t : :
I (Uebaaska
E Legislature
Start to Hedrrnt Plexlgea,
Member ot the legislature start
In Tuasday morning to re&ceM their
f lode; to the people by the introduc
tion e( measures oovertng the plat
form. In the Senate, Root of Cass, In
ttoduced two bills defining the duties
let the state railway commission and
ill xtng the salaries of the member,
'While In the home among the very
important bllla Introduced were the
'.following: For the taxation of raU
road terminals for municipal purpose,
toy Clark of Douglas; a bill for a state
primary, by Dodge of Dougksa: an an-Rl-lobbylsta
bill fixing a penalty of a
Ulne or Jail sentence, by Jenleon of
KJlay; an antl-lobbylsts bill, by hubert
pf Richardson; a 2-eent passenger
pate; a bill providing that a freight
kraln carrying passengers should not
run more than an hour behind the
nchedula: a bill to compel telephone
companies to connect their lines; a
resolution to request the attorney gen
eral to bring suit to enforce the pro
pujiosM of the maximum freight rate
law; a resolution by Harrison to re
faueat the attorney general to bring
quo warranto proceeding In the su
premo court to teat the eenstitutlenal
ptr of the adoption of the amendment
to tho ontitutien providing for the
tate railroad commission.
I In the senate Joe Burns, of Lancas
ter go a chance to orate when Wllsey
f FVonMer Introduced a resolution
providing a penalty of a jail sentence,
for lobbying. Burn bitterly opposed
the resolution and It went over fof
lane day, King of Polk thought the
measure too drastic. '
Committee were named In both
"houses.
Dodge Introduce Primary, Bill.
What Is considered one of the moBl
important measures lniroaucaa i iib
State primary bill, by Dodge of Doug
las. It Is the same measure miro-
duoed two years ago and later amend
ed to apply to Douglas county alone,
and became what waa known as Uje
Dodge primary law. The bill contains
the original provisions for a statewide
direct primary and does away wlh
conventions of every sort, save when
new parties are formed or when spe
cial elections are held. It also provide
For the registration of voters on tHe
brlmary date and the registration law
Will be amended to comply with this
Prevision. Some changes have been
lade to comply with the clauses that
,were criticised or held Invalid by the
supreme court, such as the matter ot
the tiling fee, which Instead of being a
(percentage of the emolument Is now a
nat sum for different offices.
f The primary election day has been
moved forward from Tuesday seven
neks to Tuesdaynlneweeks preceding
ic general election In November,
(when will throw the primary election
Vlate Into the last of August.
Shot at Lobbyists.
The question of dealing with lobby.
lets was precipitated In the senate at
khe morning session by Wllsey, of
Frontier, who Introduced this resolu
tlon:
1 Whereas. Lobbying Is a menace to
tegtslatlon and absolutely Indefenst
le, therefore be it
I Resolved, That any persr.n frequent
ing that part of the state house under
the Jurisdiction of the senate without
'apparent occupation may be arrested
iby order of the senate and brought be
fore the bar of the senate, questioned
under oath aa to his occupation, salary
and purp.ose. Other testimony may
-be employed and, if It be found that
uch persons are trying to Influence
rnembers either for or against any
(measure pending In this senate, they
hall bo confined in Jail until after
jthe session closes.
Resolved further, That If any officer
or employe of the senate shall try to
influence any member for or against
any measure, he may be tried before a
committee appointed tor mat pur
pose and if found guilty Bhall be die
charged from the service. Provided
(however, that nothing In this resolu
tion shall prohibit any man or cor
iporation, by themselves or their at
torney, from appearing before any
proper committee where any measure
Is pending, when such committee" Is In
session, knd present thslr side of said
question In a gentlemanly manner
After considerable discussion action
cn the bill waa postponed one day.
Senate DUls.
The following bills wsre introduced
Into the senate Tuesday: ,
By Thomas of Douglas. Providing
when two or more defendanta shall be
placed on trial together the state shall
'have the aame number of peremptory
challenges aa all of the defendants.
I By Thomas Prescribing a marriage
jfee of 13 to be charged by the county
Budge and turned into the county
treasury.
By Thomas Olvlng to county attor
neys power to summon and examine
jwitnest.es and to punish for contempt
for failure Or refusal to testify.
I
By Thomas Repealing the Fourth
f July pardon law.
I By Thomas Providing the road
eds of permanent roads constructs
nder the Inheritance tax law may b
1 feet .Instead of 12 feet wide and In.
reaslng the appraisers' fee to f S per
ay.
I By Thomas Providing for the tax
ing of commercial colleges and schools
conducted for private gain.
By Thomas Fixing the penalty for
khe crime of adultery of a fine of $300
or Imprisonment In the county jail r.ot
fto exceed one year.
By Thomas Providing for the Im
peachment of city and village officers
land giving Jurisdiction in such casus
to the district court
By ThomasAllowing street rail
way companies to own and operate
inUrurbun railways.
; By Saunders of Douglup Prohibit
ing the corruption of agents, servants
'.and employes In the relations to their
IniasteiH or employers and providing
la fine of $10 to 1500 or Imprisonment
jin the county Jail for not more than
tone year for violation,
j By Koot of Cuss Providing cas.js
shall not be reversed by the supreme
(court 'in technical error where th
whole record shows substantial Justice
has been done In the lower court.
