GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE
nes SECOND ADDRESS
Approves of Revenue Law
Passed by the Last
Legislature
SAFEGUARD TO PROGRESS
Urges Members to be Cautious
—Opportunity to Make Good
Record in Their Hands.
To the Members of the Twenty-ninth
Session of the Legislature of Ne
braska:
Gentlemen—It is a constitutional re
quirement that at the beginning of
your deliberations the chief executive
whall convey to you “information by
message of the condition of the state,
and shall recommend such measures
as he shall deem expedient.”
1 have but few recommendations to
make. In general, I may say that the
slate was never more prosperous than
It is today, the several executive de
partments were never in better work
lug condition and the institutions are
at the zenith of careful and economical
management. Owing to the chance of
politics, your membership is chosen al
most entirely from one great party.
With this unprecedented majority
comes a corresponding responsibility.
The dominant party cannot escape the
burden thus laid upon it and it should
be sobered by the thought. It is a
time for earnest, zealous work; it is
a time when state patriotism should
rise superior to personal prejudice and
petty whims; it is a time when the
privileges of the few should not be
allowed to take precedence over the
welfare of the many; it is a time for
laying broader and making more secure
the equitable foundations upon which
the state shall continue to rise toward
a condition of future greatness which
we now' but faintly appreciate. If you
would merit the highest encomium of
praise let your deliberations be dis
tinguished by honesty of purpose,
careful research and strict economy.
Thus will you protect th° public treas
ury and guard against hasty and im
perfect enactments. Your motto
should be, not howr much legislation,
but how good.
THE REVENUE LAW.
The revenue law passed by the pre
ceding legislature has met the expecta
tions of its friends and has been re
ceived with popular favor. This infer
ence is fully warranted by the results
of the recent campaign. The law be
ing an innovation in some of its fea
tures and having a .direct bearing on
the interests of every citizen was nat
urally brought under the searchlight
of public opinion and was made the
target of extreme criticism. The agi
tation was helpful in that it gave the
people generally a better understand
ing of revenue problems than they had
previously enjoyed and enabled a more
inteligent vote upon the issues in
volved. The result was such an en
dorsement of the work of the legisla
ture which framed and passed the bill
as has seldom been recorded in the
hi.-lory of TlTebraska. Not a single
member who voted for the bill and
who stood fur re election this year was
defeated. The conclusion is that the
time was ripe for revenue revision.
The people understood the inequitable
provisions of the old system under
which the growipg state could not
adapt its revenues to its increasing
obligations; they appreciated the logic
employed by former executive officers
in challenging public attention, by
message and biennial report, to the
urgent need of revision; they were
cognizant of the non-partisan spirit
which entered into the framing of the
new law and realized that the measure
was the product of the best thought,
regardless of party, which the legisla
ture could command, supplemented by
the valuable experience of older states
along similar lines. They knew, too,
that the two foundation principles
•were the essence of justice, namely,
the listing of all property for assess
ment purposes at its fair cash value,
and the levying of an equitable and
uniform tax upon all property so list
ed. without bias or favor.
One assessment and one set of levies
have been made under the new law and
we are now in a position to judge of
results. It is apparent that a large
amount of property which hitherto has
been covered and has escaped taxation
entirely has been placed unon the as
sessment rolls and is made to stand
Its just share of the expense of gov
ernment Other property which in the
past has been valued at ridiculously
low figures has been listed at approxi
mately its true worth. Tax shirkers
have been brought to time, both pri
vate and corporation property have
!»d thpir Just deserts, the grand
nent roll has been increased to
onable sura, the state has been
d to raise sufficient revenue to
he expenses of government eco
Uly administered, and in the
ion from the old to the new no
t has been injured beyond the
>iated cases which have been the
* of mistakes, or concerning
the judgment of the assessor or
levying body may have been
onie communities the taxes for
ear are considerably increased
he taxes of last year, but an in
^Decided to Hold Thtlr Honry
Tiio directors of the Wabash Railroad
coni pan/ at a meeting in Near York
decided not to make any distribution
on the debenture “A” bonds. In June
it was decided that the money which
might be used to pay Interest on the
A bonds wa3 needed for improve
ments to the property.'
Nothing will please the small boy
more than the privilege of assuming
the role of father to the man occas
ionally.
It’s a long love that has no cooling.
