CITY- COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
Mayor Bemis Sends HisFarowell Mcssngo
to the Members.
URGES THE NEED OF RETRENCHMENT
AfTnlrn n ( Otnnlin'n Ilntinc K
llcvlcwril nl LciiKlli ! > < - "
tlrlnnr Mnyor SMKKPBIIOIIM
for the Future.
The advent of a new city council Into
omclttl existence was a ulR attraction at
the city hall and standing room In the lobl >
was barely available. The gallery was also
vroll occupied , Imlf a dozen women being
In evidence In tbe front row. The lobby
numbered a vast number of city employes
nnd prospective employes- well ns an
unusual representation of property owners
nnd contMctors. Conspicuous In the first
clasg were a number of vacant chairs In the
councllmanlc row , amont , them being Iraac
Hascall and U. II. Wheeler.
When City Clerk lllfiby called the roi :
last night every councilman was present
except Samuel Duliols , deceased , S. II
Gordon , resigned , and C. L. Jnyncs
out of town. Kennard took ths lloor
to nomlnato "Hen. " W. A. Saumlors as
president. There wcro no further nomina
tions anil on roll call Mr. Saundcrs was
unanimously chosen ,
The newly elected president was erected
by a general hand-clapping as he took the
chair. Ho brlclly thanked the council for
the honor conferred , expressed the belief
that the proceedings of 189K would bo In
every way orderly nnd harmonious , and con
cluded with the statement that "economy1
must bo the watchword of the year.
On motion of Councilman Allan the
rules of the old council were declared
adopted until otherwise ordered.
President Saunders then Introduced Mayar
BemlB , who read his retiring messags , us
follows :
DUDES MOUI3 nETRKNCHMENT.
To the Honorable City Council of the
City of Omalm : Gentlemen In bringing lo
n. close tin administration extending over
the past four ycnrs. I deem It proper to
review the events which have tiannplrou
during thut period , nnd to maltc such iccom-
tncndatlona us experience allows are for the
best Interest ; ! of the community , of which
We nrc nil the servants. The administra
tion of municipal nffalrs Is about to pass
nto other hands , and the course to be pur
sued must be determined by those who uro
Just entering- upon their olllclnl duties , but
I feel wet ranted In offering such suggestions
UK seem pertinent and me based upon past
experience.
The last two years Imvo been a perloi
of unparalleled stringency In financial inat-
tcra , and of unprecedented drouth , causing
Irreat Buffering among all classes of people
One of the greatest burdens felt by the
people Is taxation , nnd there Is a crying
Uemand for relief. This demand must be
heeded , nnd the relief sought must be af
forded. The will of the taxpayers may bo
thwarted for a time , but there can bo only
one Inevitable result. The city of Omaha
Is afflicted with a system of government
eulllclent for a city double Its plze , and the
excessive cost of maintaining the same Is
the burden against which the people rebel.
The entire yysUm should be remodeled
upon , a basis commensurate with the size
and needs of the city. " It la true that a few
ordinances have been passed In the line ol
retrenchment , but what la demanded Is an
entlro remodeling of the system of gov
ernment , and not the cutting down of the
salaries of a few clerks and minor olllclals.
I do not Interpret the demand of the people
to be a call for the payment of niggardly
salaries to the men who actually do the
work , but I construe that demand to mean
that the superfluous olilccrs who are paid
large salaries for doing absolutely nothing
should be entirely done away with. There
la nothing saved In the end by the employ
ment of cheap labor , but there are n number
Of olllces from which the public derives * no
benefit whatever , and which simply affort
a few fortunate Individuals the opportunltj
o , feeding at the public crib. As an lllun-
tration of this statement , I will cite a few
cases. .
CUT OFF SUPEnNUMEUAniES.
The three members of the Board of Public
Works arid its secretary draw salaries ag
gregating $7,700 annually : the building in-
Bpector nnd his clerk will draw this year
Falarlca amounting to J2.720 ; the plumbing
Inspector , under existing ordinances , will
cost the city $1,200. Existing conditions
clearly demonstrate that' little or no public
work can bj do o within the next few years ;
there Is tcarcoly any building or plumbing
work l)6lng done , and no good reason can
bo urged against the total abolition of all
these olllces. Th3 entire public work of the
city could be done- under the supervision of
the engineering department. This would
effect a saving to the taxpayers of at least
$20,000. IJy increasing- clerical force of
the city clerk's olllce , at an annual expense
of about $ ,1,000 , the comptroller's office could
be abolished and more efficient service se
cured , with a saving of $7,000 each year.
All minor olllces. such as holler inspector ,
plumbing Inspector , etc. , should be elim
inated from the charter , and the continu
ance of EUch ofllccs left to the discretion of
the mayor nnd council. In order to nccom-
p Ish this , It will be necessary to amend the
city charter , and this matter should be
made the Issue during- this year. A move
ment should bo started early. In order that
Us full extent may be generally understood ,
nnd the election of members of the legisla
ture from Douglas county should depend
upon their position upon this most Impor-
tnnt matter. The mayor and council should
take the Initiative In matters of this kind
nnd the subject should bf > given the most
careful and earnest consideration. I at
tempted to Inaugurate a movement of this
kind early last year , and appointed a par-
} committee . , with the recommendation
that the council appoint n like number , and
Btiggcsted that amendments to our city
charter bo drafted in time to make them
nn Issue In the approaching campaign ; but
the council delayed action , the candidates
for the legiHlatuio kept the matter In the
background , nnd the result was that our
charter was mutilated by the last legis
lature at the Instance of large special and
corporate Interests , until Its most Intimate
friend would never have recognized It. If
It hail not been vetoed by the governor the
taxpayers would have had additional rea
sons for protesting. If the charter Is
changed along the line I have Indicated It
will result In an annual saving to the tax
payers of at least $50,000 In palarloa alone.
SAYS TAX SYSTEM IS WIIONO.
At the snmo tlmo this matter Is agitated ,
attention should bo directed to our pre
vailing system of tax aFSPfcmcnt. This Is
i matter of vital Importance to all our
nltlzenc , and n strong nnd determined effort
IH necessary to nccompllcli n reform in this
direction. It will liu recalled that an nnipnd-
jnoiit was Included In the bill Introduced
In the lust leglslatuir , whli'h provided for a
plnglo iissoHsor , This Focton | wan ptilcUcn
from the bill as a result of the lobbying
of some of nur wealthiest citizen * and c-or-
noratlons. It Is n well known fact that
these name wealthy citizens and corpora
tion n.\y n very small propoitlon of the
total iaxei , the bulk of the burden being
norno by the mnall homo owners nnd the
people who arc the least ublo to bear It ,
whereas thq heavy property owners nnd
the corporations , by means Kontrnlly under ,
"food , uro assessed at n valuation which Is
ridiculously low. The valuations In one
ward mo fixed without anv rcfeienco to
valuations In the wards adjoining , and the
entire law Is so faulty that no reasonable
arguments can In advanced In support of It.
