M'UOOK TRIBUTE.
F. M. KIMMKLL , ianllsher.
McCOOK , - - NEBRASKA
BRIEF TELEGRAMS.
Colonel C. N. Stevens , a very prom
inent citizen and wholesale hardware
merchant of Gainesville , Tex. , died of
pneumonia.
L. J. Ramsey , proprietor of a de
partment store at Kokomo , Ind. , was
sued for $5,000 for slander by Mrs.
Elizabeth Freeman , a prominent wid
ow.
ow.More
More than 6,000 persons , four-fifths
o whom went to the United States , em
igrated from Chr.stiana during the last
twelve months , as against 3,300 in
1S99.
1S99.The
The Society of Berlin Grain and Pro
duce Dealers has cabled to American
exporters cautioning them to see that
their goods correspond with the certifi
cates.
Vester Griffin , who shot and killed
Georgia King on the night of July 30
last , was hanged at Danville , Va. The
execution was successful. They were
colored.
Henry W. Howgate , aged 70 , who in
1880 served the government as dis
bursing officer of the signal service at
"Washington , was released from the
penitentiary , after serving six years
for forgery and falsification of ac
counts.
The Parsons , Kos. , lodge of Elks
Initiated R. R. Brown , aged 92 years.
Ho is a native of New York and is
the father of J. R. Brown , president
of the Interstate Mortgage and Trust
company. He claims to be the oldest
Elk living.
Spring Valley , N. Y. , Is much in
terested by the quiet marriage of Miss
Belle Blauvelt and the Rev. Dr. D. D.
Lindsly , of Youngsville , N. Y. Miss
Blauvelt is 30 years old , the clergyman
Is 70. Miss Blauvelt taught a Sunday
school class for him.
A man who says his name Is H.
Green has surrendered to the police at
Sacramento , Cal. He says he and his
brother Jaohn murdered Wiliam Fee-
ney at Claire % station , Isbell county ,
Mich. , in 1875. Ho says they knocked
Feeney in the head , cut his throat and
robbed him of $600. They then cut a
hole in the ice on the lake and threw
the body in.
President Ripley of the Santa Fe ,
speaking of the reported acquisition
by that road of the Pecos Valley &
Northwestern railroad , said : "We have
owned that road for some time , and
have no intention , as reported , of ex-
tend'ng It to Albuquerque , nor have
we the slightest desire to block any
plans of the Rock Island for extending
Its system. "
The Chicago , Burlington & Quincy
railway examining board of the north
ern division has about completed ex
amining the men on the new rules.
They were a pted December 1 and the
men have hal very little time to post ,
nevertheless all have stood the test
exceedingly wel ) The new rules are
very different from the old and draw a
hard and last line on drinking. Fre
quenting saloons at all is prohib'ted.
Robert H. W Icox , delegate in the
house of representatives from the Ha
waiian islands , has just been paid a
claim of $1,000 for mileage. Every
congressman is entitled to mileage at
the rate of 20 cents per mile by the
most direct and practicable route from
his home to Wasmgton and return.
The distance between Honolulu and
Washington is 5,000 miles. Mr. Wilcox -
cox will draw $1,000 more on his re
turn trip.
Mrs. John Sherry , of New Castle ,
Ind. , is dead , as the result of a very
peculiar accident About two years
ago she attended an entertainment and
social , and all of the ladies took bas
kets of refreshments. Among other
things Mrs. Sherry took a pot of cof
fee. When she was returning home
some boys had thoughtlessly stratched
a rope across the sidewalk , and Mrs.
Sherry was carrying the empty cottea
pot , and as she tripped and fell over
the rope the point of the coffee pot
spout penetrated deeply into her left
breast. A cancer developed from the
A\Qund and after months of suffering
death resulted.
A. H. Pierce , better known through
out the west and south as "Shanghai"
Pierce , one of the wealthiest and most
famous of Texas stockmen , died at his
home at Pierce , Tex. The fortune he
left is estimated at between $4,000,000
and $5,000,000 , all of whoch was accu
mulated by him in Texas.
Andrew McNeff was 100 years old
Wednesday. 'Ihe anniversary was cel
ebrated in Larue , 0. , and 100 relatives
enjoyed a big dinner. This venerable
man is hale and hearty , has good eye
sight , has never worn glasses and is so
spry that he never thinks it necessary
tc carry a cane. For eighty years he
has been a hard smoker.