“If girls would eat more onions they
would have fewer calls from physi
cians,” says a scientist. Also from
other young men.
A landlord says a month's rent In
hand is better than a dozen promises
to pay.
Anyway. Bve wasn’t constantly nag
ging Adana about other women.
Openings sometimes come to men
aud oysters when least expected.
(oney may be the root of all evil,
shall produces the rooter
vestigation of the facts discloses that
the fault is not with the law, but rather
with the local levying bodies which,
in making their levies, did not take
iLto proper consideration the increased
valuation upon which they were act
ing.
While the essential principles of the
law are, in my judgment, eminently
just and correct, there are some mat
lei's of detail which might be improved
and to these I invite your attention.
Under the interpretation placed up
on the law by the state board of equali
zation and assessment, it has no power
to differentiate between classes of
property in equalizing county assess
ments. It can raise or lower the en
tire assessment roll of the county, but
cannot raise or lower one class of
property w ithout reference to the other
classes. For this reason it is impos
sible to secure a just equalization, for
in raising or lowering one deficient
class to the proper standard other
classes with which there Is no fault
are, by the unit system, raised or low
ered in unison and, hence, while jus
tice may be secured in the one instance
it is violated in the other. I therefore
recommend that Section 130, Article 1,
Chapter 77 of the Compiled Statutes
of 1903 be amended so as to permit the
state board of equalization to differ
entiate between classes of property in
equalizing county assessments.
Another inherent weakness in the
present law is the fact that county
boards of equalization are compelled
to make their levies in advance of the
equalization of the county assessments
by the state board. I recommend that
Section 136. Article 1, Chapter 77,
Compiled Statutes of 1903, be amended
so that county boards shall make their
levies after the certificate of county
equalization shall have been received
from the state board. Also, that Sec
tion 130 of the same article and chap
ter be amended so as to provide for
the transmission, by the state board,
of the certificate of county equaliza
tion to the county clerk at the earliest
date consistent with the general tenor
of the section, and that the said county
clerk be instructed to call the county
board together within seven days after
the receipt of said certificate for the
purpose of making the necessary levies
for the ensuing year. For the same
reasons the law fixing the time for
making school district and municipal
levies should be amended in harmony
with the above suggestion.
STATE BOUNDARY COMMISSION.
By ait of the last legislature, the
chief executive of this state was au
thorized to appoint a commission of
three members to act with a like com
mission appointed by thp ^>vernor of
South Dakota in the matter of agree
ing upon a boundary line between the
two states. This commission met with
the representatives of South Dakota
in due time and after repeated con
ferences and personal inspection, an
agreement of the joint commission was
filed with me, March 4, 1994, which I
now transmit to you lor approval or
rejection.
The preceding legislature also made
provision for a similar commission
to act in conjunction with a commis
sion representing the state of Iowa.
However, as our enactment was con
tingent upon the action of the Iowa
legislature in providing for a boundary
commission, and as the Iowa legisla
ture neglected to take such action,
nothing has been done. Owing to the
technicalities involved, lawlessness
and crime have been fostered in the
disputed territory and the rights of
property owners have been subject to
n.uch annoyance. This state of affairs
will continue until relief has been af
forded by the settlement of the bound
ary dispute. I recommend, therefore,
that your honorable body make provi
sion for another boundary commission,
the statute of limitation having run
against the old act, to co-operate with
a like commission from the state of
Iowa in agreeing upon a boundary line.
The litigation regarding the bound
ary line between Nebraska and Mis
souri, which had been pending in the
supreme court of the United States for
some time, was permanently settled
recently by a decision of the court
fully sustaining the contention of
Nebraska. The court fixes the bound
ary line in the center of the old chan
nel of the Missouri river, confirming
to Nebraska what is known as “Island
Precinct,” Nemaha county. I recom
mend that an appropriation of $1,000,
or as much thereof as may be needed,
be made for the surveying of the line
and the erection of permanent monu
ments, the state of Missouri to meet
Its equal share of said expense.
THE BATTLESHIP “NEBRASKA.”