A change In Ililn method would equalize
the burden of taxation and greatly relieve
those who uro oppressed by tbe present
'There are changes which can bo made by
the mayor and council Independent of any
charter amendments , and which phould lie
made at once , viz , ; The police force Hiould
ha reduced at least SO per cent ; th * way to
accomplish this IK for the imivor nnd council
to reduce the levy for the police department
upon this basis. The same conrpo should
bo pursued with rrsp'ct to the levy for the
Jtpardi of Health. The olllre of gas Inspector
should bo ( ibollhhed. and his duties per
formed by the cltv electrician without addi
tional expense. There arn still other re
forms which may bp ncr-ompllenoil by abel
ishing useU'FH ollli'o ? , but I will not KO
further Into detail ,
FMK INSURANCE RATES.
I bollevp It would bo entirely proper for
the mayor nnd council to tiiko wmui action
looking toward n reduction In the rates for
fire liiHiiranco In force In this city. At the
tlmo Iho matter of flro protection and water
rervlco was under dlfcusston about n year
and n half ago the statement was made by
Insurance men that the high rates of Insur
ance ID force were duo to insultlclrnt ap
paratus In the flic department and lack of
water pressure. The changes made In the
water mnlns In the business portions of the
city have icmovcd many of the objection
able features aa far as Iho pressure Is concerned -
corned , and there can bo no Question an to
tins marked Increase In the efficiency of the
flro department. Four engines and about
ten man have been added to the equipment ,
but the incrensH In cfllcltmcy la not due en
tirely lo that fact. The records In the ofliro
of the chief of ( ho tire department fliow
that la 1S95 ( hero were MO alannn of flro ;
In IS'JI there wcro 831 , n difference of only
ouo alarm. It will undoubtedly surprise
persons who have not given the matter any
thought to learn that th ? amount of Incur *
carried on bulldlnus and contents ex- ;
poxcd to fire In Iftll. n * shown by the re *
ports In the office of the chief of the flru
department , WAR 1&SM2 , nil of which WAD
lost ; while the InMirnnco carried on buildIngs -
Ings nnd contents exposed to lire In 1S93
amounted to $ ltl3,3Sl , on which the Insur
ance compinles lost only Jso.OTQ. The
arrount of Insurance carried Is the best pos
sible Indication of the Importance of the
fires nnd the showing made Is n very flat-
ttrlng encomium upon the effectiveness of
our fire department under the present i-hlof.
The tlmo has now nrilved for a pencr.il
m < -vo looking toward a reduction In Insur
ance rates and I suggest that the movement
be Inaugurated by the mayor and council
in adopting n memorial poltlnsr forth the
facts to which I have briefly alluded nnd
Insisting on n general reduction In rates.
This would give an Impetus to the move
ment which could then bo taken up by our
citizens and ? ome return secured for the
Inrgo outlay necessitated by the changes
which have been made. _
CONCERNING WATER WORKS.
In firmer annual mesfnges It has been my
unpleasant duty to call attention to the
fact that the contract between the city nnd
the American Water Works connany was
bring violated In a most serious manner. I
have also been compelled to tmst emphat-
Ica'ly call the atlcnt on of the council to
this feet In vetoes of the bills of this com
pany for hydrant rentals. 1 also ngltntcl
the matter In the meetings of the Hoard of
Fire nnd Police Commissioners. The OlJ
adage. "Constant dilpplr.g wears away a
Ftone , ' was exemplified In this matter to i
certain extent. Individual citizens an :
members of the Commercial club took the
iratter up , meetings wcro held at whlcl
the ( jupstlon was ihoroughlv Investigated
the Inadequacy of our flro protection
was pretty thoroughly ventilated , and the
council was finally prevailed upon to tool
Into the matter. As n final result It was
decided that the cltv had for years been
paying large sums of money for . < nmothln ( ,
It never received. The water company was
Inclined to be arbitrary In the matter , bu
a compromise win effected nnd It wai
agreed that the disputed bills of the com
pany , amounting to ! Sr > ,3 > 5 K9 , Humid bo pah
In accordance with an agreement thtit the
entire amount was to be used In making
designated Improvements In the wixv of
larger malni In the business portions of the
city. The bills In question were paid during
the past summer and the work was Innu
gurated n little later. Plans for the wotk
were made by the city engineer and WPIC
agreed to by the water compiny , and , ac
cording to the statement of the receivers
have been carried out excepting on S'x- '
tcenth street from Howard to Leavcnworth
and connecting ten lire hydrants with larger
mains , which they claim they were pre
vented from doing by freezing weather niu
which they promlra to do In the spring as
soon as the weathrr will permit.
The policy of enlarging mains should bo
followed out until the supply mains tor the
residence Jlstrlcts are of a size sulllcleut to
meet all demands and furnish the lire pro
tection for which the city Is paying. The
good work should not be allowed to Ktcp
with the enlargement of the mains In tin.
business districts. The residences of our
taxpayers nro entitled to Uro protection ns
well ns their places of business. There nix
large sections of our city where the supply
mains arc only six Inches In diameter , am
In come cases thcie are large numbers of
hydrants on a. single main. In case of n
large flro In these districts these hydrants
would be absolutely useless. The contract
of the water company Is violated Jusl as
seriously In this regard as It has been in
the business district ,
In thl" same connection , steps should betaken
taken without any unnecessary delay to rc-
lUliL- the construction of a duplicate main
from the pumping station at Florence to UIP
reservoirs at Walnut Hill. It will
ba recalled that early in December , last , the
large main from Florence burst In the neigh
borhood of Twenty-fourth and Lake streets
and the water supply of the entire city was
shut oil for a considerable time. If such an
accident had happened during the progress
of a lire the result might have ben some
thing terrible to contemplate. Matters ol
this kind should not be allowed to re t
until after a serious accident has happened.
In April of last year n new form of
ordinance was drafted , to be used In orderIng -
Ing water hydrants. This ordinance pre
scribed the size of the hydrant , the mini
mum size of the pipe to be laid ns main ,
and the street In which such main waste
to be laid ; It was- also provided that In no
pnso was the internal diameter of the plno
to bo less than eight inches. This ordi
nance has been In use ever since , and , If
continued , will serve ns a means of regu
lating a very Important matter which had
previously been left to the water com
pany , i > nd which had resulted In the city
being' largely covered with water mains
four or six Inches In diameter , to which
policy Is due the Inferior service and the
lack of adequate fire protection.
ASPHALT PA VINO MATTERS.