Five persons were killed and eleven
seriously injured at Vivar , province of
Grenada , Spain , during an election
riotHal
Hal K. Wilson , a prominent young
attorney of Carmi , accidentally shot
and k'l'ed ' himself. He war formerly
city attorney of Carmi , 111.
D. R. Paige of New York has paid
the last dollar of his indebtedness.
City Commissioner A. T. Page , of Ak
ron , O. , a brother of D. R. Paige , said :
"The remaining four notes of Paige ,
Gary & Co. have been lifted. It was
a gigantic undertaking to wipe out a
debt of $720,000 , but Mr. Paige accom
plished it"
Much American maize , 1900 crop , is
arriving at Berlin in bad condition.
General Reginald Pole-Carey , who
has returned from South Africa , will
marry Lady Beatrice Frances Eliza
beth , elder daughter of the Marquis
of Ormonde. He is 51 years of age
and she is under 25.
Bishop and Mrs. C. C. McCabe and
Miss Brouse , private secretary to the
bishop , will sail from New York Janu
ary 8 for their trip through South
America. The bishop was recently ap
pointed to take charge of the mission
work in South America , and his trip
if. for the purpose of going over his
work.
Numerous Meacures are Being Introduced
in the Legislature.
EXTREME PENALTY IN MOST CASES
Other Decrees of Kidnaping 'Will Bring
Life Imprisonment A Baleen Keeper
at Siiyder Shot and Instantly Killed
Other Matters in Nebraska.
The legislative wheels are again in
motion. ulie buttons to start tne ma
chinery were pressed at noon January
1 , according to the constitutional man
date , by Secretary of State Porter , in
the house , and Lieutenant Governor
Gilbert , in the senate.
The program agreed upon by the
two" party"icaucuse8theiprevlous-xnigni'
were carried out without visible hitch
In the organization of both houses , af
ter which adjournment was taken for
the day , to prepare for the canvass of
the vote in joint session on Wednes
day , v/hen perhaps a few more steps
will be taken In further perfecting the
omcial roster , tne meabages of the
outgoing and incoming governors be
ing reserved for Thursday.
As usual chief Interest centered in
the house to which was attracted a
good attendance of spectators , who ,
however , soon tired of the lack of ex
citement In the proceedings and grad
ually stole away. There were no flow
ers and little applause , except for two
neat speeches of the temporary and
permanent speakers.
The senate organized along lines
agreed upon in caucus and adjourned
to meet at 10 o'clock Wednesday. Sen
ators were called to order by Lieuten
ant Governor Gilbert. Alpha Morgan ,
secretory of the last senate , was pres
ent , and had prepared a temporary
rdll , which was called. Rev. Mr. Cress-
man asked divine blessing to rest on
those present and to guide their every
act.
Senators Currie of Custer , Edgar of
Gage county , were appointed a com
mittee on credentials. After a ten-
minute recess , during which time they
prepared their findings , they reported
that all , with the exception of two ,
whose names wore on the list read by
Mr. Morgan , had presented duly ac
credited credentials , appearing valid
and conclusive on their face , and
should therefore be entitled to seats.
Lyman of Adams and Campbell of
Kolt had mislaid their credentials , but
were recommended to seats. This re
port was adopted , thus seating , tem
porarily at least , Oleson of Cuming
and Liddell and Ransom of Douglas ,
all of whom have contests confronting
them.
The republican nominees were as
as follows : Calvin F. Steele of Fair-
bury for president pro tern ; John C.
Fremont McKesson of Lancaster for
secretary , and A. H. Keim of Falls
City for assistant secretary. Clark
Robinson , sergeant-at-arms , John
Patrick of Washington county for
doorkeeper , W. H. Pool of Cass for
enrolling and engrossing clerk , A. A.
Cressman of Crete for chaplain and
Harry Beebe of Stanton for custodian
of the cloak room.
It was five minutes of the noon hour
when the house was called to order by
Secretary of State Porter. Rev.