On October 7, 1904, the battleship
“Nebraska” was successfully launched
at the yards of the builders in Seattle,
Washington. The impressive cere
monial was participated in by a num
ber of the executive officers of this
state. The “Nebraska” is one of the
latest and most efficient types of bat
tleships and our state is highly hon
ored by the national government in
being permitted to stand sponsor for
her. The remaining work of construc
tion and equipment will occupy about
one year and she will then be ready for
commission. At that time it will be
highly proper for our state, through its
legislature or unofficially through its
citizens, to present to the officers of
the “Nebraska,” for the use of the ship,
some practical gift as a token of our
California Tournament of Rosts
Under the most auspicious weather
conditions imaginable and in the pres
ence of sixty thousand people, Pasa
dena, Cal., held her seventeenth an
nual new year’s feast of flowers, the
celebrated “tournament of roses.”
Self-control is when you can play
cards with women and make them
think you are enjoying it.
The cleverest thing is for a girl to
pretend she is afraid you will see her
shoe tops when she isn’t.
If a girl wants to be kissed a young
man doesn’t have to waste much time
looking for an opportunity.
When a girl tels a young man that
the best is none too good for her it is
up to him to offer himself.
• -
You can’t always tel from the melan
choly womans sighs how much she
weighs. ,
The dressmaker allows many of her
best ideas to go to waist.
It is impossible to cultivate some
men without irrigation.
interest In the fighting craft which
bears our state name and as a further
indication that we are not insensible
to the distinction which has been con
ferred upon us by the general govern
ment.
SUPREME COURT COMMISSION.
The legislature of 1903 made pro
vision for the temporary continuance
of the supreme court commission, six
commissioners to be appointed for the
period of one year and three commis
sioners to be appointed for the period
af two years from April 10, 1903. The
TOurt is unable to keep up with the
work which comes before it, the num
ber of cases filed each month being
in excess of the number disposed of.
It seems imperative that a commission
of at least three members should be
provided for the coming biennium, to
the end that the rights of litigants
who are seeking relief may be con
served without unreasonable delay.
THE STATE S FINANCES.
On November 30, 1904, the floating
interest bearing indebtedness of the
state, as represented by outstanding
general fund warrants, amounted to
$2,253,386.40, an increase during the
biennium of $264,057.77. This condi
tion was made possible and practically
unavoidable by the operation of the
old revenue law.
While the new law was passed in
1903, it did not become operative until
1904, and It has had no appreciable ef
fect upon the state’s financial condi
tion. With reference to the sufficiency
of the state's income during the com
ing biennium, I quote from the current
biennial report of State Auditor Wres
ton:
“To the estimated income from the
levies of 1905-6 have been added a con
servative estimate of income from back
taxes and a very considerable amount
derived from miscellaneous sources,
making the total estimate of income
for the general fund $2,819,244.71. As
agair,st this estimated general fund in
come, the -estimated requirements for
the biennial period commencing April
1, 1905, and chargeable to the general
fund, amount to $2,540,316.”
From the above it is apparent that
if the present legislature holds its ap
propriations within reasonable bounds
the. receipts of the coming biennium
will exceed the expenditures by $278,
928. a condition which has not existed
in Nebraska for many years.
With such a state debt as now con
fronts us it requires no argument to
make clear that the strictest economy
consistent with the public weal should
distinguish all your relations with the
public treasury. The opportunity is
most auspicious. The state institu
tions were never in better condition.
The two preceding legislatures made
appropriations for permanent improve
ments amounting to a little more than
$600,000. The result is that needed
buildings and equipments have been
generously provided and the present
legislative body will be expected to do
but little in the way of expenditures.
THE LOBBY.
The bane of every legislative body
is the subsidized lobby. Vicious legis
lation is not the result of ignorance,
but is rather the result of prejudicial
influences which ought not to exist
and which certainly ought not to be
tolerated within the halls, cloak rooms
or offices of any deliberative body
which has power over the destinies of
a people. I recommend that such ac
tion be taken as will protect your
membership from the onslaught of
private and corporation lobbyists who
seek to accomplish pernicious ends by
the exercise of undue influence.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSI
TION.
The legislature of two years ago ap
propriated $35,000 for a Nebraska ex
hibit at St. Louis and^laid upon the
chief executive the duty of appointing
a non-partisan commission of three
members upon which should devolve
all responsibility pertaining thereto. I
am informed that, after paying all ob
ligations, there will remain unexpend
ed about $16,000 of the original appro
priation. This is certainly a most
gratifying condition, one which speaks
eloquently of the wisdom and discre
tion which the commission exercised
in the discharge of its duties.
LEWIS AND CLARK EXPOSITION.
