THE ILLUSTRATED BEE.
Jane 6, 100k
2
Tun Illustrated Beh.
Iubllshrd Weekly by The fWhlahJn;
Com pa nr. Bee Building, Omaha, Neb.
Price, Be Pr Copr-Per Year. 2.oa
Entered at the Omaha Postoffice aa Second
Clans Mall Matter.
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Communications relating to photographs or
article for publication should be ad
dressed, "Editor The Illustrated Bee,
Omaha.1
Pen and Picture Pointers
trmfilffVi watf hnrn IntlY th linlrtn
Nl during times of trouble. Around
I ffirmntfvR nefinri of the stntn
lowered tha clouds of sectional
strife, and the giving of a name
to tho present great commonwealth was
almost accompanied by the lightings of
the struggle between the older states
which ended In the triumph of the free
oil Idea and the abolition of slavery for
ver. To a large extent the people of the
territory were actors In tla little drama
that was merely the "curtain raiser" for
the greater tragedy that was to appai the
world for four years, and the part played
by the early residents of the section Is
till recalled my many who participated In
It Nebraska had no Jim Lane, no John
Brown, and no Governor Reeder ever had
to escape from the people of the territory,
fleeing In disguise) to avoid certain assas
' slnntlon. No massacre blot the pages of
the state's history, and little of the vio
lence that accompanied the bitterness of
the struggle between the advocates of free
doro and slavery was enacted on the soil
Of Nebraska. Politics was marked with
much rancor, though, and the partisans
were aa earnest tf not as demonstrative
aa In Kansas. Nebraska's port, though not
go large, was as Important in the closing
days of the stave-power In the United
States as that of Kansas, and the Incidents
are well to recall, as showing the nature
of the strife that preceded actual war
fare between the sections. In an excellent
article, prepared for this number by Messrs.
J. A. Barrett and A. B. Sheldon, this phase
of Nebraska's history is given with soma
detail, and told In an Interesting m&naer.
j Coming Into existence ander such condi
tions, and with the stigma of "desert" at
tached to the land. It was natural that
Nebraska should attract only the bolder
spirit In its Infancy. Those who did
come, came with their minds made up to
face the hardships and privation of life
away from the older civilisation, but with
the glorious hops' of a home and poMlbltt
future wealth In the new country, trow
well they bullded many of tbera have been
spared to experience. Prophecy of material
and moral expansion has been more than
outrun, and actual experience has widened
the horlson for expectation to the end that
. oven the most sanguine do not undertake
to set down what Nebraska may be fa
another fifty years.
1
Hen who have bees active and prominent
In the affairs of the state have dealt with
this phase of tho topic, to the end that
Some notable expositions of the past and
present of Nebraako, with some bints at
what may reasonably be expected la the
future, are given in tltln number. These
are from men who have spent many years
within the state's borders, and who have
ben called by their fellow cHtoeas to
high placea of trust and power
and their acquaintance with the history
and faith In the future gives them right
to speak as they da concerning the great
commonwealth that ho leaped so tar Into
ths advance of tha great untun of states.
Nebraska has mora than redeemed every
promise made for ft la tho beginning, and
baa more than realised every hope of the
men who laid the foundations of Its govern
ment. Its people hava been among tba
most progressive aad most prosperous of
the nation; they encountered the hardships
Of pioneer life, and suffered the trying ex
periences that came with the winning of
the wilderness, but they have ever kept
high the standard of civilisation, and for
years have been at the head of tke list of
all the states In point of Intelligence, hav
ing the lowest percentage of illiteracy la
the United States. Religion and educa
tion and all that goes to make for tha
higher life have thrived In Nebraska, and
the future Is certain for Its people.
II is Present
"John," sfca raid, "your little wlfcy has
been saving up her money to buy yoa a
Bice present."
'Oood littld wtfey." a replied. "What
la it?"
"A smoking Jacket," she explained. "An
I saved the money all myself oat of tha
house allow.ince. Wasn't 1 thought fait"
"Splendid!" he exclaimed.
"And now I wtah you'd bring me hem
some more money aright.'
"What did you do with that 1 breach t
. home last sight T" he asked In seme sur
print. "Oh, ttutVa what I save tha amukhrg
Jacket money on of." sha answered, "had
there wasn't any left" Chicago Post.