George W. Porter of the Methodist
Episcopal church of Palmyra led in
prayer. Members arose to their feet
and remained standing while the di
vine blessing was invoked. Tne roll
was caflled by Theodore Mahn , book
keeper in the secretary of state's of
fice. Boulier of Saunders was the only
member failing to respond to his
name.
Laffiin cf Gage placed in nomination
for temporary speaker J. W. Arm
strong of Nemaha county , the choice
of the republican caucus. Glaus Grell
of Sarpy , on behalf of the minority ,
placed in nomination the name of
John C. Sprecher of Cclfax county.
Roll call resulted in Armstrong's elec
tion by a strict party vote of 53 to 4b
Eoulier , fusion of Saunders , absent
and not voting.
John Wall of Arcadia was made
temporary clerk. The speaker , on mo
tion of Cain of Richardson , appointed
a committee of five on credentials , as
follows : Cain of Richardson , An
drews of Frontier , Mead of Douglas.
Taylor of Custer , Tanner of Nance.
On motion of Lane of Lancaster the
rules of the twenty-sixth session were
adopted pending further action. A re
cess of ten minutes was taken to give
the credentials committee an oppor
tunity to report. Their report was
adopted , and Chief Justice Norval of
the supreme court administering the
oath of office.
In permanent organization of tne
house W. G. Sears of Burt county was
elected speaker. He appeared and ex
pressed thanks.
The house then proceeded to elect ,
as the remainder of its officers , the
nominees of the republican' caucus , by
a vi 'e voce vote as follows : Chief
clerk , John Wall , Arcadia ; first assist
ant derk , A. D. Gilmore , Auburn ; second
end assistant clerk , C. H. Barnard ,
Table Reck ; third assistant clerk , C.
E. Sandall , York : fourth assistant
clerk , H. S. Wetherell , Alma ; ser
geant-at-arms , A. Wilsey , Frontier
county : chaplain , J. H. Presson , Milford -
ford ; doorkeeper , F. L. Miller , Beat
rice , postmaster , E. D. Preston , Ham
ilton county. Adjournment followed
until 10 o'clock Wednesday.
SENATE. In the senate on the
2d the following list of employes
was reported by Senator Currie
and elected unanimously in a
bunch : Second assistant clerk ,
Ralph Johnson ; stenographer , Miss
Nettie Darth ; messenger , Alex Porter ;
private page to lieutenant governor ,
Charles Perin ; clerk of committee on
claims , W. H. Van Cleve ; janitors ,
Albert WahSg and Edgar McCrea.
The senate authorized the hiring of
nine employes , heard five of the sev
enteen bills introducec read for the
first time , attempted to select a
standing committee on privileges and
elections , held a joint session with
the house for canvassing the vote
cast at the last election and then ad-
journpd until 3 o'clocK. During the
brief recess of the senate preliminary
to the joint meeting with" the house
the republican senators caucused and
agreed on their' committee on priv
ileges and elections. A number ot
bills were Introduced , among them
being : To provide for the appoint
ment of supreme court referees. Em
powers the court to appoint by unan
imous vote nine referees , with neces
sary stenographers , to hold office for
two years as a salary of 2,500 annu
ally. Emergency clause attache'd.
Senator Ransom's kidnapping bill :
To amend , sectlqn.,207 qf the. criminal
code. Removes age limit of 18 years
in crime of seduction. Providing pen
alties for the abduction or kidnaping
of Infants , children or adults. To
amend section 75 and section 78 of
the criminal code relating to allow
ing domestic animals with contagious
diseases to run at large. Emergency
clause attached.