Another reform accomplished during the
part year IP In relation" to"thp cost of ns-
phalt for street pavements. It Is univer-
rally conceded that this material is the
most desirable for this purpose of anything
that has been discovered , but the higli
prices prevailing In this city have operated
as a bar to Its general use. Omaha has
for years baen In the grasp of a gigantic
and powerful corporation , which has al
most entirely monopolized the asphalt pav
ing business In nearly all the large cities
of this country , regulating the prices and
precluding all competition. The standard
price In this city was $2.93 per square yard ,
an outrageously high price , which was
maintained , except nt brief intervals , when
It became necessary to make a lower figure
In order to drive out some competitor who
could ilot bo forced Into the combine. In
consequence of this method our citizens
have been systematically 'robbed of thou
sands of dollars by this corporation. From
the beginning of my term of ollice I have
endeavored to encourage competition In
asphalt paving , but no tangible result grew
out of these efforts until Hugh Murphv
threw down the gauntlet October 19 , iwl ,
by bidding $2.07 per square yard for paving
Sherman avenue , from Nicholas to Locust
streets , a distance of over one mile. The
next highest bid was that of one of the
members of the combine , who bid $2.15. The
difference between these two bids for the
entlro work amounted to $10.007.51. The
printed specifications , upon which all bids
were made , contained a clause requiring
bidders to designate the source from which
they Intended to procure their asphalt , and
another provided that the pavement , "must
be equal to the best asphalt pavement laid
In Omaha. " John Grant's bid specified the
so-called "pitch lake" on the Island of
Trinidad as the source from which he In
tended to procure his material , nnd Hugh
Murphy reserved the right to secure his
nsnhnlt from a pitch lake on the Island of
Trinidad , not controlled pi" the com
bine , or from Bermudas , or from California.
Two other bids were received , but they
were higher than the two mentioned , being
made by concerns In the combine nnd In
accordance with the well known method
of this octopus , In order to give the ap
pearance of competition. These four bids
were laid over by the Hoard of Public
Works for further consideration. Five days
Inter nil bid ? were rejected on the ground
that they were not specific. The Board
of Public Works was at once ordered by
the mayor and eouncli to submit all bids
to the council and explain Its action In re
jecting the bids. The board compiled with
these Instructions , and claimed the right
and power to act Independently of the
mayor and council. The city attorney guve
It us his opinion that the bid of Hugh
Murphy was In legal form , and that the
mayor nnd council had full authority to
compel the Donrd of Public Wotks to enter
Into a contract with the lowest bidder. The
city engineer advocated the admission of
asphalt from other sources than the one
controlled by the Harber Asphalt com
pany , nnd stated that good results had
been obtained In other parts of " - coun
try with asphalt from llermudas , and also
from California. Thereupon- , the Board of
Public Woiks , by 11 concurrent resolution ,
was ordered to make n contract with Hugh
Murphy on his bid , By dilatory tactics
the bonrd nlayed Into the hands of the
higher bidders and gave them time to
secure nn Injunction on a trumped-up case
restialnlng the bontd from making1 the con
tract. December 10 this ease was fettled
In Judge Keyeor'H court , the temporary re
straining order being dissolved. Dilatory
tactics were again Indulged In by the Board
of Public Works until the higher bidder ,
acting- through a stool-plgjon , secured an
other restraining order. This time the
matter was heard by three Judges sitting en
bane , and the temporary Injunction dis
solved , All thn fertile repourccs of the
combine bavins' apparently been exhausted ,
the Hoard of Public Works flnnllv consented
to comply with the demands of the power
which created It and January " 2 01 liibt
year entered Into a contract with Hugh
Murphy. The contract was approved bv
the mayor and council the same day. Mr.
Murphy erected an asphalt plant costlni ; in
the neighborhood of } 20OW and during the
summer proceeded to carry out Mi con
tract. Ho mndo a large number : > f CAperi-
ments In order to secure the best fotmula
for UFO In this climate. The won ; was
completed early In the fall and after pjr-
ronul Inspection I do not hceucto to sav
that It Is ono of the best juplinlpnveil
stieets In this city. Time alone will tlomoi.
Ktrate the lasting qualities of thl. < plrnr
of woik , but I feel confident thn * . It will
eampnre favorably with any othtr work < -f
this kind In the city. I jorim.tu'nte nur
citizens that wo have ill list tecured com
petition In this work and I sincerely hope
that they will * co xo It tin : this competi
tion Is not allowed 10 < lu uiit ,
PUHUC WORK.
In the line of public work them nro a
lumber of changes which were made during
liu punt four years which I b llevc ft re In
the Interest of the laxpay.nz public , Amoi.s
other things , the o.ii.-mc.-rUir depuitment
naugurotcd a plan fur nviln rowers baced
upon the prospective needs of the city. The
city was divided Into dralnaxo arena and
Iho nepdy of each In the way of eeweraee
wac computed , and on this busts , us main
sewers wcro required , they have been con
structed with a capacity eulllclent for all
'uture needs. This mcihod wjuJ appear
lin most natural and eommon-Miuo manner
3f procedure , but main eewers have been
jopntructed In some districts In tl.ts cit
luring- former ye ry vtlilcU Viff
by rtorm water on account of lack of
capacity , causing the expenditure of many
thousand ! ) of dollars for their rteomtrvc-
A 'change In method which bin bcsn m st
generally noticeable In Its effect hi been
with reference to the repairs of Pfphiilt
- 'Hlbirc to enforce
pavement * . In former ye-irs
force the terms of the con'rnrl with re-
Fpcct to repairs resulted In thcfo streets
being almost Impassable thq greater part
of the time. A change was Inaugurated In
this matter whereby the city engineer
makes a plat each month , showing the
exact condition of all the asphalt streets
In the city , and orders for repairs arc
based on this report. The result has been
that these streets nro a credit to the city
Instead of a dlrgrnce.
An Innovation which will be appreciated
by nil property owner ? , when they realize
Its full effect was the change made In the
manner of doing plumbing work between
thS sewer nnd the property line. This work
Is now required to bo done under the supervision -
[ vision of the 'engineering department. In
1 accordance with grade lines established bj
that department , and In filch n manner as
to prevent obstruction. This system baa
been vigorously opposed by certain
plumbers , but other cities have copied It
nnd have endorsed It as the best system
wh'ch ' has been devised.
The legal and engineering departments
have perfected a plan for forestalling
fictitious claims for damages on account of
Injuries occasioned by defective sidewalk'
This has proved n fruitful scheme for
niching the municipal treasury In pas' '
jears anJ It was found necessary to aii'pt '
seine means for preventing payment In un
worthy cases. Under the plan adopted , as
FOOH ns the news of an accident reaches the
legal or engineering department n man Is
stint out with a camera and a photograpl
la taken ot the scene of the injury and
the claimant Is met with a perfect lluenow
of the spot wlisi ho undertakes to exag
gerate flic case. As a result ot this method
legitimate claims arc settled on an equitable
basis , out of court , and the expense of n
suit Is avoided by both parties.
Acting upon the ndvlc ? of the legal de
partment , the method of procedure In ncnilj
nil nmtterfi relating to the levying of spe
cial taxes has been changed , and It Is be
lieved that less dilllculty will bo experi
enced In the future with reference to taxes
l ° vlcd during the past administration than
has been the case with tuxes levied dm ing
previous years.
ARC STREET LIGHTING.
There have been no new developments
during the past year In the matter of elec
tric street lighting. It will be recalled that a
new contract went Into effect January 1,1SE ?