By Hoot Giving the governor pow
er to discharge the superintendent i
ithe hospital for the Insano ut his dis
jcretlon. By Koot Providing for the receiv
ing by the county JudgA of legacies
land fees in the settling of estates und
I requiring a report of, the sumo to be
lmu.de.
! Py Koot Fixing tho qualifications
I of railway c.ornmlijsloners; fixing tliuli
jalarto4j $2,500,- year; providing for
la aeciVatyn't 11,306 a yar and two
jclergs at 11,200 a year each and trav
eling expenses.
j lly Root (living the state railway
commission power to regulate rates
and service and general control over
common carriers.
By Root Olvlng the givernnr pow
er to remove the. commandant of the
oldlers home at Mllford at his dis
cretion. By Root Taking away from the
board of public land and buildings
power to hear complaints against su
perintendents of public lmtltutlons.
By King of Polk To prohibit un .
fair discrimination In prices betwsen
Ifcerent localities and prescribing
penalties.
By Buck of Otoe Amending the
law as to the descent of property.
By Buck Providing that In case a
lfe dies intestate and without Issue
one-half of the estate shall go to ther
husband and one-half to her father.
By Bpparson of Cloy Making tents.
boats and wagons used for immoral
purposes nuisances.
By Buck Amending the law as to
the descent of property so that the
widow will receive one-half In fee
where there Is no Issue and one-third
where there Is Issue.
By Wllsey of Frontier Enabling
cemetery associations to condemn
land.
By Randall of Madison Amending
the law applying to forstable entry
nd detention.
By Ash ton of Hall Amending the
Inheritance tax law.
By Patrick of Sarpy Creating the
office f county highway commission
er. By Buck of Otoe Repealing the
wolf, wildcat and coyote bounties.
By A Id rich Redaclng passenger
fares to 2 cents and providing for a
hearing before the commission op the
reasonableness of the rate at the re
quest of any road.
By Aldrlch Defining the duties.
powers and qualification of the rail
way commissioners and the secretary.
By McKesson, at the request of the
state Insurance department- Provid
ing for fees to be paid b legal re
serve life Insurance companies.
Py McKesson Providing for th
publication of an abstract of the state!
menis or. foreign insurance companies.
By McKesson Providing for th
publication .of an abstract of state.
ments filed by domestic legal reservt
life companies.
By McKesson Providing for certifi
cate fees to be paid by acc)dAttr
sickness or accident and sickness In
surance companies.
House Rills. '
Following were the new bills Intro.
duced Tuesday:
By Fries of Howard A Joint reso.
lutton proposing to amend section I
article 8 of the constitution of - the
state of Nebraska, relating to the in
vestment of educational funds and
permitting Investment In county, mu
nicipal and school district bonds.
By Whltham of Johnson To re.
quire incorporated telephone compa
nies doing business In the state to con
nect their lines with the lines of other
Incorporated telephone companies, at
expense of county making request.
By Whitham of Johnson Reduc
tlon of passenger rates to 2 cents for
adulta and 1 cent for children under
12 yeara.
By Clarke of Douglas To prevent
employment of children under 14
yeara of age, except In specified caaes.
By Hcffernan of Cuming A per
son practicing veterinary for ten
yeara entitled to license without stand
Ing examination.
By Shubert of Richardson To pro
hibit professional lobbying.
By Fries of Howard Providing
levy of 5 to 26 mills for Improvement
of roads, and in case levy is 6 mills
not necessary to advertise for bids.
By Clarke of Douglas Terminal
taxation bill.
By Quackenbush of Nemaha Joint
resolution Instructing and directing
the attorney general to commenoe ap
propriate proceedings to enforce the
provisions of maximum freight rate
law.
By Jennison of Cluy Joint resolu
tlon proposing amendment to the con
stltution to create a pardon board.
By Dodge ot Douglas State prl
mary bill.
By Raper of Pawnee To empower
cities of the second class and vlllilgas
owning and operating electric light
plants, water works system, heating o
other municipal plants, to furnish
electricity, power, steam or other
product of such systems or plants to
any person or corporation within such
city or village.
By Jennison of Clay To prohlbi
counsel or agents or any other person
receiving a pecuniary consideration, or
state ofllcer or officers, their deputies
or employes. In matters affecting theli
pecuniary interests, from attempting
to innuetico members of the leglsla.
ture otherwise than by appearing be
fore the committees thereof, or by
newspaper publications, public ad
dresses or by written or printed state
ments, arguments or briefs!
By Shubert of Richardson To com
pel all trains carrying passengers to
stop the cabqose at depot platforms
and not to run more than one hour
behind schedule time.
By E. W. Brown of Lanceater
Providing for the formation of hu
mane societies and defining their pow
ers in counties.
By E. W. Brown of Lancaster
Puta city library of Lincoln unOei
general library act.
By Le of Douglas Amendment to
the constitution by adding a new Mo
tion to article 9 providing no suit may
Do brought to enjoin collection of taxes
until taxes have boon actually paid,
when a suit in recovery may filed.