HOUSE In the house on the 2d ,
Lane , Fowler and Glshwiller were ap
pointed , with a senate committee , to
notify the governor that the legis
lature is ready to receive communi
cations. Hibbert , ' Beisner and Schin-
stock were appointed a committee to
arrange with a senate committee for
a joint session for the purpose of
canvassing the vote. The speaker an
nounced the appointment of the com
mittee on privileges and elections , as
follows : Whltmore of Hamilton ,
chairman ; Mullen of Douglas , Beis
ner of Thayer , Hibbert of Gage , Arm
strong of Nemaha , Warner of Lancas
ter , Brown of Furnas ( republicans )
and Loomis of Dodge , Hamilton of
Bulier and Tanner of Nance ( fusionists -
ists ) . At 11:30 both houses convened
in joint session for the purpose of
canvassing the vote of the last gen
eral election. The members of the
house arose and remained standing
while the senators entered represent
ative hall , escorted by their ser-
geany-at-arms. Lieutenant Governor
Gilbert and President ( pro tern )
Steele led the procession. The lieu
tenant governor called the joint ses
sion to order and announced its pur
pose. The house and senate rolls
were called. The secretary of state
not showing up to transmit the re
turns , Representatives Crockett and
Fowler and Senator Arends were sent
out to apprehend him. After an in
terval , Mr. Porter was produced , who
handed to the speaker the original
abstracts of the vote. The speaker
canvassed the vote , and announced
the result of the election on presiden
tial electors , state officers and con
gressmen. Immediately thereafter
the joint session , Tanner of Nance
moved the appointment of a commit
tee of three , to report at the next
session , to ascertain the cost of print
ing the journal each day in sufficient
numbers for each member. Uhl of
Douglas amended to include the cost
of typewritten and mimcgraph copies.
The motion as amended was agreed
to. The chair appointed Tanner , Uhl
and Crockett. Tanner next moved
that the clerk be instructed to fur
nish each member daily ten 2-cent
stamps , ten 1-cent stamps , five 1-cent
wrappers and four daily papers.
Taylor of Custer amended to strike
out the daily papers , and Marshall of
Otoe amended to strike out the 1-cent
wrappers. Both amendments were
adopted , and the motion thus muti
lated was agreed to.
SENATE The work in the senate
an the 3d was principally devoted to
discussion of the pending contest
cases , and resulted in the papers and
documents purporting to be evidence
being delivered to the presiding offi
cer , who opened the packages in the
presence of the senate. A resolution
by Baldrige of Douglas , diecting the
sergcant-at-arms to summon D. M.
Haverly , clerk of Douglas county , to
bring the ballots and poll books of all
the wards of South Omaha , the sub
poena to be signed by the presiding
officer and countersigned by the clerk
of the senate , was passed at the morn
ing session. A motion by Crounse of
Washington prevailed , directing the
presiding o direr to turn over to the
committee on privileges and elections
all the papers and documents relating
to contest cases in the senate. The
committee on standing committees
gave out the following additional
chai.Snen : Highways , bridges and
surveys , Trompen ; counties and county
boundaries , Van Boskirk ; internal
improvements , Berlet ; school lands
and funds , Crounse ; labor , Steele ; ed
ucational , Allen ; library , Young ; live
stock and grazing. Van Boskirk ; man
ufactures and commerce , McCarger ;
public charities , Martin ; miscellaneous
subjects , Oleson ; corporations , Berlet ;
constitutional amendments and fed
eral relations , Young ; medical socie
ties , Newell ; immigration , Currie ; in
surance , O'Neill ; irrigation , Owens :
reform schools and home for the
friendless , Harlan ; insane hospitals ,
Arends ; deaf , dumb and blind asylums ,
Baldrige ; mines and mining , Ransom ;
apportionment , Van Boskirk. Among
the bills introduced were the follow
ing : An act to amend section 77a of
chapter xviii , article 1 , entitled "Reg
ister of Deeds , " of the Compiled Stat
utes of 1899 , and to repeal said sec
tion. A bill to amend sections 18 , 20
and 21 of chapter iv of the Criminal
Code of the state of Nebraska and re
peal sections 18 , 20 and 21 , Compiled
Statutes of 1897. An act to amend
section 140 of chapter xxvi , Compiled
Statutes of Nebraska for 1899 , enti
tled "Elections. "
JOINT SESSION The senate and
house committees on privileges and
elections met in joint session on the
4th in the lieutenant governor's office
and began consideration of the elec
tion contest cases from Douglas coun
ty. The four cases were combined and
will be tried jointly before both com
mittees. During the morning session
William A. Redick of Omaha made
the opening statement for the contest
ants and in the afternoon Edward P.