Djtwien the city nnd the New Omaha
TMnmtcn.Houston Electric Light company ,
which fixed the price of arc lights at $120
p.r annum , tne lights to be supplied with
a current of 9.G amperes and CO volts
Since this contract went Into effect there
has been n cessation of ths unpleasant
contention between the city and the con
tracting company. I am still firm In my
rplnlon , however , that the question of elec
tric street lighting- will never bo settled
until It Is settled right , by means of mu
nicipal ownership of the lighting plant.
The contract above refened to will expire
In January. IMS , and , as I stated hi my
message or ons year ago , the details ol
cost , location. Issuing of bonds , etc. , should
be thoroughly Investigated while there Is
ample time. It will not bo necessary foi
mo to go Into details showing the de
sirability of advantages of municipal owner
ship of lighting plants ; the uurrmit maga-
zlnea arc dlscus liig thofo questions In till
their bearings , the general result of nil
the Investigations of this subject bltit |
largely In favor of municipal ownership and
control. Statistics are quoted , showing that
the cost of service Is from 25 to 50 per cent
lcss with municipal ownership as compared
with nHvatr contracts. Thesa , statements
are not based on thoaiy , but arc the icsult of
iiuiual expurience In cities of all sizes , situ
ated In many different sections of the coun
try. In the Interest of the taxpayers of
Omaha , I theraforc strongly recommend
that this matter be taken up In the near
future and arrangements made to establish
a municipal plant when the present lighting
contract shall have expired. Th2 city al
ready owns suitable real estate for the
location of puch a plant , nnd the erection
of a building and the Installing of the nec
essary machinery would require but a com
paratively small outlay of capital. The
plant should Include the necessary ma
chinery for commercial lighting , both arc
and incandescent , In order that the tax
payers may receive the full benefit of the
lower prices which will result from such a
system.
A rather Interesting- condition of affairs
Is shown by a review of the measures
which have been vetoed during the past
four years. Without going fully Into de
tails , I will fay that a careful analysis of
the amount of money involved In these
matters shows results that are surprising.
Without Including the gas franchise ordi
nance , which was passed by the , cpuncl'
nnd afterwards changed In accordance with
an agreement between representatives of
the gas company and myself , whereby the
taxpayers of the city were saved approxi
mately $3COO,000 , ns compared with the ordU
nance first enacted , and without Including
the bills of the American Water Works
company for hydrant rental amounting to
$200,000 or more , or the bills of the Thom
son-Houston Klectrlc Light company for
street lighting amounting to over $ oO,000 ,
these matters having been amlcab'.y ad
justed and settled upon an agreed basis ;
and without IncludiiiK the legion Of street
repair resolutions and other councllmanlc
devices for keeping constituents In line by
the expenditure of a few municipal dollars ,
the total amount of money represented by
measures vetoed bv mo for good and sufll-
clent reasons is $78,887. Of this amount ,
$53,187 , or 67 per cent , was passed over my
veto by the council. My vetoes of these
measures were Invariably based upon the
same sound business reasons which would
have actuated any prudent business man
after a thorough and careful Investigation
of the subject matter In each case. The
result simply shows the danger of lmty
and Ill-considered action on the part of the
council.
In bringing to a close my last message to
the city council , I Wish to say that while
there have been times when the relations
between the mayor nnd council have been
somewhat strained , that condition was not
due , on my part , to any personal feeling
toward any member of the council , but was
simply due to the fact that wo differed In
our judgment. cherish no feelings of Ill-
will towards any councilman , and trust
they have none towards me. Respectfully ,
GEORGE P. I5EMIS , Mayor.
The message was heard with marked
attention and the various recommendations
contained were referred to the appropriate
committees for consideration. Mayor
liroatcli then delivered his Inaugural ad
dress ;
MAYOR BROATCH'S ADDRESS.
In entering upon my duties as mayor
for a second time it Is not my purpose to
tax your patience by asking you to listen
to nn elaborate Inauguial address.
During the period of Omaha's greatest
prosperity largo sums of money were ex-
psiuied In public matters a very largo In
debtedness created for street paving , etc. ,
and bonds were issued to cover the same ,
which are now rapidly maturing , and , to
gether with Inter-.st coupons , must be
paid or tbe city will become n delinquent.
We have suffered In common with the
general depression throughout the United
States , and , In addition , have suffered from
the almost total loss of crops In 1S3I , nnd
the partial loss of 1833. These causes , com-
lilncd , created a depression which has been
very discouraging , and has placed our tax
payers at the limit of their endurance.
In the speeches which I made during the
recent campaign I promised the city a
careful business administration upon nn
economic basis , and have since felt fully
justified In pledging to n largo number of
our citizens your hearty co-opcratlon In
the direction of a rigid and consistent re
trenchment In public expenditures.
Many of our taxpayers have found them-
Kclves In nn unenviable position , owing
to their Inability to pay the tnxes fnli
nt ? due upon their various properties , and
which were levied for the purpose of pro
viding for the payment of the tpeclal bonds
previously referred to.
If the tnxpaylng power Is crippled the
lime will come when the city will be unable
: o pay salaries and Its ordinary running ex-
icnres. Our bankers , merchants and manu
facturers , and , Indeed , all , huvo been com
pelled to curtail their expenses. Even
with the most radical reductions , In most
cases , they have been unable to meet their
ordinary expenses during the past two
years.
As It Is with Individuals , so It Is with
a corporation , whether municipal or other ,
and , unpleasant ns the task may be. It is
.lie duty of public olllclals to so arrange
: ho business of the city that the burden of
ts maintenance may fall aa lightly as pos
sible upon all classes.
During the month of December short tltno
> ends fell duo In New York City. The
treasury found Itself In no condition to
meet them , nnd had It not been for the
aid rendered by the local bank , their pay-
ncnt could not have been made. This
condition Is ono which will have to bo met
'rom tlmo to tlmo during the coming year ,
is n large portion of the special tnxes nre
now In default. It therefore becomes 1m-
leratlvely necessary that a rigid retrench
ment nil on Id be Inaugurated at once. It
would be unreasonable to expect the banks
of this city to continually como to the reu-
cue of our treasury department unless cn-
courncement la given that this administra
tion will put Itself In accord with the tax *
payer * of this city.
RETRENCHMENT SUGGESTIONS.
It Is the general belief that many of the
municipal olllces , created by ordinance ,
could either be consolidated or dispensed
with entirely , as , per example , the office of
city veterinarian could be consolidated with
hat of meat Inspector , at a savingto the
city of at least $ CCO per annum. In most
eastern cities the meat Inspectors are edu
cated veterinarians.
It should bo borne In mind that we have a
moat expensive municipal system ; that the
average pay roll la over $28,000 per month ,
vlth expenditures for publlo matters during
ho past year ot lesn than one-fourth of an
from l J7 tjj iSo. ? awing .wulck
many of the ofllcea novr In existence wcr
not then created.
The co-operation of th * nchool boar <
rheuM be fought In the work of retrench
mcnt , I do not wlfh to bo understood n
recommending the adoption of n penny-wise
and ponnd-foollch f jut cm , but I feel Urn
claims for appointment tn olllce- should nebo
bo considered In any effort for the public re
llcf.