The people of the Pacific coast in
particular are now preparing for the
Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposi
tion, an event which will commemor
ate the trials and triumphs of the ex
ploring expedition sent out by Presi
dent Jefferson during the year follow
ing the purchase of Louisiana and
which succeeded in penetrating to the
mouth of the Columbia river in 1805.
FOOD COMMISSION.
The work of the food commission is
necessarily curtailed by reason of the
fact that the law restricts inspection
to dairy products, cider and vinegar.
As a consequence the great mass of
food products containing injurious
adulterants escape the jurisdiction of
the commission and are amenable only
to the general statutes. The subject
is an important one. It seems desir
able tbat the present law’ be broadened
in its scope and made to include all
food products, and that provision be
mad« for such additional assistance as
the enlarged duties may make neces
sary.
OIL INSPECTION.
The preceding legislature raised the
inflammability test of illuminating oils
from 100 degrees to 112 degrees, Fahr
enheit, thus affording additional se
curity to life and property. Since the
law was made operative it has been
rigidly enforced, not a single case hav
ing been reported where oil below the
test has been placed on the market.
The Fall of a Cotton Mill
Application for a receiver of the
Devis cotton mills of Fall River was
made. The Industrial Trust company
of Providence holds a mortgage for
$500,000 on the plant to secure an issue
of bonds payable in twenty years.
oung man, beware of the girl who
lets you do all the talking during the
courtship; she’s playing a waiting
game.
moved from clothing with the aid of a
small pair of scissors.
There are times when every man
feels that he ought to be ashamed of
himself, but he isn’t
No, Maude, dear; it is a mistake to
suppose that bakers all sleep on flow
ery beds of ease.
The frailest woman can pull a train
after her just as well as the biggest
locomotive.
It is easier to wins a girl's heart
than it is to earn her hand.
A girl’s watch is usually iqpre orna
mental than useful.
IRRICIATION.
The report of the secretary of the
state board of irrigation shows that
considerable progress has been made
in irrigation matters during the last
two years. While the number of new
projects has not been great, much lias
been accomplished in the way of im
provement of existing canals and ad
ditional area has been brought under
cultivation. The United1 States recla
mation service has undertaken a large
project which has for its object the
storage of all the flood waters of the
North Platte river and the reclamation
of thousands of acres of land in Ne
braska and Wyoming. It is hoped this
plan will work to a successful conclu
sion, thereby adding a large productive
area to our domain.
THE MILITARY DEPARTMENT.
The military department has as
sumed a position of much greater im
portance since the enactment of the
present militia law by congress, ap
proved January 21, 1903. The purpose
of the law is to recognize and make ef
fective the volunteer force organized
under the title of the national guard
as the reserve army of the nation.
In order that the state may receive
its full quota of assistance and that
its privileges under the federal law
may materialize, a sufficient appropria
tion should be made to carry into ef
fect the designs of the enactment, in
sure safety of public stores, provide
suitable quarters for company organi
zations, and extend encouragement to
the young men who voluntarily as
sume the duties of a soldier, duties
that may at any time become arduous
and dangerous in the enforcement of
law and protection of life and prop
erty.
EDUCATION.
The state views with ever increas
ing pride the progress of its great edu
cational centers, the university and
the Peru normal, and is looking for
ward to the time when the Kearney
normal will take its place with the
other and will become an important
factor in our public school system.
BARTI.EY BOND CASE.
Your attention is called to the suit
of the state against the bondsmen of
former State Treasurer J. S. Bartley.
After more than seven years of litiga
tion the state is without any judgment
against the bondsmen. I am informed
that not a single bondsman has a dol
lar’s worth of prooerty in his own
name out of which the state could en
force a collection of any part of the
judgment should one ever be rendered.
Some of them have already gone
through the bankruptcy tourt since the
suit was instituted. I get this informa
tion from the court records and from
the last official report to me of Attor
ney General F. N. Prout, in which he
recommends the dismissal of this case
on the payment of the costs which
have been made, by the bondsmen, and
on the best terms possible.
r GUARANTY BONDS.
Under a recent decision of the su
preme court, it is held that the statute
is invalid which authorizes the execu
tion and approval of official bonds with
guaranty companies as sureties. The
defect is technical and can be reme
died.
I recommend that at the earliest date
consistent with the amount of work
involved you pass • a law' which will
legalize the execution and approval of
either personal or guaranty bonds.