Smite , performed a similar duty for
the contestees. According to the plan
agreed upon by the committees and
the attorneys the ballots cast in the
South Omaha voting districts will be
counted before any testimony or evi
dence is produced. At the conclusion
of Mr. Smithes statement the ballots
cast in the Second district of the Second
end ward were opened and the count
begun. It is the intention of the com
mittee to push the hearing of the
Douglas county cases as rapidly as
possible and with this object in view
night sessions will probably be held
next week. At the evening session
the committee completed the recount
of all ballots cast in the Fourth ward
and In the First and Second districts
of the Second ward. Twenty-nine bal
lots that were rejected by the election
board in the Second district of the
Second ward because they were marked
with lead pencil were accepted and
counted by the committee. The ad
dition of these vottse changed the fig
ures somewhat , but did not immaterially
alter the relative standing of the nom
inees. The recount so far shows the
following gains : Rohwer , republican ,
12 ; Johnson , fusion , lo ; Hunt , fusion ,
13 ; Youngs , republican , 10 ; Liddell ,
fusion , 15 ; Schultz , republican , 10 ;
Ransom , fusion , 18 ; Colson , republican ,
10. Among the first bills that will
be introduced in the legislature will
be one relating to negotiable instru
ments , which will be similar in text
to a bill that has become a law in
sixteen states. The measure is en
dorsed by the American Bankers' as
sociation and several , of the most
prominent and influential members
of the State Bankers' Association of
Nebraska. The proposed bill Is dif
ferent in only a few respects from the
existing statutes relating to negotiable
instruments. It abolishes days of
grace and makes the endorser of a
note liable for its full amount.
JOINT SESSION-The two branches
of the legislature met in joint session
in representative hall on the 3d for
the Inauguration o the new state offi
cials. The large hall was crowded
throughout the entire ceremony.
Lieutenant Governor Gilbert presided
until the joint session adjourned ,
when he was succeeded in office 'by
Edward P. Savage , who occupied the
president's chair in the senate cham
ber during the following session of
the upper house. After the roll call
the presiding officer appointed a com
mittee consisting of Representatives
Lane of Lancaster , Sprecher of Colfax ,
Diers of York and Currie of Custer to
notify the retiring governor that the
joint convention was duly organized
and ready to receive his message , and
to escort him to the hall. On motion
of Senator Baldrige of Douglas the
committee was instructed to invite the
governor-elect and other retiring and
incoming state officers and escort
them to the hall. A few minutes
later the Inaugural procession appear
ed and Governor Poynter , Governor-
elect Dietrich , his staff , state officers
and state officers-elect were announc
ed by Chairman Lane of the escort
committee. The senators and repre
sentatives arose and remained stand
ing while the line of officials , staff
officers , etc. , moved forward. All
members of the military staff were
clad in full military dress uniforms.
Governor Poynter , Governor-elect Diet
rich and Lieutenant Governor-elect
Savage were ushered to chairs imme
diately in front of the speaker's desk.
The retinue of staff officers and their
successors sat in a row in front of
representatives' desks , facing the pre
siding officer and the retiring and in
coming chief executives. As soon as
all had found their places the legislators -
, islators again resumed their seats and
without further ceremony Governor
Poynter was introduced by the retir
ing lieutenant governor. He at once
began the reading of his farews 1 mes
sage. At its conclusion Governor-
elect Dietrich was inaugurated and
presented his message. The inaugu
ral ball took place In the evening.
The governor's reception at the
state house and the .ball immediately
following in the Auditorium were the
final events of the inauguration of
the new administration. Both were of
surpassing brilliancy. The reception
continued from 9 to 10:30 o'clock ,
when the governor's party was taken
to the Auditorium for the inaugural
ball , which was tendered by the Com
mercial club.
This is the new administration :
Governor , Charles H. Dietrich ; lieu
tenant governor , E. P. Savage ; secre
tary of state , George W. Marsh ; au
ditor , Charles Weston ; treasurer , Wil
liam Steufer ; attorney general , F. N.
Prout ; commissioner of public lands
and buildings , G. D. Foliiner ; super
intendent of schools , W. K. Fowler.
The following additional appoint
ments have been announced : House ,
P. H. Wintersteen , custodian of cloak
room ; W. M. Wheeler , chief clerk of
engrossing room ; Ella M. Piper , sten
ographer chief clerk's room ; Robert
Houghton , bill clerk ; Edward Morris ,
chief clerk bill room ; H. Gleason ,
timekeeper.
THE NEW STATE OFFICERS.
