that power, but It
goes further, and regulates many
abuses that are now being INDUCED In
by the railroads."
Mr.. Burke retired from congress at
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 he
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. MI. Burke succeeded
during his congressional career to a
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 a
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
talthough he ha not practiced law
since his election to congress) was Of
inestimabie 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 Mr.. Burke, his imprint being
upon substantially every measure re-
lotnneIlts that has passed congress |
within the last ten years. He is the
author Of various laws governing
these matters. n OF which, known
THE Burke Law" deals@with IN
dian affairs upon the basis of expert
and practical business methods.
Among the principal measures that
received Mr.. BurlSe's cordial supporf.
some cf the bills for which were ma.
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 q the department
of and labor. the provision
for surveying the reservation coun-
tries. In South Dakota west Of the Mis-
souri, river, the Improvement OF the
waterways tand particularly the inn
proyement Of b Missouri river, $50,