STATE ACCOUNTANT.
The experience gained in the past
two years serves to confirm my judg
ment as exnressed in my previous in
augural address, recommending the
creation of the position of state ac
countant. It should be the duty of
such officer to “scrutinize and verify
the accounts of the various state offi
cers and state institutions.’’ I believe
that such an official would prove of
great value to the state, and hence I
repeat the recommendation.
PURCHASING OF SUPPLIES.
T recommend that the purchasing of
all sunolies for both the Institute for
the Blind and the Institute for the
Deaf and Dumb be placed in the hands
of the board of purchase and supplies,
this being the board which does the
buying for all the other institutions.
THE INSANE ASYLUM.
The Institute for the Feeble Minded
is in a very crowded condition. About
thirty applications are now' on file
from those seeking admission, and
who are properly entitled to the care
of the state, hut who are denied en
trance on account of the lack of room.
I recommend an appropriation of $20.
000 for the purpose of erecting a cot
tage for girls, as an adjunct of this
institution.
The Norfolk asylum, for the rebuild
ing of which an appronriation w'as
made by the last legislature, is near
ing completion, but probably will not
be ready for the reception of inmates
until about the first of May. When
the last legislature made provision for
the rebuilding of the Norfolk asylum
it was believed that the institution
would be completed in at least ten
months of the present biennium. Ap
propriations amounting to $51,850
w'ere accordingly made for officers’
salaries, employees’ wages and general
expense of maintenance. As the build
ing has been delayed, no part of these
appropriations lias been used. I rec
ommend that $18,000 of the mainten
ance fund appropriated for the Norfolk
asylum be transferred to the account
of the Nebraska Hospital for the In
sane.
Permit me to express the hope that
your duties will prove pleasant and
that the result of your labor will pro
mote the welfare of our beloved state.
[Signed] JOHN H. MICKEY.
The more flattery a man hands his
wife the less pin money he will have
to dig up.
Grease spots may be quickly re
faith.
Wigg—“There are more ways than
one of losing money.” Wagg—“Yes;
money can be lost in more ways than
nrnn **
In horse racing the chap who get*
the worst of it is the bettor.
The suburban policeman is generally
annexed to a country club.
A good woman is usually too good
tor any man—but fortunately sh«
know it
Smile and the world smiles with you
—if you are willing to settle with th*
bartender.
When a fellow is half seas over any
policeman who sees him may seizt
him.
I girl doesn’t like romance even L'
she knows it isn’t genuine.
The bee that gets the honey doesn’’
loaf around the hive
News in Nebraska
Verdon, with less than 500 inhabit
ants, has three strong banks.
The new Denver hotel at Hastings
was destroyed by fire last week.
The Burlington has begun steel
work on the cutoff near Wymore.
Wm. Synder, a Columbus butcher,
lost his fingers in a sausage machine.
A branch of the Salvation Army
has opened for business at Wymore.
The year just closed was an un
usually prosperous one for Nebraska.
Grafton is in want of some one to
open a millinary establishment in the
place.
O’Neill finds a school district debt
of $23,000, where it thought it owed
$8,000.
Boys and girls of Wymore High
school have each organized basket
ball teams.
L. J. Gutzmer of Columbus has
started to work as bookkeeper in tbe
state auditor’s office.
Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Fletcher of
Alliance last week celebrated their
golden wedding.
The David City Telephony Ex
change has passed into the hands of
the Surprise Telephone company.
By the overturning of a buggy Rev.
C. A. Masten and Rev. Alexander
Leonard were injured at Kearney.
Diphtheria prevails to considerable
extent at Shelby. There has been
three deaths thus far.
The Masonic Temple association of
Havelock has filed articles of incor
poration with the secretary of state.
The capital stock is $15,000.
The first horse stealing case In
Cass county since the organiaztion of
the vigilance committee, was report
ed to Sheriff McBride last week.
Frank Todd and George Dowd, two
bank robbers, were last week sen
tenced at Nebraska City to the peni
tentiary for five and seven years re
spectively.
The new Osceola water bonds were
sold to Harris & Co. of Chicago for
$25,2G5( being a premium of $265. The
issue ig twenty-year bonds and draw
5 per cent interest.
Hilma Kinman, single, aged 38, of
Sevedeburg. was brought before the
examining board of Saunders county
and adjudged insane. She was taken
to the asylum at Lincoln.