Following is a complete list of the
newly-installed state officers , together
with names and postoffice address of
employees :
Governor Charles H. Dietrich , Hast
ings ; private secretary , H. C. Lind
say , Pawnee City ; chief clerk , Robert
J. Clancy , Omaha ; recording clerk ,
Miss Nellie Purcell , Lincoln ; stenog
rapher , Miss Lena Meyer , Hastings ;
messenger , M. F. Singleton ( colored ) ,
Omaha.
Lieuteant governor Ezra P. Savage ,
Sargent ; secretary , Miss Emma Mil
ler , Sargent ; messenger , Earl Perin ,
Lincoln.
Secretary of State George W.
Marsh , Falls City ; deputy , Frank Mc
Cartney , Nebraska City ; bookkeeper ,
Fred W. Miller , Falls City ; recorder , ,
J. J. Roberts , Lincoln ; clerk , Miss
Gertrude Dean , Lincoln ; stenographer ,
Miss Harriet Fletcher , Lincoln.
Auditor of Public Accounts Charles
Weston , Hay Springs ; deputy , George
Anthes , Omaha ; insurance deputy , H.
A. Babcock , Lincoln ; recorder , J. F.
Fanning , Clearwater ; stenographers , >
Miss Nellie Kepler , Lincoln ; Miss I
Anna Grissinger , Bellwcod ; bookkeeper - j
keeper , J. M. Gilchrist ( temporary. ) j
Treasurer William Stuefer , West }
Point ; deputy , E. G. Heilman , Nor-1
folk ; chief clerk , Nathan "Fodrea , !
Grand Island ; clerk , H. W. Bauman , j
West Point ; stenographer , Miss Mary |
T. Watson , Grand Isianc.
Superintendent of Public Instruction \
"W. K. Fowler , Blair ; deputy , J. L.
McBrien , Crab Orchard ; stenographer , !
Miss Jennie B. Adams , Superior. i
Attorney General F. N. Prout , Beatrice - i
atrice ; deputy , Norris urown , Kear
ney ; assistant , W. G. Rose , Lincoln ;
stenographer , Miss Nannie Canning ,
Beatrice.
Commissioner of Public Lands and ;
Buildings George D. Follmer , Oak ;
deputy , H. M. Eaton. Fremont ; chici
clerk , Brad P. Coos , Lincoln ;
draughtsman , A. K. Gift , Lincoln
( temporary ) ; first bookkeeper , H. G
Meyers , Humphrey ; second bookkeep
er , C. J. Fltle , South Omaha ; assign
ment clerks , Miss Cora Garter , Red
Cloud ; Mrs. Jeanette Rehlander , Lin-
coin ; leaae contractor , Miss Maggie
Kroese , Lincoln.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES.
Fusionists will probably establish
quarters at the Grand hotel , where
tbey caucused.
The senate will expend less money
for official work than any senate in
recent years , " said Senator Currle of
the apportionment committee. "We
are going to keep expenses down and
establish a new record. "
John C. Sprecher , senator from Col-
fax , is going to take his pick between
deputy oil inspector and the position
to which he was elected this fall. He
thinks that the oil inspectorship will
not last long after the new adminis
tration gets to work , so ho will pick
upon the senatorshlp. His resignation
in expected to be in the hands of the
oil inspector in time to assume legis
lative work.
Mr. Sears , speaker of the house , is
of good form and voice and creates a
favorable impression. In taking the
chair he said that , so far as he hon
estly and consistently could , as speak
er , he would strive to aid each mem
ber in advancing the interests he was
sent here to represent. He wanted to
assure the members of the minority
party that , in the progress of the bus
iness of the house , he would accord
them absolutely fair and impartial
treatment. To the majority , "charged
with the real responsibility of the ses
sion , " he promised to make every ef
fort to so discharge the duties of his
position as to win the approbation of
the voters of the state.
In the senatorial arena tue lines are
being drawn , but the work is chiefly
of the quiet order in making closer
acquaintnce with the members. The
candidates for the senate are all in
evidence , the principal ones maintain
ing headquarters where they are at
home to their friends. Delegations are
in from various sections of the state
in the interest of their special favor
ites.
ites.Quite
Quite a joke was sprung when it
transpired that Armstrong of Nemaha ,
who had been chosen to set the legis
lative ball a-rolling as temporary
speaker , is scheduled in the biograph
ical table as by occupation a funeral
director. "A funeral director in
charge of the house may prove to be
a grave matter , " suggested Sears of
Burt. "I should rather say that it
looks decidedly Sear-ious , " chimed in
Laflin of Gage. And the procession
moved on.
