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SOME OF THE PUINCirAL OFFICERS AND LEADERS OK TIIH NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE TUAT
I TKCOLN. Jan. 7. 8rwclaJ Corre
IX I londence- Thirty-eight of the
I I inft momhorn nt the hoUHO and
seven of the thirty-three Sfnators
In the twenty-ninth Nehraaka leg
islature were memhera of thewe .respective
l)odiis two years ago and the per cent of
old loginlators this year, men who have
served in session prior to this or the one
In ltM3. Is large. This and the fuct that
there are but nine fusion or minority mem
bers of the present leglulature are two of
Its most dlstlngulxhlnK fvaturefl. The sen
ate In solidly republican, the nine demo
crats and populists being In the house.
While It is too early to draw an accurate
parallel between the personnel of the pres
ent and last membership "on the face of
the returns," as the politician would say,
the present membership bears a high de
gree of Intelligence and gives promise of
an honest administration of the people
business.
Nebraska has learned by experience to
judge subsequent event largely jupon the
basis of the organisation of Its legislature.
If certain ulterior Influences dominate and
dictate In the Selection of the officials of
the house and senate It Is a safe prediction
that the same outside Interests will control
the deliberations of the seFtlon. If the
members do their own organising, the mem
bers, experience has taught, will continue
to transact the business for which they
were elected untrammelled by lobby Inter
ference and corrupt practice.
House Beta Hlarh Standard.
Freely and generally Is It admitted this
year that the house, In Its organisation,
has set a standard of independence which
few Nebraaka legislatures have attained;
established a precedent which if followed
by future legislatures must inevitably re
flect honor and credit upon the member
and the state.
"Will the house prove Its record?" la the
question now. And the confident belief Is
It will.
Aspersions have been cast upon the sen
ate even this early, but they are spurned
by members of that body and other close
observers who maintain that, as In the
lower branch of the present legislature, the
railroad and allied Interests will ,not have
the easy sailing they have had In certain
ather legislatures and hope to have In this
on.
The venerable man selected as president
pro tern of the senate, certainly, by his
part service as a legislator, gives no war
rant for ndverse criticisms. William H.
Jennings, the oldest man of the upper body,
enjoy the confidence of every one of his
colleague; not only that, but he Is held
In the highest possible esteem by his con
titutenta, for proof of which It Is only
necessary to recall that nominated by the
republicans, he was endorsed by the popu
list and democrats and therefore ent to
Lincoln by a unanimous vote of his dis
trict. That all Interests will be fairly
treated by 8enator Jenning a' the tem
porary presiding officer of the senate Is not
questioned by anyone who knows the man'.
Indeed, It Is the popular opinion that,
while differing about as widely as two men
could In personal characteristics, the pre
siding officer elected respectively in the
house and senate this year are men pf the
highest type of Intelligence and honor. In
George L. Rouse, the new speaker of the
house, one finds admirably mingled the es
sential elements of a typical reformer;
frank, courageous and aggressive, forceful
In speech, determined In action, a parlia
mentarian of faultless precision, large of
frame and quick of Intellect, this Ideal
lawmaker from Hall county, a speaker,
presents a picturesque figure. He is not
an experiment; his record is made, the
event of four preceding legislatures sup
plying ample evidence of what he Is and
what he may be expected to do. Never yet
has he worn the filthy tag of a corporation
tool, been branded as ought but a devoted
servant of the people's Interests, nor tailed
to set for his many colleagues a high
standard of statesmanship. Having been
elm-ted speaker, not by, but in spite of cor
poration influence. It whs a surprise t j
none that Rouse enunciated In his maiden
speech before the house Wednesday, a clear
cut policy of reform retrenchment and
eoonomy, business on a business basis.
If not a aggressive In speech or action
as the presiding officer at the other end
' of the long corridor In the state capltol
building. President Protem Jennings of the
senate 1 regarded a u safe and sune
sen-ant of the people. He Is constructed
on a different plane than Rouse. Cool,
calm and conservative, mellowed by age
and tempered by experience, hi words
come with less apoutanlety, but with a
plritof deep conviction, and his action Is
lea potent, but Just as sincere. And so It
I a happy and refreshing picture that is
held up before the people of th old An
telope slats who have been looking for
tmo men In these Important position la
whom they could behold combined th
and Purposes of the Present
- 1 " -1 1 ...... . -
TJutcnant Governor MeQIlton.
needfi.l qualities of unflinching manhood
and sterling Integrity.