City Marshal L. L. Aldrich of Falla
City shot himself in the fore finger
of the left hand while manipulating a
revolver of small calibre, which he
supposed was unloaded.
At Louisville, Otto Wesleyan, who
had been drinking for some time, and
who was locked up, set fire to the
mattress and furniture and came near
suffocating before the jail door could
be broken open.
Abe L Lloyd, a young farmer, was
probably fatally injured at Pickrell,
Cage county, by driving under a large
beam over a pair of scales with a
load of corn with the result that he
was badly crushed.
Rollo Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs
Neri Smith, residing five miles west
of Harvard, is on a visit to his par
ents. having on December 29, been
discharged from the army at Platts
burg, N. Y.. having at that time com
pleted a three years’ service.
Charles Snyder a young man in the
employ of Patterson and Wingard,
met with an accident at the Parker
ranch, six miles west of Fremont.
Parker was adjusting a gasoline en
gine and as he started the machine
his right coat sleeve caught in the
cog wheels drawing his arm in and
badly cutting and grinding the flesh.
No bones were broken.
Ed Ruby, who lives seven miles
northeast of Weeping Water, while
chopping wood, had his axe caught by
a limb and it glanced and struck him
just behind the right ear. cutting off
a part of the bone and muscle and
cutting through the ear. He will likely
recover.
At Auburn ex-State Senator Peter
Berlet was arrested upon the charge
of illegal voting last fall. He was ar
ranged before County Judge Mc
Carty and took a thirty day contin
uance.
In his biennial report to the legis
lature, Secretary Adna Dodson of the
state board of irrigation, has suggest
ed certain amendments to the irriga
tion law of the state. He wishes a
provision to require the filing of a
copy of the petition of organizaton of
each irrigation district, that the board
may have a complete boundary record
of all the districts in the state.
Chief Clerk Harnley of the office of
State Superintendent Fowler has
completed the last of the statistical
tables for use in the report of the su
perintendent. The tables show the
total resources of the varous school
districts to be $6,072,956.67. The dis
tricts have on hand $1,182,789.63. Dis
trict bonds issued during the year,
$331,426.29; canceled within the year,
$116,051.18; district indebtedness
bonded, $2,730,539.52; not bonded,
$554,457.04; value of school district
property, $10,919,921.84.
Trailing a loaded shotgnn along the
prairie, John Johnson, aged 15, of
Norfolk, was surprised when, stum
bling. the gun went ofT and buried its
load into his side. The right arm was
torn partially off, with a good smat
tering of shot lodged in the right
hand. He will recover.
Byron Hammond, a former resident
of Beatrice, who has been wording
for Kilpatrick Bros, in Wyoming ar
rived last week to visit friends. On
the way to. Beatrice Mr. Hammond
says he was robbed of 9300 by a
stranger whom he met on the train.
The old Union Pacific passenger sta
tion. one of the oldest buildings in
Fremont, is being torn down. It wan
sold by the company to William
L.ucke who will use the solid timbers
in building an ice house.
Court in the Sixth Judicial district
will be held as follows: Colfax coin
ty, January 30, April 15, September
11; Dodge county, February 20, May
15, November 13: Merrick, county,
January 30, April 14, September 11;
Nance county, March 13, June 5. De
cember 4: Platt* county, February 20,
May 15. November 14.
LEGISLATURE
__of NEBRASKA
A Synopsis of Proceedings of the Twenty Ninth Gcn^
eral Session.
In the capitol building shortly attei
noon on the 3rd, 132 citizens stood
with uncovered heads and with right
hands uplifted, before Chief Justice
Holcomb, and repeated after him a
solemn oath of office. The men who
invoked God to attest that they swore
truly were the members of the twenty
ninth session of the legislature, and
this is what they swore:
“I do solemnly swear that I will
support the constitution of the United
States and the constitution of the
state of Nebraska, and will faithfully
discharge the duties of member of the
legislature according to the best of
my ability, and that, at the election at
which I was chosen to fill the said
office, I have not improperly influenced
any vote of an elector; that I have
not accepted nor will I accept, either
directly or indirectly, money or other
valuable things from any corporation,
company or person, or any promise
of office for any official act or influ
ence, for any vote I may give or with
hold on any bill, resolution or appro
priation, so help me God.”