The State Bar association met in
the rooms of the supreme court and
indorsed a bill for introduction in the
legislature which provides for the
appointment of nine .supreme court
commissioners , to be appointed by
unanimous vote of the three judges.
The proposed bill was prepared by the
legislation committee or the associa
tion , and was presented at the meet
ing by Judge McHugh of Omaha.
When he retires from office State
Treasurer J. B. Meserve will have to
account to his successor , William
Stuefer , for $4,774,743.99 of state
funds. Of this amount $300,242.53
must be in the form of actual money
or bank certificates and the balance
in national , state or county bonds or
securities. All of the permanent edu
cational funds , money that is not in
vested in such securities , must be
turned over in actual cash , but the
money of other funds may be ac
counted for by depository bank certifi
cates.
Auditor Cornell has his office force
at work preparing the last statement
of the state's funds. This statement
shows the money and securities , etc. ,
that the treasurer must turn over , and
is as follows : General , $19,893.96 ;
sinking , $62,622.44 ; permanent school ,
$44,260.83 ; temporary school , $81.155.-
43 ; permanent university , $3,072.31 ;
agricultural endowment , $15,222.G ;
temporary university , $7.87 ; universi
ty cash , $15,178.48 ; hospital for insane ,
$140.90 ; normal interest , $963.54 ; nor
mal library , $4,969.61 ; normal endow
ment , $29,083.12 ; state library , $6,052.-
56 ; penitentiary special labor , $1,102.-
84 ; agricultural and mechanical arts ,
$13,036.68 ; agricultural experiment sta
tion , $860.76 ; penitentiary land , $2,618.
Total , ? 300,242.55.
The senate committee on privileges
and elections met and decided to begin
hearing evidence in the contest cases
next Monday. The Douglas county
contests will be the first ones brought
up. The attorney for the contesting
members in these cases met with the
committee. The ballots in these cases ,
which are now under the jurisdiction
of the court , will be delivered to the
committee Thursdaj' of next week.
Many documents and articles which
will be used in evidence were turned
over the senate by Secretary of State
Porter.
The Preacher Alderma- ' .
Rev. Dr. Washington Gladden's ac-
uhity in Columbus municipal affairs
continues. He is just now deep in
i controversy over the street railway
franchise , and , as may be imagined ,
Dr. Gladden wants the public to have
ill that it is entitled to. He advo
cates seven or eight tickets for a
luarter , all night cars , and the pay-
r.ent of a considerable casu compen
sation to the city by the street rail
way company.
Foun PettJjjrew Was With the Boers.
It is not generally known , perhaps ,
.hat Senator Pettigrew , of South Da-
vota , has a son who has been fighting
vith the Boers. He arrived in Sa
vannah a few days ago , and at once
, vent to Washington. He is a lad cf
! C years of age , who joined seme 400
volunteers for service in the Trans
vaal. They were driven into the Por-
.ugese territory and three disarmed
ind the Dutch governmpnt paid the'r
lassage home. Young Pett'sr- says
hat the Boers will make it interes'-
ng for the British for ? ome time to
: ome , and he is anxious to again join
; heir cause.
An event is a circumstance that sel-
lora happens.
t
Motion in Supreme Oourt for Eohearing-
* IT |
on Biparian Eights.
EffECTS.OE A RECENT DECISION > f
State Military Board Will KecommonC j
Adoption of a New Code A Count of J
the Cush In the Btato Treasury Var
ious Other Mutters In Nebraska.
LINCOLN , Neb. , Jan. 7. A motion
for rehearing has been filed with the
supreme court In the suit Involving-
the irrigation laws of the state. Four
weeks ago the supreme court held to
the old English common law In the
matter of riparian rights and thereby
undermined the Irrigation of the en
tire state.wtheonly resource of owners
of thousands and thousands of arid ,
acres in western Nebraska.