By Culdlce of Saline To limit the
liability of villages for damages and
costs arising from defective streets,
alleys, sidewalks, parks or other pub
lic places In any such village, and to
define the proceedings neoessary to re
cover such damage.
By Culdlce of Buline When proper
ty owner falls to repair sidewalks
whou ordered by city he shall bo liable
for injuries received thereon.
By Armstrong of Nemaha To pro
vide a penalty for not cutting weeds
along county rouds.
Thu Corporal's I.oirle.
"Such roaMonlng," snld fJenernl P. D.
Orunt, In a military argument, "re
minds mo of the reasoning of old Cor
poral Saii(lliurf. i
"Corporal Sandhurst was one day
drilling a batch of raw recruits.
'"Why Is It.1 ho sahl, to a bright
looking chap, th:it Hie bhulo of your
sabre Is curved Instead of straight?'
"The blade Is curved,' the recruit
nnswered, 'In onler to give more force'
to the blow.'
" 'Xoii-ii'iisc,' sahl tho corporal. TUo
Mailt' is curved to tit tho scahhard. If
It was straight, how would you get It
Into tho curved m-hIiI.ii nl, you Idiot?'"
Washington Star.
'Out of Ibe Dim !.
P.elkhazzai'' attention bad I a .nlled
So tlie handwriting on tli wall.
"Look like a I' liiue.se laundry check,"
te nun!, cartdt'sfd.v.
But lie learned Inter that It was a
aflgb cbeck and that be was short weight,
xt
Fenr of n Japanese-American wr
pcrvnthw all the nations except Amer
ica and Jnpnn. New York Mall.
The nniurs of the new Spanish Cab
inet are familiar to those who buy tin
two-for n-qunrter brands. Wnslilnicton
Times.
If men spent half as much money on
philanthropy us they do on politics, this
would be a pretty nice world. New
York I'rcHB.
Wbnfs the matter with Kansas? This
time It Is thnt the ears of corn nre too
long to (fo Into the shellers. New
York Tribune.
President Roosevelt said that If the
simplified spelling did not prove accept
able lie would abaudor It. Well? Clrt
cago Tribune.
When there Is on appetite there Is a
way. in prohibition Kansas, it is said.
they sell beer In plugs, like tobacco.
New York Tribune.
It's astonishing what a lot of money
a man could have made If he had trust
ed to luck Instead of relying on Judg
ment. New York Press,
They are arresting Couui'llineu In
Pittsburg, for bribery. Well, If that's
going to spread what a time there will
be! Philadelphia Press.
Kljrbt McCarthys ran for office In
Boston, but only three vere elected.
The Hub should create core offices at
once! New lork Herald.
There Is no question of race suicide
with the head of the Mormon Church,
with his live wives mid forty-five chil
dren. Philadelphia Record.
Marie Corrlll Is convinced that mod
ern woman is not ready for the suf
frage. Certainly not. if she was she"d
have II. Philadelphia Inquirer.
If the President uses the trig slick on
the Lumber Trust lie may make It
abandon Its "say nothing, but saw
wood'' policy. New York Herald.
The woman who boldly declares that
she will ,Jlnd the North Pole Is well
aware that there Isn't u mouse In the
Arctic Circle. Philadelphia Ledger.
It .Is easy enough to become famous.
All you have to do la heave n rock at
marriage, the family or the Ten Com
manduieiits. New York Evening Sun.
' The name of the new jwHtninster of
Honolulu Is Knimhaklmohevn. it bents
everything how those Irish grab off nil
the political plums. New York Herald.
So rapid Is the inarch of prosperity
In the States of Washington and Ne
vada that the supply of fuel Is unable
lo keep up with It. Philadelphia Rec
ord. To spend $200,001) a year on clothow
Is an accomplishment, but It does not
.compare with the accomplishment of
spending only SHOO n year. New York
American.
it Is beginning to be suspected they
are manufacturing some of those high
waymen stories In Pittsburg just to en
able the towu to show off. Philadel
phia Press.
At any rate. President Roosevelt
having seen It, we can nt least feel
assured that the Panama one has not
been moved from Its anchorage. New
York Press.
Justice doesn't travel on leaden heels
In Center, Texas, where u criminal was
arrested, tried, convicted nnd executed
within the space of two hours. New
York Herald.
The undertakers at Unite have form
ed a combination and advanced the
price of funerals. That Is running the
trust business Into the ground. Wash
lnfcion Times.
A couple of hundred French Depu
ties left the Chamber when Hold de
Castellane came In. It would seeui
much simpler to put Honl out. New
York American.
Itoiii de Custcllane says his "matri
monial entanglement" has not lost him
a single friend. Of course, to lose any
thing one must first have had It New
York American.
Andreas Dlppel, the tenor, has been
robbed of fl.OOO worth of Jewels. With
this and the Caruso episode the opera
season may consider itself launched.
New York Mall.
Life seems to he made up of mowing
the lawn when there is no furnace to
he stoked, and when there is no mow
ing t Ik done of stoking the furnace.
New York Press.
President Roosevelt has nominated n
manufacturer of tabasco sauce for Civ
il Service Commissioner. Going to
make it hot for the spoilsmen! Phil
adelphia North American.