Splendid Example far Others.
Wlii.t splendid examples for the remain- .
der cf the membership!
One unique feature of the senate person
nel i its youthfulness, as a whole. The
average use In less than usual. Not near
as many "old men" as last term. The
number of young men Is much greater.
"What a bright lot of young men," re
marked a close observer Wednesday, whn
the senators filed Into the house for the
Joint session to prepare for-the inaugural
Thursday. Following closely upon the
heels of the Imposing appearing lieutenant
governor, were Senators W. A. Meserve of
Knox, Sheldon of Cass and Dlmery of But
ler. They looked like mere boys.
The senate has three members of the last
houm former Speaker J. H. Mockett, Jr.,
of Lancaster, R. W. W. Jones of Otoe and
E. K. Good of Nemaha. They were oil
prominent In the house and doubtless will
be In the senate. The "silver-tongued
Cicero," of the senate two years ugo. Sena
tor (Judge) Wall, Is still there, and so the
galleries may look forward to many a de
licious season of combined laughter and
shedding of tears, for the Judge can tickle
the risible or touch the lachrymose
glands about -the best of anyone who has
served his state as a legislator for many a
day. In Senator Cady of Howard the peo
ple expect to find a strong figure. Senator
Fries of Valley, defeated by Jennings for
president pro tern, Is un active leader.
Douglas county's trio, Gibson, Saun
ders and Thomas, ha made a good
Impression and is looked to for more
than perfunctory service. Saunders was In
the senate last time and became very popu
lar with his colleague. He is a man who
works more with his mind than his mouth,
and that is what commends more legisla
tor than it condemn. Senator Glffan is
back In hi qld place, representing more
torltory up in the northwest than most
New England governors or legislatures
combined. The senator 1 a steady worker,
but allows nothing to worry him. Bcghtol,
who U serving his second term from Lan
caster, Is entering upon the work with far
more aggression than he did when he was
a new member two years ago.
Uatrnt Governor MeGUton.
Lieutenant Governor MeGUton, one of the
talleM, most handsome and popular men In
the state, will again honor the senate as It
presiding officer. Mr. MeGUton is one man
who And greatest enjoyment In hi work.
He throw his soul Into it and no member
on t:ie' floor of the senate watches with
more interest than he the details of every .
transaction. MeGUton commands the high
est Mlmiratlon of the senate and by his
very force of character compels the best of
order. He and Senator Jennings, who ap
pear together in the accompanying cut,
form an excellent combination for ruling
tiplrl of the upper branch of Nebraska's
law-snaking body. '
Secretary Wheeler showed two years ago
how essential to the proper performance of
Celebrate Twenty-Five Years of Happy
alRS. HENRY KILLER.
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Douelas of Rock. First Assistant
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1 1
IN ONE OF THE HOTEL LOBBIES BEFORE THE SESSION CONVENED. Photo by a Staff ArtiBt.
business I a capable corps of officers. He
Is promoted one notch this year and, sur
rounded by an able set of assistants, hi
first deputy being M. J. Greevy of Omaha,
who is fitted by experience In business life
for the position he fills.
The thirty-eight members of the present
house who rferved In that body two year
ago are these: Hogrefe, Cravens, Wilson,
Cassell, Deles Dernier, Jahnel, Roberts,
Jouvenat, Charles Anderson, Harmon, At
wood, McLain, Burgess, Holliett, McClay,
Warner, Stetson, Robblns, Cropsey, Detrtck,
Meradith, Cunningham, Caldwell, Flshback,
Saddler, Ferrar, Rouse, Coat. Douglas,
Currle, McAllister, Bartoo, Copsey, Davis,
Knox, Bacon, Perry and, Junkln.
Dona-las Oae of the Leader.