Briefly stated , the court's opinion
held that a property owner along the
banks of a stream has the right to
use of that water undiminished in
quantity and undiluted in quality , so
far as property owners further down
the stream are concerned. As the tap
ping of streams and drawing off oC
water for irrigation purposes dimin
ished the quantity in the stream , all
attempts at Irrigation would be un
lawful according to this interpreta- ' *
f
lion.
Several attorneys of the western portion - j
tion of the state have interested
themselves in the case because of the
vast interests involved and the wide
sweeping effect of the court's announc
ed decision of allowed to stand. They
have united in a brief in suporpt of
the motion for rehearing , and in this
they argue that there is not a single
precedent in Nebraska to support the
court's opinion.
Mrs. .Jos. Slay Is Dead.
FREMONT , Neb. , Jan. 7. Mrs. Jo
seph May , wife of Joseph T. May of
this city , died after a long illness ,
aged 53 years. Her maiden name
was Gately and her family were lead
ers in social and business circles In
northern Mississippi before the war.
She married Mr. May shortly after the
war and very soon after came to Fre
mont , where they have since resided.
Before prevented by illness she was
prominent in the highest social circles
of the city.
Receive. $ fiOOOO Kacli.
PLATTSMOUTH , Neb. , Jan. 7.
The Misses Ella and Anna Crocker ,
who resided with their uncle , L. D.
Bennett , in this city in the ' 70s , but
are now living with their uncle , W.
F. Benentt , in Chicago , have received
the cheering news that they are heirs
to $50,000 each from the estate of an
uncle , Benjamin Crocker , who had
made a fortune of $500,000 during the
early days in California
Alien Visits the Interior.
SAN JUAN , P. R. , Jan. 6. Governor - "
Allen , who left San Juan -fhursday to
visit the towns in the western part
of the island , returned to the capital
today. He visited seveal places never
before visited by any governor of
Porto Rico. Everywhere he was most
enthusiastically received. At Tares
250 mounted citizens turned out to V \
provide him with an escort.
The CURB Advanced.
LINCOLN , Jan. 7. On motion of
Attorney General Smyth the supreme
court advanced the case of the State
cf Nebraska against the Omaha Na
tional bank , for hearing at the first
sitting in March. The court also
granted leave to file an amended peti
tion and an additional transcript.
Year's Showing i" Button.
SUTTON , Jan. 7. During the year
just closed Sutton has not been idle.
At a cost of several hundred dollars
the town has straightened a long bend
in School creek by digging a canal 500
feet long and eleven feet deep in order
to prevent the threatened inundation
of a pretty public park that is very
popular as a location for reunions and
celebrations.
ITnngs Himself in .Tall.
PLATTSMOUTH , Neb. , Jan. 7.
Charles Freisch , an insane man about
40 years of age , committed suicide by
hanging himself in the county jail
here. Freisch came here from Omaha
about ten days ago , and being pennile s
and apparently mentally deranged ,
he was sent to the poor farm. He es
caped from there Friday and came to
the city , when he was placed in jail.
AH Nebraska Land Sell * .
BURWELL , Neb. , Jan. 7. Interest
in real estate is b&coming quite appar
ent. Lott Fillmo e has just completed
a deal whereby ho gets over $4,000 for
a quarter section of land that could
have been purchased a short time ago
for $2,500 , and Wooster & Clark only
recently paid $1,250 for a 40-acre
tract.
Alleged Kidnapers at
BEATRICE. Neb. , Jan. 7. The kid
naping craze has struck this city. The
victim is the 12-year-old stepdaughter
of one Booth , who , he claims , has b ° pn
abducted from his home by one Bill
Bowers , a local character. The police
have been unable to locate either the
abductor or the adbucted , and the af
fair is likely to develop into a mild
sensation.
State Military Hoard-
LINCOLN , Neb. , Jan. 7. The state
military board , consisting of Adjutant
General Barry and Colonels Hayward
and Killian , met and decided to rec
ommend to the legislature the adop
tion of a new military code for the
government of the National Guard of
the state. The proposed law conforms
to the national army bill , but does not
sontain changes which will materially
affect the militia forces. According
lo its terms , the strngth of companies
will be limited to sixty-five men each ,
[ n this one respect the law differs
from the national bill , which was de
signed for an army on a war footing.