Secretary Bonaparte says that the
annual cost of the nary represents
only 1.33 per enpjta. By that method
of calculation a '.'N.OOO-word presiden
tial message divided among fst.OOO.OOO
men, women and children looks like
ts short an allowance. New York
World.
it now transpires that Senator-elect
Davis' name Is not Jefferson, but Jef
fries. Perhaps that uccounts for his
pugilistic proclivities, conversational as
well as otherwise. Washington Her
ald. The war lu Brooklyn over the extor
tions of the Beef Trust takes a queer
form. The mob smashes the butcher's
windows and then throws kerosene on
his meat. You can't seem to bust one
trust without issistlug another. New
Yolk World.
Judge Peter S. (irosscup of the I'lilt
ed Slates Court of Appeals lor North
ern Illinois, heartily agrees with tlm
view that judges should not be above
criticism. There are few more con
stant all-around critics. New York
Sun.
What Is needed to-day In America Is
another Webster w hoso voice can echo
from ocean to o(vuu: "And let the
sacred obligations which have devolved
on this goncratlon, nnd on us, sink deep
Into our hearts!" Philadelphia
Ledger.
SHELDON'S! ADDRESS
NEW UOVKRNOH OFFERS BVQ-
tiEBTIONS TO liAWMAKKRS.
HocununeiMls Action Along lino) of
Party Pledges and rrcatdeaiital
Vlowe Expressed During tho Cam
paign Deals with Railroad.
In the presence of an Immense
crowd of admiring friends and loyal
supporters, whose cheers were echoed
back by the boomlngof a cannon, Hon.
George Lawson Sheldon was Thursday
afternoon Inaugurated governor of Ne-
Draaka, the first native son of the
state ever chosen to occupy this Impor
tant position. The executive responsi
bilities slipped onto his broad shoul
ders gracefully and easily, and the
oheerlng of the crowd attested the be
iter, tno confidence reposed would not
be abused, while the dignified bearing
of the new governor, his carneatnees,
assured all the pledgns made to the
people would remain forever fresh in
his mind.
Following Is tho message delivered
by (Jot. Sheldon upon ble inaugura
Uon:
To the Senators and Representatives
Thirtieth Sesalon of the Legislature of
Neoraska: I am pleased to greet you
upon this occasion. I appreciate be
yond expression tho confidence th
people of Nebraska placed in me at
the last election. I appreciate deeply
tlie high honor thereby conferred up
on me, and I with to thank my friends
throughout the state for tho loyal and
enthusiastic support they gave mo dur
ing the campaign. I feet especially
grateful for the assistance and support
of the loyal Republicans and the Inde
pendent voters who belong to the oth
er political parties thon the one to
wnich l nave the pleasure of belong
Ing and by which I was nominated.
To tho members of the legislature I
desire to offer a few suggestions,
which I hope and trust will be taken
In the same kindly way and with the
same good will aa they are given.
You will remember that we are
pledged against extravagance and
bound not to raise any more taxes for
current expenses than will be neces
snry to conduct our state government
under the most rigid economy. The
total estimates for current expenses
during the next biennium made by
the heads of the several institutions
lare so large that It will be necessary
for you to lnvestlgnto thoroughly the
needs of these different Institutions
ibefore making the appropriations.
Promiscuous Junketing Is expensive
iand In the pant has not riven benefl
cial results. It Is, therefore, sincerely
recommended that thnt a Joint com
mittee be appointed for the purpose
of visiting the several state Institu
tions and inquiring into their actual
needs before the appropriations are
mode.
Core of State Finances.
The indebtedness of the state should
be deoreaaed while the state Is pros
perous. By an act of the last legisla
ture provision was made for the pay
ment of the outstanding Indebtedness
of tho state. That act will Insure the
payment of the debt within a few
years if future appropriations are kept
within reasonable bounds. The cur
rent expenses must be kept within the
Income of the state. It will not do to
increase the public debt at this time.
The constitution of the state will
not permit the permanent school fund
to be Invested In any other securities
than registered county bonds of this
state and United States and state se
curltles. Tho field for Investment of
this fund should be enlarged. There
are other forms of Investment equally
ns safe that would increase the Interest
return to the fund. If It were invested
in municipal bonds, school bonds, or
In Nebraska mortgages, the state
would be benefited on account of the
Interest being paid at home.
The 1-mlll levy will reduce the
floating Indebtedness of the state about
$300,000 each year. A large part of
tnis floating indebtedness has been
taken up by the state treasurer for
tho benefit of'jhe permanent school
fund. There wlfl be. therefore, about
$300,000 of the permanent school fund
each year to be reinvested on this ac
count alone.
It Is urgently recommended that
this legislature Bubmlt an amendment
to the constitution, so that the perma
nent school fund will not remain Idly
in tne nanus or the treasurer when
the state Indebtedness is paid off.
Times and conditions chance. There
fore It will be for the best Interests
of the state that this section of the
constitution be amended so that future
legislatures may determine from time
to time what class of additional secur
ities shall be available for the Invest
munt of tbls fund.
Taxation of Mortgages,
The new revenue law of 1903 has
brought about one of the most uniform
assessments of property ever had. But
there Is still urgent need for amend
ments which will provide for a more
equitable distribution of the burdens
of taxation among tho property hold
ers or this state.