In this list are some strong men.. Doug
la of Rock county, was one of the powers
lii the last house, and It Is believed will
be In this one. Douglas Is a tireless
worker, a keen thinker and effective de
bater. Tenacious but tolerant, he Is a
formidable foe in the arena of forensic
combat. Douglas was one of the leaders
In the framing of tliu present revenue law
in the last legislature. After he had helped
draw it up he took (he flour in its defense
kENRV 1ULLER
H
m
entertained a large company of
friends ut the Metropolitan club
Saturday evening in commemora
tion of their silver wedding an
niversary. The hall was redolent with
floral decoration suitable to the occasion
und the banquet room was made especially
beautiful for the auspicious event. Mr.,
Henry Hlller and Miss Rosa Rlegelmaii
were united in marriage in Des Moines,
la., January 7, 1880, where Mr. Hlller was'
at the time engaged in the mercantile busi
ness. In 1M6 they removed to Omaha,
which has since been, their home. Imme
diately upon their settling in Omaha, Mr.
Hlller embarked in the dry goods business,
"which he conducted very successfully for
a number of years. Then disposing of that
business to an advantage he engaged in
the wholesale liquor business, establishing
the house which bears his name and has
continued In it since. Long a resident ut
Omaha, he has constantly been Identlllrd
with the city's advancement and ranka
high among Omuhu's muji public spirited
and 'progressive citizens. Four children
have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs.'
Hi Her, and they still make their home
under the parents I roof. Saturday even- '
lug's event was taken advantage- of by
Mr. and Mrs. Miller's' friends to attest
their love and regard with a large iiumlwr
of handsome pieaeuts. The evening was
given over to a delightful reception. In
which Mr. and Mrs. Hiller were, wished
many happy returns of the day and sin
cere congratulations over their happy
wedded life of a quarter of a century. Re
freshments, both dainty and elegant, were
served during th evening, and the happy .
affair coivtlaued until a late hour. ', .
Barnard. Clerk of the House Wall. Currle of Dawes.
IS NOW HOLDING ITS SiSSSIONS
1 ' ' 1 jpm i
If S
and fought with the tenacity of a Spartan
until Its passage had been secured. Doug
las, until two or three days before the
present session convened, was regarded by
all factions as the next speaker of the
house, and It Is not too much to say would
have been had not some Indiscreet words
and deeds, for which he was not wholly
responsible, entered into the management
of his campaign at the last moment, as It
were. But Douglas took his defeat as a
strong, unselfish man might be expected
to, and by his attitude toward his victor
since the contest, has added to his wide
circle of friends and admirers. Rouse
having been nominated by the caucus the
night before, it was thought possible and
Indeed, rumored around quietly, that the
Douglas forces were still not ready to
submit and would make a fight on the floor
of the house. However, when the time ar
rived for the nomination ,of a speaker up
rose the graceful figure of the Rock county
man. Speaker Protem Windham of Cass
was in the chair.
"Mr. Speaker, ,v said Douglas, in a firm,
musical voice, "I wish to place in nomina
tion for speaker a man who has been
tried and found not wanting, a man who
will discharge the duties of the office with
credit to himself and honor to the house
and hla good wife
7
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Nebraska
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AX LINCOLN AND WHICH ORGANIZED FOR BUSINESS LAST WEEK.-l'Loto by a Staff Artist
i -, yi. , v i v
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V (T.v-
1
and state; a man in every sense of the
word eminently qualified for the place. I
therefore nominate for speaker of this
house, Hon. George L. Rouse of Hall
county."
Bringrs Forth Applaaaa.
This eloquent tribute frqm the Up of
the man who had waged such a splendid
contest for the speakership, brought forth
a round of applause, which was eloquent
in itself as Indicating the spirit of har
mony which had dawned upon the new
legislature.
Men who have been in or watched the de
liberations of certain other sessions of Ne
braska legislatures, are peering Into the
future of the present one with a feeling of
mingled apprehension and delight because
of "Joe" Burns' return to the floor of the
house from Lancaster county. This
"human cyclone" already has blown Into
atoms one of the biggest schemes which
probably will confront the member this
winter. It is nothing more or less than
the Douglas campaign for speakership. De
fying the Union Pacific-Northwestern ma
chine, whli h had thrown Its Influence back
of Douglas, to do "its worst," Burns set
out to encompass Douglas' defeat, and If
he didn't do It alone, certulnfy no other
Married Life
TfENRT ym.T.nm.
