Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1914-09-18
CHARLES BURKE
DEFENDS POSITION
ABSENTEE RESOLUTION Is AT.
Tackled BY DAK0TAN
VOTES AGAINST PROPOSAL
SOUTH DAK0TAN BELIEVES QUESTION
IN One FOR HIS C0NSTITU-
ENTS TO DECIDE


ENTS TO DECIDE
Washington, D. c., Sept. 1S S-When
the resolution Of Msjority Leader
Oscar w. Underwood, to revoke all
leaves Of absence which had been
granted to members of the house and
directing the sergeant at arms to dock
ell those who should be absent for any
cause other than sickness of themselves
or familiee, came up for vote one of
tho few members who voted against 1t
was Charles H. Burke. representative
from the Second district South Dakota,
who is the republican whip of the
house and the nominee of his party for
the senate. Mr.. Burke defended his
position In vigorous speech on the
floor.
''The question of how public official
ought to discharge the duties of his Of
foe, and especially q member of con.
gress. is matter of his constituency. /"
Mr. Burke said. ut is not a question
Of just how many days he may have
been absent from the sessions, or
whether he may have missed few
roll calls, but 1t is what he accomp plish.
90 and whether be represents the sen.
ttment OF his constituency upon pub
lic questions. II he is neglectful of
his duties and Indifferent with regard
to questions that may arise in which
bic constituency is interested, he will
promptly be recalled. and therefore,
there is an adequate remedy where
members fail to perform their duty"
Speaking Of his own absences from
the house, Mr.. Burke said:
II was away from Washington for a
short time during this session, en-
gagged in making q campaign for the
senate. 1t was with much reluctance
that I absented myself even for q
short period. and I proposed to my
opponent, who is q member of the
senate, that We both return and leave
our contest with the people, believing
that 1t Was our duty to be here. II I
had voted for the Underwood resolu.
tton. which In effect directs the ser.
geant at arms to withhold the salary
from some member who is now away
because Of contest in his district. ]
would certainly without delay return
the treasury the salary that accrued to
my credit during the time was away
and cannot see how any man who sup
ported the resolution, who may have
absent at any time, can do otherwise
have been q member of this house
nearly fourteen years, snd during tha,
period have not only been In Wash
inston, but upon the floor of the house
the greater part Of the time during the
sessions. It did not require any reso
luton to suggest to me that l ought t.
be here when congress Is in session
because have too high regard fol
the responsibilities of my position, &
that ] do not need to be told what m,
duty is. During the past two years
was compelled to be In . hospital OF
three different occasions, for periol
Of over one month the fret time ant
two weeks or more at the other times
and 60 particular was in wanting t,
bs hare during the sessions arranged
It 90 that I did not lose single do,
from attending the sessions Of th,
house, being on the thrse occasions ii
the hospital, twice between the session,
and once during holiday recess
With the exception of an absence for ,
short time last winter, during my on
tire service I have rarely ever bee,
sbssnt except whom away on business
Of the house or on account Of illness
and since my return last winter l hsv
only missed attending two sessions o
tho house."