Under the present law real estate
that Is mortgaged Is assessed for tax
atlon purposes at its full value to the
owner of the land without any deduc
tion whatever for the amount of the
mortgage. In addition to this, if the
.mortgage Is held by a resident of the
county or of this state the mortgage is
Also assessed at Its full value. There
,ls no good reason why a piece of real
estate tnat is eneumoeroii with a
mortgage should be burdened with
estate of the same character and value
estate of the samecharacter and value
'that is not mortgaged.
Again, under the law. If the mort
gage Is held by a non-resident of the
state, ana a great many or tnm are.
no tax Is levied against it because
mortgages are construed to be person
ial property. Personal property Is
supposed to be assessed where the
owner of the property resides. If do
mestic mortgages are to be taxed, then
certainly foreign mortgages should bo
taxed. The sensible thing to do is to
itax all mortgages, both foreign and
slomestic, as an Interest In real estate.
Being assessed as an Interest In real
.estate they would then be assessed for
taxation purposes where the land Is
land not where the mortgagee lives.
The value of the mortgage should then
ibe deducted from the the value of the
mortgaged estate and the owner of
the real estate assessed upon the equi
ty he possesses.
It is contended by many that the
result of such a law would Increase
tho rate of Interest because Nebraska
is not yet a creditor's state. If Buch
is tho case the possibility of an in
crease in the interest rato may be
avoided by permitting the privilege of
contract whereby the owner of the
iland may. If he chooses, pay the tax
on the Interest of the mortgage, He
icould afford to do thut nnd be none
the worse off thnn be Is at present.
itVrtalnly If all the domestic capital
thut Is available for tho Investment of
.mortgages is driven out of the state
non-residents may be expected to raise
the rate of Interest as they no doubt
will do when there Is no longer coin
petition by domestic capital.
During the past ten years we have
been bountifully blessed with good
crops and prices. The people of this
stats have been paying oft their in
debtedness and accumulating capital,
which should tie Invested ut home. The
present law discriminate against do
mestic capital, and in mv opinion It
is forcing the residents of this state to
Invest their cupltul In securities and
lands ot other atates. The present
system plainly Imposes a double tax
upon mortgaged paoperty, when the
mortgage Is held by a resident of this
state and to that extent it increases
beyond meuaure tho tax upon that
clasa of property. It is not fair tn the
residents of our state and it Is aralnat
good public policy to continue the per-
rdetrrac fiTtra of thu present law In
thla respect
.mnnsuon or jiel'ta.
Another amendment that is needed
to the re"" lw If one that will per
mit the "reduction of bona fide Indebt
edness. Under the present lew a man
wno is If oi ia uuea ror ail inn no
possesses and for all that he owqs.
The debtor class of property holders
should fM be compelled to bear extra-
ordlnar ouraens of taxation: Not
withstanding the fact that alfnost ev
ery othct ajate permits thfvfie3iiCtlon
of bona k debtl infr1fi form of
another, wc MfrHllll dlaVrlBBlnatlng
against the debtor class, t which is
neither fair, right nor Just.
Terminal Taxation,
Tho cities, towns and villages of
this state In almost all instances have
a high rate of taxation. It is impor
tant, therefore, that property therein
be equitably assessed. At present the
resident property holders pay a very
greater proportion of the city, town
and village ttxes, according to tho val
ue of their property, than do the rail
roads .which have their terminals
within the corporate limits. The rail
reads receive benefits from the cities,
towns and villages, and in return
should pay their proportion of the city.
town and village taxes.
Railroad Tax Evasion.'
It may be a debatable question
whether the great corporations of this
state have in the past been paying
their full snare of the taxes. Fnt the
Union Pacific and Burlington railroads
hare refused to pay in full the taxes
which have been regularly assessed
and levied against them for the years
1104. 108 and 1806. They are al
ready delinquent about $760,000 for
l)ft4 and 1(05. The refusal to pay
this year's tax will plaee them delin
quent over $1,000,000. Their action In
this respect Is not fair to the other
taxpayers of the state and Is wholly
unwarranted when past conditions In
the state are considered. The govern
ment gave bountifully of Its land, and
the people of this state in a great
many Instances voted bonds to help
build these railroads. Besides this.
there has never been any restriction
whatever placed upon them In the
matter of freight rate charges. They
have always up to the present time
charged what they pleased. It re
quires patriotism at times to support
snd maintain a stable government.
These great corporations, by their con
duct, apparently lack thnt noble qunl
Ity. It Is not strange that their con
duct hn vexed a patient people. No
doubt they would ask for the protec
tion of the state If their property wer"
In danger, yet they deny the right of
the state government to assess and tnx
their property as It assesses and taxes
all other property. Kverythlng that
can be done will be done to enforce
the collection of these delinquent tax
es, ard railroad property rn the future,
so far as I nm concerned, will continue
to be assessed at whatever teems to be
equitable and just.
The clUr-cns of Nebraska ennnot en-
Join the collection of a tax levied
sgnlnst their property, because they
are denied that privilege. Put rail
roads, being non-residents of the state.
seek relief through the federal courts.
Until congress shall pnss a law de
priving them of this privilege, they
probably will continue this practice.