The business to be transacted was
that of organization only, and was car
ried out strictly along the lines deter
mined on in the republican caucuses.
The house was called to order by
Secretary of State Marsh. The roll
was called by C. H. Barnard of Pawnee
county, who was later made first as
sistant clerk of the house.
R. B. Windham of Cass county was
unanimously elected speaker pro tern.,
and John Wall was made temporary
chief clerk.
For the election of permanent speak
er, the vote stood: Rouse, 91; Hunk
er, 9; and on motion of the latter, the
election of Mr. Rouse was made
unanimous.
The oath was administered by Chief
Justice Holcomb, and was repeated by
the members standing with right
hands uplifted and afterwards was
signed by them.
The house then proceeded to per
manent organization, electing George
L. Rouse of Hall, speaker; ,*»hn Wall,
chief clerk, and the other officers and
employes as agreed on in caucus last
night.
The nine fusion members supported
for speaker F. D. Hunker of Cuming
county.
The speakers and officers were
sworn by the chief justice.
Mr. Rouse was escorted to the
speaker's chair by Burgess of Lancas
ter, Caseberr of Gage and Perry of
Furnas. He addressed the house
briefly, informally and in a very gen
eral way.
A committee of five was ordered ap
pointed on legislative supplies. The
rules of the twenty-eighth session
were adopted as the rules of the pres
ent session.
Windham of Cass. Anderson of
Douglas and Burns of Lancaster were
appointed to act with a senate com
mittee to wait upon the governor and
inform him the legislature is ready to
hear from him.
Casebeer of Gage moved that the
clerk be instructed to furnish requisi
tion blanks, which should be exclu
sively used by the members in calling
for supplies, and that such requisi
tions be permanent preserved in the
record. The resolution was voted
down.
Windham of Cass, chairman of the
committee to confer with the gover
nor, reported that his excellency had
fixed 2 o’clock Thursday as the hour
when he would convey his wishes to
the legislature in the form of a mes
sage.
The house thereupon adjourned.
In the senate work began at noon.
Lieut. Governor McGillon called the
body to\>rder.
Rev. J. H. Presson led in prayer.
He invoked the divine blessing on the
legislators and asked for harmony and
peace throughout the session.
A roll call showed that all the sen
ators were present except Hart of
Adams county. He was detained by ill
ness.
Senator Wall moved that Senators
Begthol of Lancaster, Saunders of
Douglas and Jackson of Gage be ap
pointed a committee on credentials.
They reported there w'ere no contests.
Senator Saunders of Douglas moved
that the 1903 rules be adopted until
new regulations w’ere formulated and
the motion prevailed.
Senator Haller of Washington
moved that Senator Jennings be elect
ed president pro tern. Senator Wall
of Sherman moved as a substitute j
that all the senate caucus nominees
be declared elected. The latter motion
prevailed. Wall then moved that Sen
ators Epperson of Clay, Tucker of
Richardson and Sheldon of Cass wait
on the secretary of state and ask him
to swear in the senate employes. This
was carried. Secretary of State Marsh
could not be found, and Senator Mock
ett of Lancaster moved that the lieu
tenant governor administer the oath.
This was adopted and the employes
were sworn In.
Begthol of Lancaster moved that the
committee on standing committees i
and the committee on employes, se
lected by the caucus, be chosen by the
senate. The selections were approved.
Senator Jones of Otoe asked that
the pay of the enrolling and engross
ing clerks be fixed at |4 a day. This
was done. Senator Wall of Sherman
moved that Senator Cady of Howard.
Fries of Valley and Nielson of Doug
las compose a committee to notify
the house that the senate had organ
ized. The motion carried, and the com
mittee notified the house.
Without transacting further busi
ness of importance the senate ad
journed.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 4.
The senate held a short session. The
body was called to order by Lieuten
ant Governor McGilton. A committee
composed of Beghtol of Lancaster.
Fries of Valley and Shreck of York,
was appointed to confer with a house
committee to set a time for a joint
session to canvass the vote on execu
tive officers and fixed the time at
11:30. Mockett of Lancaster moved a
resolution, that was unanimously car
ried, to furnish representatives of the
newspapers in the senate copies of
the Cobbey statutes for use during the
session. The board of secretaries of
the state board of health sent in a
communication requesting the favor
able action of the senate in the mat
ter of providing a home for the epilep
tics. An invitation was read and
placed on file from the National Live
Stock association for the legisla'uro
to attend the meeting of the associa
tion in Denver, January 10. or to send
a committee. Adjourned until Thurs
day, when joint inaugural ceremonies
Will take place.
