The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-15

the Eighteenth Amendment to the
people. He voted for the NOlstead
act. To the prohibition questions
naire'' submitted to Presidential
candidates by Senator Borah this
spring, Curtis replied that he stood
for strict enforcement OF the law
and was opposed to its repeal. This
was in accord with his attitude TO
ward prohibition during his whole
legislative career.
1t was his far.sightedness that
brought peace within the Republican
ranks after the La Toilette CAM
paign OF 1924. While others bad
forced la Toilette and thre other
Progressives to walk the plank
after that election, Curtis, once he
became leader, brought them back
into the party.
Against Lobbyists
Throughout his career, Curtis
threw his influence toward legis-
lation, intended to promote the
prosperity of legitimate business,
industry and finance. He never
dealt with lobbyists. He preferred
to reach his own conclusions and
then to follow them.
Two of his votes depict his conr-
age. In the World War bonus fight.
the Coolidge Administration fought
any measure intended TO take money
oue of the Treasury. Curtis was
whip of the Senate then, with the
venerable Henry Cabot Lodge as
leader. The White House let both
of them know the bonus bin was
Objectionable. Curtis, however, in
troduced 1t and Lodge voted for it.
When Coolidge vetoed it, both with
stood terrific pressure and voted TO
enact 1t over the veto.
In 1924, when Coolidge was nom
mated and was elected President
in his own right, both Curtis and
Lodge were punished. 1T was due
to that bonus vote, it became known
later. that Coolidge opposed having
Curtis on the ticket as the nominee
for Vice President.
A second instance came during
the oil scandals, when the Senate
demanded the resignation of Secre-
tary Of the Navy DENLY. Although
it could have been a mighty unpopu-
lar thing, Curtis voted against the
resolution that demanded Denby's
resignation. That vote required a
supreme courage at the time. but
Curtis declared the Senate was in.
V-ding the Executive powers and
having reached that decision. he
voted against the resolution.
Curtis first saw the light Of day
near Topeka, Kan, on January %,
1850. His father was Capt. o. A.
Curtis, hardy pioneer Of English
extradition, whose forbears came
from New England. His mother
was Ellen Pappan, ouarter.Indian,
the daughter of Princess Julie Pap
pan, of the Kaw tribe. IT is through
her that Curtis traces his ancestry
back To Pawhuska, chief OF the Os-
age tribe, and White Plume, chief
Of the KaWs.
Record Senss tiOnaI
His record as prosecuting off.
GER was sensational. Once in office.
he began TO carry out a campaign
pledge to enforce the prohibition
law. He prosecuted the big feI.
lows first and then the '1ittle
ones" To the delight Of the good
cities and the amazement of the
others, he did enforce the law. His
success was so popular, he was re.
elected at the end Of his first term,
ECOltime
In 1892, he was first elected TO
Congress and after serving IA years
there, he was elected to the Senate.
In 1912, he suffered his first de.
feat. That was the year of the
Tsft-Roosevelt split, and after win.
ming the popular vote Of the State
for the Republican nomination, he
lost out in the convention where
the balloting was cast by districts.
The defeat of Curtis, by means of
an old law, so incensed the people
OF Kansas that they repealed the
law at once.
In 1914, Curtis was candidare