It Is to be regretted that so many of th
offices nre fixed bythe charter , or the
could be consilldntol or discontinued.
An order for the sale of the America
Water Works has been made. and. as
sound lnislncf < f > policy would Indicate such
course , steps should ho taken to protect th
city's Interest with the Intention of havln
the ownership vested therein ,
One of the greatest needs of this city I
dcp t accommodations , The various rallwn
corporations centering In this city should re
rpond to the spirit of our citizens and niton
facilities which would reflect credit utn
themselves nnd be u pride to our city. Th
way to gain the good will of n people I ? t
keep In touch with them , and by fosterlnt
friendly relations mutual advantages woult
bo obtained.
A market house should bo established fo
the convenience of hucksters nnd the con
centratlon of that class of business. Th
present condition of the finances will no
however. Justify expenditures for that pur
pose. This might bo accomplished by con
copslons to private parties.
About $30,000 was paid out by the count
last winter to old tbe poor , many of whoi
were able-bodied men , nnd I suggest that n
the city pays nbaut fonr-llftlis of the taxe
of the county , an arrangement be mad
whereby those who can work may Vie em
ployed In keeping our streets clean , atu
some equivalent bo thus returned for th
charity bestowed.
I have faith In the future of Oimhn. No
brr.fka Is rich In the fertility of Its soil , nm
Its ngrlculturnl resource ! ) nto boundless. Go <
helps those who help themselves. Let u
make the- best of elrcumstnnces. Let u
help ourselves , and five years hence th
pU'ccnt adversity wl'.l bo forgotten.
FRANK PLANCK HEAPP01NTED.
Mayor Droatch'B mCssigc wan referred t
the committee of the whole , and then , In pur
suanca of the caucus arrangement , Presldcn
Saundcrs appointed Frank Planck as ser
geant-at-arnis , The appointment was con
firmed , Ilurkloy voting "no" on the groiiE
that a esrgeant-at-arnis was not a necesslt
and o'jould bo dispensed with as n measure o
economy.
The council then prccocJcd to thi annin
lottery of desks. Jnynes beinc absent , th
city clerk was authorized to select his scat
As It harP'n2d , his name was the first drawi
from HID hat and Mr. Illgby selected Jaynes
old seat in the first row ! Thomas changed t
the desk vacated by liechel , lllngluni tool
Saundc'-r. ' seat In the csnter of the first row
Burnieister succeeded Jacobsen at tlui rlgh
cf the desk , ChrU'tlo drew Gordon's seat a
the extreme left , Allan took that cf Ho
Holmes , Bemwa succeeded Calm , and Ax
fjfd look Thomas' old. feat , and Kmcnt
Prince , llurklcy , Taylor , Kennard , Mercer atu
Lemly retained their old placet' ' .
Tha appointments of George Holbrook as dcp
uty city clerk , Fred Saekctt as deputy comp
troller and Charles L. Saunders as deputy
treasurer were submitted and placed on file.
There were three bids for the job of print
liiB the annual pports. Omaha Printing com
pany , $2.71 per page ; Ileos Printing company
$2.0 ! ) ; Klopp & Ilartlett company , $2.C.'i. Th
contract was awarded to the Klcpp & Bartlet
company.
There wore- nineteen bidders on the con
tract for moving the city jail. Kennard
asked that the contract be held open for
another week , as some who wcro anxious to
bid had not been able to ro ? the plans anc
npeclficatlons. HI ? suggestion was agrcec
to after some opposition !
FRANK DOES NOT GET PAY.
Tile veto of Mayor Horn Is of the bill for
Israel Frank's services as meat Inspector
came up In the- regular order. All the docu
ments In the case were reread for the in
formation of the now members. The velo
was then sustained. Ayes , Allan , Ben'awa
Ulnghuni , Bnrmelster , Christie , Kmcnt
Prince , Saunders , Taylor , Thomas 10
Nays , Axford , Burkley , Kennard , Lemly
Mercer 5.
Allen then wanted to expunge from ths
lecords that portion of the veto message
which reflected en the Integrity of Frank
The point of order was raised that the
council had no authority to mutilate a mes
sage froiri the mayor , and President Saun
ders rr.led that the onlycourss was lo re
fuse to spread the veto on , thev records. This
suggestion was adopted , and the clerk wab
directed ! not to enter any part of the veto
on the journal.
The nlayor's veto of the bill for Frank's
S.vvices during December was sustalncJ
by 11 to 4.
There was a rather humorous proceeding In
connection with a resolution by Taylor to
allow comptroller two additional clerks
for one month at $70 each. The resolution
was all but passed when ono or two cf the
memberii down at the tall of th ? list vote < l
no with some vigorous remarks 0:1 the subject
ot retrenchment gene glimmering. Then the
now members hastened to change their vots-r
and the resolution was lost.
MOVING AGAINST BONDSMEN.
Kment offered a resolution Instructing the
legal department .to take Immediate steps to
recover the amount of Henry Bolln's de
falcation from' ' his bondsmen. Taylor wanted
action postponed. Ho was overruled and the
resolution way adopted.
The two ordinances providing for filling va
cancies In the olllco cf councilman , which
were introduced by Saunders latt year , were
taken up and dlspo&ed of according to the
prearranged program. The ordinance vesting
the appointing power In the mayor was
promptly placed on file and the ordinance
giving the sole appointing power to the coun-
c'l ' was passed , Burkley , Thomas and Kment
vltlng no.
Before adjournment the action on which
bids on the- city jail were helti ! for one week
was reconsidered and the bids were opened.
The bids were on three clatucs of work ,
plumbing , mason and carpenter work and Iron
work , It developed that In nearly every case
a copy of the advertUement did not accom
pany the bid and Kennard moved that all
aids bs rejected. Tills was overruled and the
bids were all referred to a special conunlt-
Lec , consisting of Christie , Kennard , Blng-
lum and the building Inspector.
* .
KKI.M2V , .STUiUH & CO.
We Announce < lie Flrxt
Of our own Importation of Embroideries for
spring , 1896.
We have also received our advance orders
on Ladles' Muslin Underwear.
Wo have given the selection of the&o goods
.ho most careful attention , as to style of
garments , quality of materials , perfection ( it
.rlnimlnRs and what Is most ebtenUrJ ,
'good needle work. "
We respectfully solicit your approval.
KELLEY. STIOER & CO. .
Corner Fnrnam and Fifteenth streets.
HIMV Mnny I'liNNi-iiiTi'i-H DOOM It Curry ?
There's the true test of a train the * num-
jsr of passengers it carries.
If It Is a good train It will do a good
business. If It Is an exceptionally good
train It will do an exceptionally good busi
ness. If It Is the best train It will do the
biggest business.
There Isn't any dUputlng these statements.
They are ns evident as' that Omaha wants
a new union depot.
Tlio Omaha-Chicago 'train that does the
biggest business the lion's shore Is the
Burlington's "VestlbuMdl Flyer. " It ought
to , because It Is the.nnost comfortable , the
best equipped train 'between ' the Missouri
River and the World's' Fair City.
