The Topeka state journal., 1911-08-12

ger in such movement and the addi-
tional expense which Wcul1 thus be
nate, introduced a bill to prevent the
advance Oh. R. 10665). AS a result
of the fight thus inaugurated. former
prices were restored ard an agree
ment not to increase prices again If
the bill was not passed, was made.
He took charge of the resolution
presenting the ingalls, statue to the
government and locating it in Statuary
hall. In this congress he supported
the Elkins bill, which sought to pre-
vent rebates and DETERMINATIONS by
railroads. Later he supported the
Esch-TOwnsend railroad bill in the
house.
In the Fifty ninth congress he. serv-
ed on eight conference committees, and
made sixteen reports. He was acting
Republican whip of the house during
| the consideration of the Hepburn bill
| the questions involved ir. the bill, and
as acting whip did much toward mar
; shaling the forces of the house to en-
able a majority to pass the rule which
led to the final consideration of the
bill.
He was also acting whip when the
statehood bills for Oklahoma, New
Mexico and Arizona were being con-
sidered, and did much toward secur-
ing final vote upon them.
In the Senate.
The reception given Mr.. Curtis by
| his associates in the house of repre-
sentatives upon his rturn to Washing
ton after his election to the senate was
emphatic evidence of his high standing
in that body where he he'd served for
fourteen years. The following, taken
from the Washington Post, January
! 81, 1907, tells the story:
''Kansan Gets Ovation.
I
! ed by colleagues in the house.
AN unusual tribute was paid to
Senator elect Curtis of Kansas on the
! floor of the house of representatives
yesterday afternoon, testifying to the
general popularity in which he is held
and the pleasure felt at his recent sue
cess He has been in Kansas since
before the holiday recess, returning to
Washington yesterday. He came into
I the hall while Mr.. Main of Illinois
was speaking to point of order on an
item in the agriculture appropriation
bill.
LAS Mr.. Curtis entered a vigorous
handclapping was begun. and mem
bers crowded about him tc tender their
congratulations. business being sus-
pended meanwhile. When order had
been restored and Mr.. Curtis had re-
tired to the cloak room Mr.. Mann
said the applause was n deserved con-
graduation to the distinguished mem
Der, whom we all regret to lose, but
who will add value to the other end
of the capitol
In the Sixtieth congress Mr.. Curtis
entered the senate, as a new member,
but was named on six conference COM
mittees, and made fourteen reports.
He took his seat in the senate on
the 29th day of January, 1907, and
led the fight against the report of the
Senate Indian committee, making GER
k-,s-, -
priation bill, which amendments
changed the policy of the department
in the management of Indian affairs
and was in conflict with the policy of
the Roosevelt administration pertain
ing to such matters. Mr- Curtis sus-
tanned the position taken by the house
and in which the senate sustained him
by a vote of 81 to % (see Congression-
al Record, page 2414, February Z,
19oO-
Defeated Owen Amendment.
He defeated the Owen amendment,
which was intended to take the prop
erty of the Indians of eastern Okla
homa out of the jurisdiction of the
department of the interior and the In
dian Office, and put it under the con-
troll of the local courts Of Oklahoma.
The showing made by Mr.. Curtis was
so strong that the senate voted with
him to sustain the jurisdiction of the
one case where department protec-
ton had been taken from an Indian
woman, who had been induced by
grafters to sell her property from
which she received $14,245 per year,
for $2,50O This case and others cited
by Mr.. Curtis enabled him to win
against the report of the committee
He was a member of the Kickapoo
Indian investigating committee, exam
ined the witnesses, and wrote the re-
port (Which was approved and signed
by Senators Teller and La Follette) |
The committee unea~thed great
frauds and the report which Mr.. Cur
tbs constructed resulted in the bring
ing of suits by the department of JUS
tice to recover the lards valued at
$250,000, and caused thu grand jury
of Maverick county, Texas. to return a
large number of indictments against
the men who had attempted to rob the
Indians. AS a result IF the actions
brought, the lands have nearly all
been decided back to the Indians
He was appointed on the committee |
on appropriations of tha senate at the |
end of two years service. a great dis !
tinction and one that has come to few
men in so short a time. Kansas has
been a state for fifty years and this |
is the second time that she has been |
given a place on this great committee |
His service on this committee has been
one of constant labor and painstaking |
care. He has worked early and late |
to guard the interests Of the people, |
and his vote and influence have al |
ways been on the side of just and !
conservative appropriations.
He defeated the amendment to pay |
certain Creek Indians 100000 by |
making a point of order. which was /
sustained by Vice President Fair |
banks
He defeated the Owen amendment |
to turn Indian minor heirs over to /
the local courts of Oklahoma, which |