In the house complaint was entered
against the railroads for the length of
time they take to get lumber into Ne
braska and the way in which they treat
the dealer. Lumber is sometimes on
the road a month, with the dealer un
able to locate it. When it does arrive,
unless it is unloaded within forty
eight hours the purchaser has to pay
$1 a day demurrage. Frequently the
cars stack up ou the dealer and in many
cases shippers have been unable to
unload the cars within the prescribed
time, and have had to pay the demur
rage charges when it is all the fault
of the railroads. Should a measure bo
introduced to regulate this evil it will
have the support of the lumber deal
ers. who two years ago were tied up
with the railroads. The following
members were excused from attend
ance for the remainder of the week:
Jouvenat of Boone. Jackson of Antel
ope. Bacon of Dawson. Peabody of Ne
maha, Livingood of Franklin. McAl
lister of Deuel, Richardson of Madi
son and Smelser of Sherman. Roberts
of Dodge offered a resolution, directing
the chief clerk to furnish to the re
porters of daily newspapers regularly
represented in the house a copy each
of the compiled statutes for use dur
ing the session, the resolution being
seconded by Perry of Furnas. The
question was put to a viva voce vote,
and the speaker Mas in doubt as to
the result. Burns of l^ancaster then
explained to the members the neces
sity for furnishing statutes to the
newspaper men, after which the re
solution prevailed. Following this ad
journment took place until Thursday.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 5.
Brilliant and elaborate ceremonies
marked the inauguration of Governor
Mickey and the state officers. The
capitol building was decorated from
top to bottom with flaunting bunting.
Ferns, palms and flowers were in all
the offices, and there was an inter
minable receiving line leading up to
Governor Mickey, who was surround
ed by his colonels, their uniforms
ablaze with gold lace. There was a
reception in the senate chamber
which lasted from 8 to 8:30 o’clock.
Several thousand marched through
the chamber and into Representative
hall. After this there were receptions
in the various offices by the new offi
cers. The First regiment band fur
nished music and Adjutant General
Culver of the national guard had
charge of the ceremonies. But little
business was transacted beyond inau
guration ceremonies. Jennings of
Thayer reported the standing commit
tees. Giffen of Dawson moved that
Wall of Sherman. Laverty of Saun
ders and Gould of Greeley be appoint
ed a committee to represent the mem
bers of the senate at the meeting of
the National Live Sto^k association
at Denver. The committee on em
ployes reported these names to the
senate and they were sworn in and
placed on the pay roll: Miss Olive Utt
secretary to lieutenant governor;
Charles E. Furay, copyist; F. J. Bene
dict, custodian of the senate; Edgar
McCrea. custodian of the gallery:
Mrs. E. S. Cameron, copyist; Tom
Wright, clerk; J. A. Pollard, messen
ger; Jerry Wilhelm, night watchman;
H. A. Hober, janitor.
In the house the session was very
short, lasting but ten minutes. Chair
man Perry of the committee on ad
journment reported that an agree
ment had been reached with the sen
ate committee for an adjournment un
til 11 o’clock Tuesday. The report was
adopted. McClay of Lancaster moved
that a committee of three be appoint
ed to arrange for the securing of
mimeograph copies of the house jour
nal; one to be placed dally on the
desk of each member, and that the
?ommittee be given power to act. The
speaker seemed to regard this as en
ailing unnecessary expense, and the
motion was defeated. The house then
vent into joint session and, on recon
vening, adjourned.
Blue-Blooded Engineer.
One of the engine-drivers on th«
Paris Metropolitan railway is the son
of a vice president of the French sen
ate, who was formerly minister of
finance.
The Unfair Sex.
Nothing makes a woman so mad as
being stared at in a street car, except
not being stared at.—Cincinnati Com*
mercial Tribune.
A Daily Thought.
"Inveigh not against fate, nor re
pine at providence; but wisely exam
ine and correct your own negligenc-e."
----
Vanity and 3elMmprovement.
Nothing Is so common and barban
ous as vanity, and nothing so en
nobling as self-improvement.
God’s Greatest Gift.
The love of a good woman la %
spring flower that blooms through the
years.