Vestlbuled gas-lighted sleepers chair
cars a la carte diners. *
Leaves Omaha 5OQ ; p , m.
Arrives Chicago 8 : 0 a. m.
Tickets at 1324 Fantam St.
City AiIvcrtlHliiif > ( ) ontrn t Enjoliiril ,
Judge Ambrose yestenlay evening Issued n
temporary Injunctlonion petition of The Bee
Publishing company , restraining the city
clerk , comptroller and other city officers
from Inserting city advertising In the News
Republic under the alleged contract ap
proved Monday night by the city council.
The parties enjoined nro Invited to appear
Tuesday , January U , to show cause why
the Injunction shall not be made perma-
nentt The petition sets up the fact that
under the charter the accepted paper has
not the subscription list that entitles It to
bo considered among' the bidders.
\VII1 Flint niul I'rny.
Dr. Henry , assisted by a quartet , con
ducted the gong service which preceded the
preaching nt the Plerson revival mectlngn
ut Plymouth Congregational church last
evening. Tim permon was on "Everlasting
Punishment. " At Ha conclusion a number
owned u deulro to lead a better life. Today
will be observed aa a day of fasting and
prayer , with half-hourly services and even
ing service at usual hour ,
Veteran Firemen' * Anuuiil Meeting ,
An annual meeting of the Omaha Veteran
Firemen's nasoclatlon will be held at the
office of Fire Chief Redell this evenint" at
8 o'clock.
SUPREME COURT AT WORK
Onnningham B. Scott Appears to Explain
Some of His Judicial Conduct.
BECKET CONTEMPT CASE TO BE REVIEWED
MnKer to lie Tnltrit Up nt Once
Oilier Contempt CIIKVN Will Alno
lie llcnril IIIII CIIMC
' -Motion.
LINCOLN , Jan. 7. ( Special. ) The su
preme court convened this morning for the
January term. The calendar was called In
the presence of tha largest number of at
torneys that has ever assembled nt the open
ing of this court. Judge. Cunningham H.
Scott of Omaha was down In the Interest of
his contempt case against Attorney Deckel.
The capo was passed , pending an examination
Into Bccket's mandamus case against Scott.
On the ns.'omblliiR of ths court Chief Jus
tice Norvnl requested the attorneys p'reusnt
to take notice that In the future It would
ba necessary for them to file with the clsrk
of the court notices ot motions to bj called
up three days prior to the time at which
they proposed to call them. In thU way
only could they be properly dockJtcd.
In the case of Edward Rosewater against
State , on appeal from JudgeScott's ' court ,
leave was granted to file the fame brief that
was filed In the case of Perclvnl against
State. It was held that the tame points were
involved In the former as In the latter. The
state was given ten days In which to flic Its
brief In this case. The case of the Commer
cial National bank of Omaha against Mer
chants' Exchange , bank was passed to the
February call cf thedocket. .
Jndga Post has Iwued an order suspend
ing the scntcnc3 of Imprisonment In the case
of the State against Peter C. Boasan , alleg
ing that hs found there was probable error In
the- court below. Boasen was chairman of
the Board of Supervisors of Kearnty county.
Ho was ordered committed to jail and to bo
kept In clos > confinement by Judge Beall
until heshould sign , execute and deliver
certain warrants drawn against the general
fund of the county. The capo ID an old one ,
and arlsss out of the propojed condemnation
of a road In Kearney county. Owners of the
land traversed by tha road obtained Judg
ment against , the county In Injunction proceed
ings for $1,200. Boassn refused to sign the
warrants , alleging that the Judgments se
cured were , erroneously entered up by the
court , and he was , accordingly , sentenced
by Judge Btall for contempt.
This morning the case of the State against
ex-Treasurer Hill was called up en the mo
tion of the state for a new trial. The hear
ing of argument on the motion was set for
tomorrow morning ,
There will bo no decisions handed down
until Thuralay next. At that time Judg ;
Post will assume the chief Justiceship and
the court desires all opinions filed this term
to be rendered under one chief Justice.
Th ? committee appointed to make the at
tempt to secure the Grand Army reunion for
Llncln Is moving In the matter with con
siderable enthusiastic earnestness. A sub
committee has been appointed to canvaso the
city and solicit subsci Iptlorrs to th ? neces
sary guarantee fund of $5,000. The com
mittee was named as J. L. McConncll , J. E.
Miller , H. Herpolslielmer , Henry Mayer , R.
W. Johnson , 0. W. Webster , C. H. nudge ,
C. J. Jones and Al Hargreaves. Quit ? a
number of prominent merchants have already
subscribed sums ranging from $50 to $200
each.
Captain Billlngsloy is In Omaha looking
after the Interests of ths Reck Island Rail
road company In the suit against It for
right of way damages through the Davenport
property In the Antelope .valley. The suit
is now being trie ! in the fe'deral court.
Governor Holccmb's private secretary , Benton -
ton Maret , hag returned from Texas , where
lie has ben visiting flurlng the past month
with Mrs. Maret , While absent he vls-
IteJ the principal cities of the Lone- Star
state. Ho left Mrs. Maret at Houston , wher ?
fho will probably remain for some time for
rer health.
Omaha people In Lincoln : At the Llndell
E. A. W. Snell , A , J. Wilson. At the Capital
Judge C. R. Sott , J. C. McKell. At ths
Lincoln D. B. Welpton , E. A. Holyoke , C.
I. Chaffeo. C. B. Horton , C. E. Skldmore ,
J. 1C Goodwin , A. R. Talbot , James M. Orr ,
Mia- ) Emma Blakeley , J. C. Cowln. E. W.
Slmeral , W. D. McIIugh , M. A. Hall , J. E.
Congdcn , E. M. Bartlett , Guy It. C. Read , J.
D. Sohamp.
GAUD 1'AIITY AT MMIItASfvA CITY.
lllMH Florence * AVllmm EiitcrtnliiN In
Honor of MiHN Henry of CoIiimlniH.
NEBRASKA CITY , Jan. 7. ( Special. )
Miss Florence Wilson entertained at cards
ast evening In honor of her friend , Miss
Mary Henry of Columbus. Miss' Blanche
Davis and Allan Wilson carried off the
lonors. The guests ; Misses Emma Schncl-
ler , Sine Pass , Mary Wilson , Mary Rolfe ,
Blanche Davis , Gertrude Sousley , Eve Staf
ford , Olga Blschof , Lllllo Blschof , Lllllo
Wllhelmy , Rcba Duff , Florence Clark , Ger-
rude Warren , Clara Allan , Dora Davis ,
Jeorgla Welmer , Florence , Fan and Lou
Wilson , and Messrs. Harry Mollrlng , Mar
tial Hucklns , Harry Rolfo , Ted Whltten ,
Tred Rottman , Wlllard Harding , Edwin Duff ,
Bert Hershey. Fred Ellis , Allan Wilson ,
Clarence Rosa , Ed Lorton , Fred Hoebel ,
lerbert Price , Will Wright , Lester Plattner ,
.eorgc Kldd , Morris Reed and Leon Wll
helmy.
