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About Will Maupin's weekly. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1911-1912 | View Entire Issue (June 9, 1911)
they refuse to interest themselves at this time. Ex-State Superintendent Jasper L. Melirien has been stun; for the sum of $1,000, the same being awarded as dam ages to a teacher whom Mr. Melirien charged with being guilty of acts not cal culated to make a good impression on school boards. Mr. Melirien is a man of positive opinions and ideas, and it seems that he was a bit over-positive in this case. But isn't it a fact that we need positive men in positions like that held by Mr. Melirien at the time he made the remarks for which he has been assessed a thousand sesterces? Now and then such a man may nnwitingly in jure an innocent man, but isn't that bet ter than to be nieally-mouthed and thus allow men of evil character and bad x ainple to become the instructors of our youth? The Canadian reciprocity bill goes to the senate next Tuesday without recom mendation from the committee. If the senate refuses to pass the bill the presi dent will be up against a serious prob lem. If it does pass, the g. o. p. will be up against a serious problem. So there you are. The Root amendment relative to admiting Canadian wood pulp and paper duty free as soon as evidence was produced to prove that Canada was ad mitting our wood pulp and paper, was recommended for passage. President Taft is said to be opposed to that. A few weeks ago we admitted that William Howard Taft was showing some signs draw that remark for specific amend of being a politician. We wish to with-ment. The Nebraska Press Association is on record as favoring the establishment by the state of a bureau of publicity and im migration. That is all right as far as it goes. It now remains for the editors and publishers of the state to force selves to work and vote for such a meas-would-be legislators to pledge them u re. Here is a well authenticated example of what well directed publicity will ac complish in the matter of settling up the vacant lands of Nebraska. Two years ago the editor of Will Maupin's Weekly, while serving as state statistician, among other duties, published a bulletin in which Cheyenne county was described as being a big producer and anxious to wel come homeseekers. This bulletin fell in to the hands of a young man in eastern Nebraska. He went to Cheyenne and looked over the land, and bought a quar ter section. He paid $15 an acre for it. His first wheat crop paid one-half the purchase price, and he had less than half of the quarter section in wheat. Since he located there he has induced sixteen other young men of famity to locate on Cheyenne county land, and they are all prospering. , President Gary of the steel trust says Gates is a fit candidate for the Ananias club. Gates says Gary talks like man willing to defend anything crooked so long as a dollar is to be made thereby. As for this newspaper, it is quite will ing to believe that Mr. Gates, and Presi dent Gary know just what they are talk ing about. Remembering the old schoolbook phrase to the effect that "little birdies in the nest should agree," we fondly hope that Rev. Mr. Ludden and Rev. Mr. Roach will get together in harmony, as is meet and proper to an unusual degree among members of the clerical profes sion. When our moral mentors and re ligious instructors exhibit undue-evidences of certain old Adamic traits, we of weaker flesh may not be blamed for refusing to turn the other cheek, giving up the coat with the cloak and walking the second mile. The sale of the Columbia Fire Insur ance company, founded by D. E. Thomp son, causes Nebraska to lose a thriving corporation. The success of this com pany has been remarkable, and it is to be regretted that it is soon to be lost to Nebraska. Colonel Roosevelt has coyly vetoed the proposition that he be made the republi can candidate for the presidency in 1912. We have never credited Roosevelt with being - a man of - particularly good judg? ment, but in this instance we confess our belief that he has guessed right. The country has had quite enough of bluff, brag and bluster." It has had a surfeit of grimaces, therats and paradings. What it wants now is cafhi and sober judgment, coupled with wise and decis ive action taken along lines that are just and equitable. Roosevelt is constructed on such lines that he is incapable of sober' judgment, being sure to jump at con clusions and then denounce as liars the thoughtful men who arrived at different conclusions after mature consideration. If William Howard Taft is not re nominated, the republican candidate will be LaFollette. To win Taft will have to have much more than the backing of the federal brigade, a backing he is not like ly to have. On the other hand LaFol lette will, if nominated, have a federal bridage shot all to thunder behind him, but he will have behind him the virile and enthusiastic progressives of his own party. It would appear that the line-up is to be a democrat agreeable to the "business interests" and LaFollete. And in that event the support of this little newspaper will be trown to LaFollette, and don't you forget it. While not particularly favorable to the "noiseless Fourth" idea, we are high ly in favor of the "sane and safe Fourth." It is quite possible to -have both noise and safety on Independence Day. But the deadly dynamite cracker, the toy pistol and the dangerous bomb should be taboo. Senator Norris Brown was a foremost figure in the organization of "The Pro gressive League." The Progressive League has suddenly discovered that it greatly needs the presence of Senator Norris Brown in the senate for at least six years more. "Judges do not legislate, hence should not be subject to recall," says Congress man Norris. Like thunder they don't! The most stringent laws we have have been enacted by judges. Congressman Norris should make some more progress in his progressiveness. ' Frankly, we feel that the man who is willing to stop on the streets at night and hold converse with females of the Eihi opian persuasion is not entitled to either sympathy from the public nor help fr mi the police if he is relieved of his p i se. during the conversation. A NOTABLE DECISION. Judge Estelle of the Douglas county district court, has decided that 'fniay" means "shall" in the law relative to the employment of female labor. The Ne braska law says that women in certain occupations shall not be employed'more than ten hours in any one day, nor more than sixty hours in any one week, and that the hours of labdr. "may be -so ar ranged as to permit" the work being done between 6 a. m. and 10 p. m. While act ing as labor commisisoner of Nebraska the editor of Will Maupin's Weekly brought action against two Omaha em ployers for employing women after 10 o'clock p. m. The complaints - were fought on the ground that the law was not mandatory but advisory, merely sug gesting that it would better to employ women between the hours named. In the justice court the defendants were fined a nominal sum, and the cases im mediately appealed to the district court. Judge Estelle was not long in deciding that it was clearly illegal to employ wom en in the proscribed occupations after 10 p. m. It is doubtful if the cases will be appealed to the supreme court. By this decision Nebraska keeps in line with modern progress and enlight enment. It means that Nebraska thinks more of womanhod than of paltry dollars and cents ; that it has a higher regard for the welfare of the future mothers of its citizens, and therefore of its future citizens, than it has for profits. Nat urally the editor of this paper is gratifed at the outcome of his contention. But the great credit is due to Florence Kel ley. of New York, secretary of the Na tional Consumers' League, to Mrs. Drap er Smith of Omaha, and to other splendid women wno nave interested themselves in the welfare of their sisters. The Ne braska decision will be about the best ad vertising the state has had. ' ' j