Fifty Years of Material
T.fTlOtMIlI ontv it ralnrlArnt In
I the passing of time, It Is worthy
hi erf tinte that th r4!hrA.tlrkri rf thrt
centennial of the purchase of the
territory of Louisiana and tha
semi-centennial of the organisation of the
territory of Nebraska from a portion of
the former, are both at thlwtlme receiving
some attention from those taking interest
in the country's growth and development
While the minds of the peoples of the
civilised world are directed to a great
exposition commemorative of the acquisi
tion to the national domain, through the
far-seeing statesmanship and matchless
diplomacy of the Illustrious Jefferson, of a
great area of country in the very heart of
the American continent, out of which have
been carved many of the great states of
the union, we of this state, in a modest
way, give publicity to the fact that one
half a century ago the foundation wan laid
for the building of one such common
wealth by the organization of the territory
of Nebraska out of a portion of the coun
try thus acquired.
As the Louisiana Purchase exposition,
now In progress at the metropolis of the
country ceded to the American govern
ment WO years ago by the emperor of
France, affords unmistakable evidence of
the marvelous and almost magical devel
opment and progress of the tmnsmlHsisslppi
country since that time, so it Is that in
tills state, and for a period covering but
one-half of the time, is the evidence at
hand and upon every side of the most
impressive character, convincing to the
mowt obdurate, that Nebraska, since its
formation into a territory, has by leaps
and bounds, and with the strido of a
giant, grown in wealth and population
until it has become in this short period
of time one of the strong commonwealths
of the nation. When organised as a ter
ritory it was by many well-informed mm
regarded, and so designated In the books,
as a great barren waste and a sandy
desert, fit only for the Indian and the
buffalo, and Quite unsulted to the needs
and requirements of the progressive, In
telligent American cltisen. The hardy pio
neer, who is constantly and restlessly mov
ing from the rising to the setting sun In
his resistless onward march, soon Invaded
the unknown territory and a country, rich
In soil, congenial la climate and with won
derful opportunities for development and
the making of prosperous and nappy
homes for the countless thousands of the
present generation and the millions yet
unborn, was brought to public view.
To carry the analogy further, as tha
Louisiana purchase embraced the choicest
and richest of the natural resources of tha
American continent, so Nebraska's fcrtils
plains and valleys Included some of ths
most fruitful and best of thij vast em
pire. It occupies relatively a similar posi
tion with respect to the territory em
braced within the Louisiana purchase that
that territory does to the whole of the
United States. It possesses an equable
cltitate being neither so far north as to
be unusually cold nor so far south as to
he oppresKlvely warm. Its surface la un
broken by high mountains and It 1 eo well
drained as to be altogether free from
swamps and marshy places with attendant
conditions inimical to the enjoyment of
health and happiness. With ampla ra la
fall over tha larger area of the state, agrl-.
culture is carried on roost successfully and
under conditions as favorable as. In tho
other states In the great Mississippi valley,
tha granary of tha world. When the stata
yet comparatively in Its Infancy can pro
duce, as It has done In tho past, mora
bushels of wheat and corn than any other
of I be great agricultural states, then It
must be conceded It has earned and is
entitled to a position well In the forefront
Of the sisterhood of states In times past,
tha remark was sometimes heard that the
western portion of the state because of
the Insufficiency of rainfall contributed
nothing to tho growth and upbuilding of
the state and It has even been suggested
that ths state might with profit be di
vided. Such remarks are no longer heard.
With the millions of acres brought under
Irrigation in the level and fertllu valleys,
with the climate unsurpassed and with ths
Inexhaustible fertility of soil capable of
supporting a dense population under a well
developed system If Irrigation, where small
farms can bo mads to prod ace three and
fourfold as much aa where the natural
rainfall la relied upon, with the hills and
aplands coveted with rich grastes and do
Voted to the raiding of live slock, this
part of the state Is raphlly developing
In wealth and population and "the stone
which the builders rejected has become
tha heed of the corner."
NebnUka citlsenshlp won represents that
contented condition and evvanrss of lite
spoken of by 8eloenon wherein It la sold,
"Give me aolther poverty nor riches."
There are few slUaens of great wealth nor
should there ho any In extreme poverty.