The members of the orchestra called upon
heir lender , Prof. Marlagcr , last evening
nd carried Into execution a carefully planned
urprlse party. The professor was busy up-
talrs at the tlmo ot their arrival , and the
Irst Intimation ho had of their visit was
he sound of one of his best compositions
endered by the entire orchestra.
A. O. Swift , who has for twenty-six years
icon employed In Uio p6stoHcc ( In this city ,
cstcrday received his commission as Inspec-
or of postofllces , nnd will assume the duties
f bis position at once. Emmons Rolfo has
> ecn promoted to the position of deputy post
master and Fred A. V. Carey appointed as
lading clerk.
The funeral of the late Major J. W. Pear-
mn was held from the Grand Army of the
tepifbllc Memorial hall yesterday afternoon ,
'he ' sermon was preached by Rev. J. B.
ireen , and a largo number of sorrowing
rlonds followed tha remains to tbelr last
cstlng place In Wyuka cemetery.
'MJGITIVK aiOOHI < : GROWS HOLD.
with < he Child Whom He IH
ActMiNeil of ANNnuItliiK.
PLATTSMOUTH , Neb. , Jan. 7. ( Special
'olegram. ) Alonzo Moore waa arrested hero
arly In August last on the charge of assault
pen the IC-ycar-old daughter of Fred Patter ,
postmaster of Rock Bluff , and was placed In
he county jail without ball to await trial.
lo managed to escape November 12 , since
vhlch tlmo ho 1ms successfully eluded the
Ulcers , although he haa not been further than
Ifty miles from hero at any time , He went
o the home of the girl late last night and
nduced her to accompany him , and the tweet
; ot Into a buggy anJ drove off , leaving no
race ay to their course. Reports from the
lelgliborhood of Rock Bluff are to tbe effect
hat threats are being made If Moore Is cap-
ured he will be roughly dealt with. Extra
irecautlon la being u&ed by the olllcora to
irotcct the prisoner In the event that ho Is
ifought back. _
Kiitertnliic'il lit CardM ,
PLATTPMOUTH , Jan. 7. ( Special. ) Mrs.
C , II. Snyder entertained twelve of her lady
rlcnds this afternoon at 1 o'clock luncheon.
'he tables were decorated with roses. Cards
urnlulu-d entertainment for the rest of the
ftcrnoon. The ladles present were ; Mes-
nmes Charley Parrnelee , T , P , Livingston ,
[ . N. Dovey. Tom M. Patterson , Byron
lark , J. M. Craig , Karncct Wagner. Harvey
) . Travlu , George Housewortu , O , S , Guild
nd J , L , Mulllrgan ,
I'oimlUtii
LEXINGTON , Neb. , Jan. 7. ( Special. )
The popullttt contest against W. C , May , who
vaa elected county clerk by sixteen majority ,
roved to be a sad disappointment to Its
rlglnatora. Thirteen preclncto were can-
asuscl before County Judge Pierce , resulting
n three voU-a Increase In May's majority. At
ot tha , proceedings OlJUanj oj _
U L ) U
We have intulc n largo purchase of Woolen Hose at a prlco
less than the cost of the material anil place them on sale Mon V ?
day morning. They are divided Into two lots and we offer
them at
7J
Among the 15c tot yon will fnul the best heavy all wool socks ,
seamless with Double Heels and Toes also lltjht and line
grades not a pair in the lot which retail ordinarily for less
than 25c , and the great majority of them worth tip to 40c.
The 25c lot contains some of the choicest half lio.se of fine
wool and cashmere for which yon pay regular from 40 ; to (10c.
This Is the opportunity for yon to lay in your next winter's
supply of socks.
PP.
IFROM
DIRECT FROM THE TANK
No Holler. No Stcnni. No
BEST POWKIl for Cora and Feed Mills , Haling
liny , Uunnlug Separators , Creameries , &o.
OTTO GASOLINE ENGINES
Stationary OP Portable.
1 to 120 H. P. 8 to r,0 II. I' .
Semi for Catalogue , Prices , etc. , describing work to lie clone.
OTTO CAS ENGINE WORKS
33il < fc IVuliiut S H. . " -
Kearney , who appeared for the contestant
made a speech dropping the contest. Many
changes occur In the court hcuoj olllces Jan
uary 9. Judge Pierce , who has held the ofllco
of county judge In Daw-son county for twenty-
two y ars , retires to make room for Roberts
of Gothenburg.
CONCLUSION 0V THE M'ICEXNAN CASK
Iteiinirrlod < o HI * Former Wife After
ElKht Vfilt-H.
FREMONT , Jan. 7. ( Special. ) Charles Me-
Kcnnan was married Saturday to his former
wife. About eight years ago MclCcnmn dis
appeared and had not been heard , of by any
of his friends cr relatives In this vicinity
until he turned up at his former homa In
-Elkhorn township , near Arlington , a few
w-ooka ago. About three yearatafter his dio-
appearauco hlo wife got a divorce from him
on the ground of desertion. She wag much
surprised at his return , but glad to ses him
once more. His second courtship was brief
and Saturday afternocn they wcro remarried
at Arlington by Rev. Mr. Stelmbaugh of the
Methodist church. Mrs. McKennan Is a
daughter of John Close , an old resident and
ploaecr farmer of Elkhorn township.
TO SUI3 THE OXXAUIJS.
Uoilsc County SiiKar li 'ct 1'i-oiluc'frn
Not SatlMlleil.
FREMONT , Jan , 7. ( Spaclal. ) Tlie
smaller sugar bexst raisers have called a
meeting for Saturday evening at the court
house , at which It is expected action will
be taken on bringing suit to enjoin the pay
ment of the state bounty to the Oxnards.
The probability Is that Judge Maxwell will
be employed. Actions are likely to bo
brcught against the companies for not ful
filling the terms of their contracts. C. W.
Sheldon today received returns on a' car
load of beets he shipped. Ho received $ C.3S
for nearly twenty-two tons of beets , the
company charging him extra for unloading.
Cl-arles Munzel received $21 , so ho says , for
three cars of beets.
lU'foiL MoHlcr'M Kitiieriil.
NORTH LOUP , Neb. , Jan. 7. ( Special. )
Tha rcmaliiB of Byron Hosier , accompanied
by his widow and son , arrived here last
evening from northern Wisconsin , and were
Immediately taken In charge by a commit
tee of the Matoiilo fraternity and Intorrcd
In the North Loup cemetery , Mrs. Mosler
has a number of relatives resident In this
vicinity with whom she will make her future
home.
While the inhabitants of other portions of
the union are floundering In mud and having
their cattle and other property swept away
by destructive floods , or are shivering with
agony from the Intense csld , the citizens
of this favored cllmo are congratulating ono
another en having cast their lot In a coun
try where the roads are as smooth and
solid as tbe best macadamized street , and
where the sun Is almost constantly shining
with all the glory of June , With the genial
and comfortable warmth of the solar rays
making mere existence a pleasure beyond ex
pression , It Is not difficult to ee why all
oldsr and most of the newer settlers "stand
up for Nebraska. " The mercury stood at
60 In the Rhado today , and this Is no excep
tion. i
Fn Ill-it to Kilo IllH II o nil.