General
First Assistant M. J. Greevjr.
one man contributed more in that direc
tion than this ubiquitous son of Erin.
Davis of Uuffalo and Windham of Cam
are looked to as good balance wheels this
year. The former was in the house two
years ago and Ixith served, twenty-six years
ago and left good records. Davis; 'ast term
rendered splendid service on the finance
committee and doubtless will be placed this
year where he can give to the state the
benefit of his years of ripe experience a a
financier. Knox of Buffalo is another hard
working member. Two years he was chair
man of the committee that investigated the
Bnrtley cigar box mystery- Hogrefe of
Richardson is one of the quiet but hard
working business men of the house. Jouve
nat of Boone i another. Wilson of Paw
nee and Perry of Furnas, both of whom
were candidates for speaker; Caldwell and
Flshback of Clay, Cropsey , of Jefferson,
Ferrar of Hall, Roberts of Dodge, Dries
Dernier of Cass, all were active, but Uss
demonstrative than' some others, In the
esion of 1903. Howe of Nemaha, son of the
distinguished Church Howe, is one of the
prominent men among the new members.
Hunker of Cumins;, who iwas honored with
the nomination for speaker by the fusion
force, will be the leader of these nine men.
The other eight are Gerde and Lord of
Richardson, Bender . of Platte, Bolen and
'Fenlon of Butler, Jones of Polk, Bedford of
Holt and Mackey of Custer.
"Old Frankcrrle.
Frank Currle "Old Frank.", as he is af
fectionately known by his friends, Is one of
the unique characters of the legislature.
Currle was a member of the session two
years ago. He comes from the northwest
end of the state, hi postofflce being Whit
aey in the summer time and Crawford in
the winter, and represents enough territory
to make a good-slsed state. Currle Is Just
to years old, but he's a young as hi son
of 23, who Is private secretary to Congress
man Klnkald. He ia one of the member
who I working all the time, but doesn't
let It worry him, and when the day Is done
he hasn't any overtime chalked up against
the state. Currle think this is the best
world he ever saw and for that reason he
devotes himself and urges his friends to
enjoy it while the opportunity presents
Itself. Full of wit and good stories, Currle
Is most serious when It comes to the inter
ests of the republican party. He goes
around looking for chance to put In a plug
Curious and Romantic Capers of Cupid
f 1 ' i OW Miss Mary Ann Lawrence of
I - I Elmhurst, L. I., tbe possessor
11 Of 1500.000. after fifty years of
Ingle blessedness, became the
bride of her farm hand, John
Burkhard, a widower, is being discussed
with Interest by her friends and neighbors.
The bridegroom was employed as a farm
hand by the present Mrs. Burkhard's father
and upon his death continued to work In
this capacity for Miss Lawrenoe.
The couple are now living In a beautiful
tlO.OU) houee recently built and furnished
by the bride. It adjoins the tract that was
formerly the Lawrence farm, which within
the lost five years ha been cut up into
building lots and -sold at high figures.
About a year ago there were rumor that
Miss Lawrence and Burkhard were to be
married. These rumors reached the ear
of her two married sisters, who occupy
prominent positions In Brooklyn society,
and they called upon her Immediately to
know what all the talk meant.
"Nothing at all," answered Mary Ann.
"John Is a good man about the place, but
I hod never thought of him as a husband."
Nevertheless, last Sunday nlgbt she and
Burkhard went to the house of one of
Burkhard's sons In Brooklyn and were
quietly married.
Burkhard bas two daughters and two
sons, all of whom are married. He Is about
o years old, and has been a faithful and
trusted man on the Lawrence place for ten
years. t
Waata -Jovtn tat Out.
Rev. Kzra J. Riggs, paator of the Congre
gational church at Kensington, a small
town a few miles from Exeter, N. H., has
tendered his resignation to take effect at
the end of the present mouth. Mr. Klgga
bttlievee that the marriage service contain
some words that may Just as well be
omitted. He suggeats that the word
'love" and "obey" ! cut out of the serv
ice. He says; -
"It Is some time since the word 'obey'
has been practically eliminated from the
marriage service. With a view of reliev
ing th parties contracting marriage from
still further temptation to Insincerity I
would suggest that we also strike out th
word 'love' from the marriage service.