It Is. therefore, recommended that a
Joint resolution be passed memorializ
ing congress to pass a law that will de
prive a non-resident from enjoining
the collection of a tax levied upon
property within the state.
Abolish the Iolihy.
The rreat corporations of Nebraska.
especially the railroads and the tele
phone companies, have In the past
maintained a strongly organized lobby
In Lincoln during sessions of the leg
islature. The presence of any kind
of professional lobbyists Is neither
needed nor desired. The corporation
lobbyists are usually men of high In
tegrity and sobriety, men of large ex
perience In the line of work, congen
ial, clever men, who, by their persistent
and able efforts, are able to accom
plish much for the interests thep rep
resent. The fact that during all of the
nrevlous history of this state no law
has been passed which has regulated
freight rates In any particular bears
witness to the effective work and in
fluence of a strongly organized rail
road lobby. It Is expected that this
lerlslature will pass such measures as
will forever put an end to ring rule in
Nebraska. It Is to be hoped, there
fore, that there will be parsed not only
an anti-pass law and a prlmaryelectlon
law, but that there will also be pass
ed a law that will prohibit profession
al lobbying.
Control of Telephones.
The use of the telephone as a means
of communication Is becoming general
In Nebraska. There are complaints
In many parts of the state of unreason
ably high rates and poor service, it is
therefore recommended that the rail
road commission, In addition to con
trol of railroads, be also authorized by
law to control telephone companies
and regulate the rates thereof.
Suggestions for Ttallrond Laws.
In regard to the railroad legislation
that you are about to enact, permit me
to offer these suggestions:
First It Is recommended that a law
be passed prohibiting any railroad
company from charging In the future
any more between points within this
state than were the charges on the first
day of January. 1907: compelling them
also to furnlsn to tne rauroaa com
mlssloners nil tariffs and classifications
In force on that date.
Second Inasmuch as the constltu
tlonal amendment providing for the
railroad commission does not definite
ly define the powers and duties of that
commission, a lnw should be passed
Immediately that will clearly, simply
and unmistakably define Its powers
and duties. Besides defining the duties
of tho commission, there should be
conferred upon It the power to prohlb
it rebates, special rates and dlscriml
nations of every sort to any particular
nerson, company, firm, corporation, or
leoallty: and power to change, or al
ter, any or all schedules, classifications
or tariffs that are In force on any rail
road In this state at any time, so that
the rates, fares and charges shall be
reasonable. Just and equitable. Let
this law be written so plainly that it
cannot be misunderstood, and with
such deliberation that it cannot be set
aside by the courts.
Third It Is recommended that you
deprive the railroads of the right to
enjoin the enforcement of a rate made
by the commission pending an appeal
to the state courts.
Fourth It is further recommended
that you pass a Joint resolution me
morializing; congress to pass a law th
will deprive common carriers from e
Joining the enforcement of rates made
by a state commission between points
within the state pending an appeal to
the federal courts.
I sincerely believe that It will be
for the best Interests of the state that
you give your immedlute attention to
the enuctment of lawn that will do
away with professional lobbying, that
will abolish the free pnss nuisance,
nnd thut will define the powers and
duties of the railroad commission, so
that the commission can get to woik
at once. There is great need in this
state for a reduction of freight nnd
passenger rates. The people need the
relief. The commission will naturally
await the action of the legislature.
For these reasons It Is essential that
this work lie dune as quickly ns a
cureful consideration of the subject
will permit.
Congratulates the People.
The people of Nebraskn are to bo
congratulated upon the the fact that
they have become awakened and are
determined to govern themselves. We
huve been elected to carry out a defi
nite program. It Is to be hoped that
the new deal w 111 be a just oi lt us
work together in harmony. It is sug
gested thnt all members of the Repub
lican party keep before tltein the plat
form that was adopted at the lant Re
publican state convention. Lt-t us not'
forget to fulfill our promises and our
pledges.
I realize somewhat the grave respon
sibilities that are about to be placed
upon me, and appreciate the Impor
tance of tho work thnt lies before me.
Having been elected without obliga
tions, except the trust I owe the peVple
of this slate a their purdic servant, T
shall endeavor in the administration of
tho affairs of our state to be guided
by what seems to be for the best inter
est of Nebraska and for the general
welfare of her people. I bear no malice
toward any one, npt even to the groat
corporations that nave so strenuously
opposed, and which probably will con
tinue to oppose, the establishment of
common Justice In this state. Their
fTgtits must be protected, cut when
they abuse their nrivileKes as (hc
have done In the past they roust b
held to strict account. The welfare of
our state demands that they must no
be put out of business, but that they
must be put out of Nebraska politics
Not a Crusade Against Wealth.
I' realize fully that this reform
movement Is not a crusade against
wealth, but rather a movement against
graft and greed, and abuse of power
It has for its object the establishment
In this state, from one end to the oth
er, of government by the people and
for the general welfare of the state
Legitimate Interests must be protected
Conspirators against the common good
and violators of the law murt bo pros
ecuted. The law of the land must pre
vail. 1 hope and trust that 1 shall have
the loyal support and the wise counsel
of the good citizens of this state. With
the light of their Intelligence, and win
the voices that God may grant ma, 1
hope and trust my administration nm
meet the expectation of the people of
ibis state who nave elected me.