GRAND ISLAND , Jan , 7. ( Special. ) A
special session of the county board will beheld
held tomorrow for Iho purpose of acting
upon the bond of Treasurer-elect Thomsson ,
who neglected to file his bond at the regular
meeting of the board last week. Deputy
Sheriff Depue was out today summoning the
members of the boarJ. Should the board
fall to have a quorum for any reason tomor
row , the time for the treasurer-elect to qual
ify would have passed.
The Pacific Hose company band Is ar
ranging for a series of popular concerts. The
band lias given the people of Grand Island
free open air concerts for the past three
summer seasons.
Iu 1'liitte I'cr/Hoiiiil Mention.
LA PLATTB , Neb. , Jan. 7. ( Special. )
Wllllo Crlpln has returned from an extended
sojourn In the southern part of the state.
Merchant O'Leary IE erecting an extensive
storehouse for the use of Ice.
The protracted meeting at the Free Metho
dist church will begin Wednesday evening.
The pastor In charge , Rev , Mr , Adams , will
bo aided by Evengellst D. Meyers ot Slien-
andoah , la.
The Platte river Is solidly frozen over , and
clear Ice from eight to ten Inches In thick
ness may now bo obtained ,
Flyer Dulaycil Ni-nr Vnllry.
FREMONT , Jan. 7 , ( Special , ) The west
bound flyer , No. 1 , was brought to a eudden
stop this morning ten miles west of Valley
by a wag n heavily loaded with corn , wlilch
had stuck on the crossing A colllilon was
narrowly avoided. The train crew and a
number of passengers turned out and backed
tlie wagon off the track.
Novel Social Rvriit at Ilfldi-clli.
HILDRBTH , Neb. , Jon. 7. ( Special.-A )
very pleasant social entertainment wav given
Saturday evening by Mr , and Mr * . Charles
B. Sainuclaon at their home. Ten couples
were Invited , A novel feature of the event
was that each lady was requeued to bring
the husband of some other lady and the pro
gram was carried out without a hitch auJ
was the occasion of much merriment.
ItellcvmC'ollriio O
BELLEVUB , Neb. , Jan. 7. ( Special. )
nellsvuo college opened today with a largo
attendance and the prospects for the com
ing term are good. President Kerr , who Is
In the cast In the Interests of the Institution ,
Is meeting with success.
Mrs. L. M. Glittery , principal , and Mlsa
Jessie Flynt , primary , attended , the State
Teachers' association last week and are very
enthusiastic In tliclr praiseof the same.
Miss Olllo Durtch gave a leap year party
at her homo ThurtOay evening. About
twenty guests were present.
Miss May Drown of Dunbar , Neb. , Is the
guest of Miss Jennie Wallace.
Mrs. G. nhoacls , Plattsniouth , Miss Slichla
and sister , Omaha , were In town Sunday.
I ti Nil rii n e < > Coiimaii } ' KlcrfN Olllcor * .
CLAY CENTER , Neb. , Jan. 7. ( Special. )
The Clay County Mutual Insurance com
pany held the annual meeting here today.
The reports showed the condition of the
association was very favorable. The follow
ing ofllcers were elected : President , A. M.
Lathrop ; vice president , H. E , McDowell ;
secretary and treasurer , J. W. Isracleon.
fr Corn TliIeveH Captured.
FAIRIJURY , Neb. , Jan. 7. ( Special. ) Last
nlglit Sheriff Mlndenhall captured John and
Charley Henry while In the act of stealing :
corn at McLucas Bros. ' fesd yards. The boys
are 19 and 13 years old respectively. Mc
Lucas Ilros. have lost considerable com lately
by theft and kept watch last night.
Siiniliiy School Ollli-crH Ijlcutoil.
WILCOX , Neb. , Jan. 7. ( Special. ) The
Congregational Sunday school elected ofllcers
yesterday as follows : Supsrlntendcnt , G. D.
Coutantj ass-lstant , Mrs. llesslo Marsholer :
secretary , Mlsa Grace Wllke ; treasurer , Mlta
Stella Tlllmnn ; librarian , Carl Olandcr ; or
ganist , Miss Llda Kenedry.
Miirilrrrr AValUcr InilllTc-rriit.
LEXINGTON , Neb , , Jan. 7. ( Special. )
The news of Murderer Walker's resplto was
received by the prisoner In his usual Indiffer
ent manner. It Is tlu general opinion hero
that the reprieve was granted to allow tlmo
[ or another examination as to Walker's mental -
tal condition.
_
*
Odd Fcllou-H' Social at AHliIaiul.
ASHLAND , N b. , Jan. 7. ( Special. ) The
entertainment given at Odd Fellows' hall last
night by the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lowa nnd Daughters of Rchokah wao largely
attended. Refrcshinentu were served at 12
o'clock.
JlniiK'H Want SOIIIK Iloiiiln.
FREMONT , Jan. 7. ( Special. ) In reply
to a circular of Inquiry ucnl out by eastern
parties the four national banks of this city ,
through the Fremont clearing house , Imv *
agreed to take ? GO,000 of the new loan ,
AVcnltliy Stock Dunlcr Di.-nd.
RANDOLPH , Neb , , Jan , 7. ( Special Telegram -
gram , ) Robert Wadsworth , a wealthy and in-
lucntlal stock dealer living ten mllcu south of
Randolph , died of paralysis today ,
One Minute Cough Cure Is a popular rcmed/
or croup. Safe for children and adults.
Tliu Iliirllneton'H KIoiri-Ht Tr ; < ! ii
to Lincoln Is faster than the fastest train of
uny other line ,
Four trains dally 8:30 : n , in , , 2 ; 15 p , mt
4:35 : p. m. and 7:05 : p. m.
Tickets ut 1324 Faniom St.
DHSI ) .
LRAIIY ncnnla , eldest eon of Mr. nnd Mm.
Dennltt Ix-arv , need 1 % yenra , 3 montlm. bcrv >
Icon ut n. lcleiiuf , JKOfl H. 30lh Ave. liiteunenl
I'ocoBt I-nvvn.
UMl'lIIJItSON-JoscpIiltiP , Jan. 7 , 1800 , wife of
John IJniplicrHon , nt her lulu rrplilcnco. 101 ! >
Bouth Tenth Btrcct , l''UMPrnl Thuisiluy , January
Sill , 1SSO , ut 2 p. m , , tu rroapca HIM ct'inrturr.
WAUCnU-JCBBio L. , cliiugliUr of n. II. nnJ D.
A. Wullier. nt Florence , JsVli. , .Inmiury 7. aged
13 years , 3 muitlia. runcinl 'J'liinmljy ut 2 p , in.
Awarded
Highest Honors World's Fair , , ]
DR , ' .
-r ' 1
CREAM
BAKING
POWOTR
MOST PERFECT MADE.
A pure Grape Cream of Tartar Powdjrr. Fre *
from Ammonia , Alum or any other adulterant , .
40 YEARS Tim STANDARD ,