There Is. far mora reason for this than
tils' other. A woman could promise to
obey her husband and It 1 possible she
could do so In such a degree as the most
exacting husband might require. But when
Assembly
Becretary of the 8enat Whter.
for the party. In hi quiet, unobtrusive
way he slipped Into Omaha last fall and
went to work among a lot of men with
whom he has great influence and piled up
at least 300 votes In one lump for John L.
Kennedy , for congress. Few people knew
anything of this and probably Mr. Kennedy
never would had It not been necessary for
him to take a hand In order to complete
Curiie's plan. Currle Is a s rock man and
owns land enough to lay out several food
counties.
McAllister the Bachelor.
McAllister of Deuel, the only lawyer In
his county, la a bachelor and one of the
boet-natured men In the house. He is
a painstaking worker In committee and a
good debater on the floor. Lost session
for a long time It was thought he was a
farmer and It became a matter of general
comment that not many farmer or men
not accustomed to public speech could put
up as strong an argument as "Mac," and:
there was much amusement when It was
learned that it was "Mac's" business 19
talk.
One of the familiar figures In political
affairs of Nebruska is Paul Clark, whose
cut appears in this number. Mr. Clark
was once speaker of the house. He Is re
garded as a strong possibility- for congress '
In the First district to succeed Burkett.
What would the house do without John
Wall and Clyde Barnard?
That Is a question which few member do
not cure to try to answer, for thty do not
like to contemplate the loss of either man
As chief clerk and first assistant, re-
spectlvely, this pair forms one of the best
teams that has ever done the heavy work
In this or any house. Prompt and accu
rate in the discharge of their own official
duties, they are ever ready with accom
modations to any who may call upon them.
When John N. Westberg and some of hi
foolish friends of Omaha conceived th
strange Idea that he could beat John Wall
for chlefi clerk, and therefore put out of
office Barnard, men who knew something
of the situation simply smiled. And what
didn't huppen to Westberg was not worth
recording. It would have been far better
for the candidacy of Douglas for speaker
If he had formed an offensive and de
fensive alliance with Wall and Barnard-,
instead of letting the Impression get out
that he had tied up with Westberg.
WOOTAN.
a man and a woman promise to love each
other 'until death us do part' there Is no
certainty that they will be able to do a
they promise.
"It is evident that the marriage service,
as at present constituted, was intended, for
the Ideal marriage, but a ideal marriage
are comparatively rare the servlc proves
a mlilit in a large proportion of oases
What clergyman bas not felt the Incon
gruity of exacting from some people well
advanced In year a pledge 'to love and to
cherish,' when It wa evident the man
chief motive In marrying was the desire to
economise In household expense by pro
viding himself with a companion whose
keep would be less costly than the service
of a housekeeper? Or what mockery to re
quire a couple to pledge themselves to a
lifelong affection for each other when it I
only too clear that marriage ha been
sought solely because of some supposed
advantage of wealth or social position."
Fire Rreaka Ip a Wsddins;.
Frank Drew, a member of the Fort Worth
hook and ladder company, wa married th
other night to Miss Sallle M. Ruckman of
tluit city. At the special request of th
bride the ceremony took place at th cen
tral fire station, and Just when all wa all
In readiness the company was called out by
n alarm. The bridal party was broken up
for a short time, while the fire laddies mad
a brief run to the scene of a small confla
gration. On their return the ceremony pro
ceeded, Fire Chief Maddox giving away th
bride.
Hough Hood to the Altar.
Al Mcnnlflcld and Mrs. Hodge Page wero
married lust Monday nltjit, relates the
Oskaloosa (Kan.) Independent. Judge Davis
performed the ceremony. Through some
misunderstanding Mennifleld wa kicked out
of the home by Andy Hodge, son of th
bride, earlier in the evening, and went to
hi own home town out ot-humor and out
of the notion of marrying. The other boy,
however, went out and pacified him and gave
him such asKiirances lhat he came to town
and went through the ordeal. Andy ex
hibit new half-snlen on his shoes and say
the old ones were torn off when he kicked
his future pa, and declares that th latter
soared ten feet through the air. Andy
makes some dire threat yet, but It I
hoped he will be reconciled and p
will
reign.