PHRASE8 TOO OFTEN U8E0L
Prise ICeaay Written en the Babjest of
Overworked Word.
London Tit-Bits recently offered a
prize fcr the best contribution on
hackneyed terms used in writing and
speaking, and here Is the winning pa
per; It purports to be a law against
the use of wornout expressions:
Be it enacted by the king's most ex
cellent majesty, by nnd with the ad
vice and consent of the long-suffering
and sorely-aOllctvd reading public, and
by the authority of the same, as fol
lows: Any journalist, litteratueur, novelist,
penny-a-liner, or any other ink gllnger.
who, after the passing of this act, shall
write, print or publish, or cause to be
ritten, printed or published, any of
the following or similar hackneyed ot
overused phrases that Is to say, in at
hiding to the awful mystery of death
shall refer to "that bourne from
whence no traveler returns," or, In
mentioning a deceased person, shali
write of him or her ns having "shuf
fled off this cortal coil," or shall t9s-
Ignate the condition of the unmarried
ns a. "state of single blessedness," o
speak of a newiy-murried couple n
"the happy pair," or of a wife ns'"tbx
better half," or shall deny by. impli
cation an indisputable scientific fact
by asserting the possibility of a per
son's being "conspicuous by his ab
sence," or shall write with profane pet
the expressions, "a sight to make on
gels weep," or, in reference to physlca
attributes or peculiarities, shall us
nny of the following expressions
The hated breath," "the human forn.
divlue," "diluted nostrils," "willowy
forms," "arch smile," "daintily gloveC
hand," "flowing locks," "goldec
tresses," "delicately tinted lips," "the
inner man," or shall speak of the "pop
ular president," "the courteous gen
eral manager," the "succulent bi
valve," the "psychological moment,'
so near, yet so far," "last, but not
least," "a dull, sickening thud," "his
own inimitable style," "old Sol," "the
gentle light of the moon," "a cool mil
lion," "in a pool of blood," "smoking
revolver," "the rash act," or shall ust
any similar hackneyed expressions.
such persons shnll be guilty of a mis
demeuuor, nnd, being thereof convict
ed by public opinion, shall be com
pclled to pay away half of his salary
to the home for old jokes, and the de
linquent shall offer ample apology to
the public and agree never again to
infringe the provisions of this act
A FIERY FURNACE.
That Is What the New Urnwlngroom
of the Blanks Waa.
The Blanks have been very busy al
during the spring getting their uev
house ready for occupancy. They havt
had painters and paper-hangers anc
decorators nnd machinists In It foi
two months, and a few of these busy
people were still there dolug odd job
when the family moved in, one of tht
hottest days of last week.
To say thnt tho rooms were warm t
to use a foolishly Inadequate descrip
Hon. They were fiery furnaces. Even
Shndrneh, Meshach and Abedneg.
would have quailed before the temper
ature of the drawing room, a lofty, alrj
apartment, of which much in the way
of "coolth" nnd comfort had been ex
pected. All the windows were open anc
the nwnlngs adjusted, so the family
sat down ns oue man and looked Itself
In the face In despair.
"If It's going to be like this nil sum
mer we might as well go buck to out
tiny flat," mater-faiuilias said finally
In a chastened voice. "There's nothing
so deceptive to look at as houses, not
even servants or cherries."
"Thnt's true," assented the head of
the house, gloomily, as he laid his hand
on the gilt steam radiator, near whlvb
he was standing. Then he withdrew
that member with great suddenness
and an exclamation that sounded so
little pious that his better half looked
nt hltn reproachfully.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
"Matter!" fumed the wrathful head
of he hrWise. "Matter! why those Idi
otic workmen are testing the new fur
nace, and the whole house Is steam
heated." And it was. In addition to the 04 de
grees of temperature that were being
registered by the thermometer nt the
weather bureau the new furnace was
manfully sending up whole volumes of
warmth just to show what It could do
lu winter.
ril'teeu minutes later the fire had
been extinguished, nnd tlie drawing
room was trying lo regain a lost repu
tation for comfort and tcinperateuess
In ull things. Baltimore Nws.
Itoppa.
Tess Mr. Mugley has actually asked
Miss Passay If he might call upon her.
Jess You don't sny? I'll bet she's
got her bridesmaid picked out already.
Philadelphia Tress.
Somewhat Ikiffcrent.
Annette I thought you said thai
young Shallows had very little to sayT
Genevieve Yes, so I did.
Annette I found him quite talkative.
Uvacvicvt But that' another story.
WORK OF
CONGRESS
The Senate devoted Its two and a half
oura' session Thursday to the further
discussion of President Roosevelt's order
dismissing the negro troops of tbe Twenty-fifth
Infantry for "shooting up'
Brownsvlle, Texas. Senator Culberson
of that State defended the order, closing
with an impassioned statement of the po
rtion of tbe South on tbe negro ques
tion. Senator Foraker replied urieny,
urging speedy action on his resolution
for an Investigation. Senator Lodfe pro
posed an amendment admitting the Presi
dent's authority as commander in chief of
the army to take the action he did. On
motion- of Ssnator Hale the resolution
was given tbe right of way the following
Monday. Adjournment to Monday wss
taken. Immediately after the approval of
tbe journal ia the House the credentials
Of v. t. Unglebrignt oi me
fornia district to fill a vacancy causea y
the resignation of James Norris Gillett.
and Charles O. Washburn of the Third
MassachusetU District, vice Kockwooa
Hoar, deceased, were read, and these two
gentlemen proceeded to the bar, where
the Speaker administered the oath. No
quorum being present and no committee
being ready to report, adjournment was
then taken until Friday, after a fifteen
minutes' session.
.
The Senate was not In session Friday.
The "omnibus" claims bill, so-called, car
rying appropriations for claims under the
Bowman and Tucker acts, and miscellane
ous claims on which favorable reports
have been made by the war claims com
mittee, was before the House, and for
nearly five hours the merits of the meas
ure were exploited. Speaker Cannon an
nounced the appointment of Engolbrizht
of C-.'.ii'ornia to a place on the committee
pa mines and mining, vice Williamson
f Oregon, removed. The Speaker based
action on the ground that Williamson had
failed to attend a single session of the
Fifty-ninth Congress, lie has been con
victed of participation in land fraud? in
Oregon.
The Brownsville affair occupied most
of the time in the Semite Monday, the
principal discussion being on a resolution
offered by Senator Lodge providing for an
Investigation and by silence conceding the
authority of the President to tako the
action he did in dismissing colored sol
diers. Senator Gearin mnde an address
on the Japanese question, advocating a
resolution directing negotiations for a re
vision of the treaty with Japan. The
House passed a hill providing for a judi
cial review of orders excluding persons
from the use of United States mail facili
ties. A day in February was set apart
for eulogies on the life and public service
of Kockwood Hoar, late member for th
Third Massachusetts District.
The Senate occupied itself Tuesday ir.
discussing to a more limited extent the
unusual Brownsville affray. Senator
Daniel of Virginia made a speech in sup
port of the President's action. Senutor
Foraker said that other speeches were
to be made and indicated that he would
defer closing the argument he began until
a later date. Senator Overman of North
Carolina spoke in opposition to the pro
posed fcdoral child labor laws, his opposi
tion being based on the broad ground of
State rights. The bill limiting the hours
of service of rawny employes, which is
tbe "unfinished business," was discussed
for an hour. The House began consider,
tion of the military appropriation bill.
Chairman Hull began general debate by a
comprehensive statement of tbe content
of the army budget, which carries $2,
500,000 more than last year. Other
speeches were by Mr. Slayden of Texas
on his bill to discontinue the enlistment
of negroes in the army ; by Mr. Zenor of
Indiana, aguinst the ship subsidy bill,
and by Mr. (Saines of Tennessee, who
spoke in commemoration of the ninety
second anniversary of the battle of New
Orleans.
National Capital Kotea.
Senator Lodge introduced a bill to hn
prove the consular service by filling tht
higher positions by promotion from the
lower grades.
The sword of John Paul Jones now
rests In the library of the Navy Depart
ment, where it has been placed by Com
mander Reginald Nicholson.
With a view to securing action at th
present session, Senator Beveridga re-introduced
his general child labor bill as an
amendment to the District of Columbia
child labor bill.
Senator ltayner gave notice that he
would ask tbe Senate to consider resolu.
tions commemorating the life and charac
ter of the late Senator Arthur Pue Gor
man on Saturday, Jan. 20.
The Jamestown exposition commission
met in the office of Assistant Secretary ol
the Treasury Edwards to receive a re
port from President I. W. Johnson and
Director General G. B. Jackson of the
Negro Development Exposition Company
as to what is being done to prepare an
exhibition of negro progress. The com
missioners were not satisfied with the sit
uation. Withdrawal of all restrictions upon tht
issue of $3 notes by national banks U
proposed in a bill introduced by Repre
sentative Fowler of New Jersey, chair
man of the committee on currency. Tberg
is frequent complaint of Inability to ob
tain sufficient small notes and at present
national banks are restricted so that they
cannot take out more than one-third ol
their circulation in $5 notes.
Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock de
clared that bis withdrawal of 4.000.000
acres belonging to the five civilized tribes,
which was criticised by a Senate commit
tee, will stand unless the investigation
now in progress shows that he exceeded
his authority.
The War Department has issued a cir
cular to recruiting ollicers urs'mg redou
bles efforts to secure men to fill vn anciei
in the army. It is said a great ninny
jnen refuse to re-enlist because of the luck
of a canteen, while the general prosperity
and labor scarcity keep away new re
cruits. Baron lleiigelmuller, the AustroIIun
garian ambassador, denied the rumor that
he will resign the Washington mission.
The baron communicated with his gov
ernment concerning the reixirt.
Senutor Depew introduced a bill au
thorizing any national bank to he desig.
nated as a depository of public moiieys.
I'nder existing law no bank wi;h less
than $."0,HH) capital can be so designated.
George Daniel, claiming to he a nat
uralized citizeu, though a native of Tur
key, asked the Slate Departmeut for re
dress for alleged ill treutment by Persian
officials while he was teaching a school at
Oroomiab,
-. w-. t .
I)