Tha people of tba state are chatacteris
Uratly hornt wears and homo baildors. Tha
distribution f.f tha wealth and comforts
of Ufa aa at all may eajoy tha- rama
approaches si ore aearly tha Ideal Ufa.
It Is doubtiil If aay other state In tha
union presents a more satisfactory state of
affairs in this respect The location, and
surroundings, tha growth and development
In population and material wealth of tha
territory and state during the first fifty
years of Its existence Is a cause for mutual
felicitations and warrants the belief that
In the next half century yet Immeasurably
greater will be her progress and advance
ment In the Increase of her population and
the development of her resources, aid
that there shall be attained a higher civili
sation, the beauty and perfcctr.e. of
which we can now scarcely comprehend.
The occasion renders it appropriate that
some reference be had to the social and
civic life of the state In addition to com
ment on its natural advantages. Too much
cannot be said in praiao of the foresight
and Intelligence of the early pioneers who
first settled in the state and took part in
the formation of a well-ordered social sys
tem in framing Its laws and establishing
a wise plan of government for the comfort
of society and the protection and preserva
tion of rights of person and property.
Schools and churches were established as
settlements were made and marked the out
posts of advancing civilisation. The foun
dation was early laid for the proud emi
nence later attained In the enjoyment of
the distinction of having a population with
the least percentage of illiteracy of any of
the states of the union. Nebraska is es
sentially a state of schools, colleges and
universities. Its people during Its entire
history have been devoted to the cause of
education. Its educational institutions have
been and are the especial pride .of all cltl
aena Upon this subject we are all United.
The first settlers believed In the dissemina
tion of knowledge and the dissipation of
Ignorance. They believed In progress, ad
vancement, growth and development. Tha
results have given ample proof of their
Intelligent wisdom and foresight.
It Is proper here to offer a tribute of
praise and gratitude to those of a past
generation who planned so well and laid
so firmly the foundation upon which has
stJce been erected tho superstructure of
a state government which has proven most
stable in form. Just and fair to all inter
ests and which vouchsafes to all equality
before the law. Some of these eminent
men are yet living. Many of them came
here In the caily daya of the history of tho
territory and the state. These wero men
of stout heart and active brain who have
had so much to do with shaping tho funda
mental and statute laws which now gov
' em us. Aside from Its natural advantages,
the most potent Influence which has con
tributed to the growth and development of
the state can be traced to the wisdom
and foresight of these fearless and able
men whose lives are written In so many
pages of Its history. For over a quarter
of a century we have been living under the
constitution promulgated by the wisdom,
statesmanship and patriotism of those to
whom I have referred. Their wisdom and
capacity for so important an undertaking
is attested by the fact that the Btate has
grown and prospered so well and with
no considerable sentiment favorablo to
radical changes In that Instrument. That
some changes bj required Is generally con
ceded. The wonder Is that so few have
been called for. In what mannr shall
our fundamental law be altered? Regard
ing this there Is a division of sentiment
Whether by a eonstltutlonal convention or
by amendment to the present Instrument
lo the question to be decided. Much argu
ment of merit may be advanced In support
of either plan. Tha present fundamental
law la nearly all respects Is an Ideal one.
Borne amendments, however, are Impera
tively demanded.
The subject Is worthy the attention and
consideration of tho best minds of tho
state. The patriotic sentiment of the peo
ple Bhould be aroused to the transcendent
importance of the subject The press, all
powerful as leaders of thought and rnolders
of public opinion, nas hare a great task to
perform. Public Interests have been al
lowed to suffer because of insufficient at
tention and consideration to the question
of r.mendmente of tha most simple charac
ter and yet of the utmost Importance.
Thre exists urgent necessity for an amend
ment which wtll give wider latitude for tho
profitable Investment of the trust funds be
longing to Uie state which arc devoted to
educational purposes. With funds and In
vestments now amounting to more than
$5,000,000 and a probable Increase of these
funds to flO.000.noo or more and with the
constitutional restrictions now existing re
garding investments In securities yielding
reasonable returns. It becomes at once ob
vious that we are neartng tha danger line.
If hot. In fact, Inviting a most deplorable
condition of affairs. It Is assumed that
the increased revenues to be collected under
the new law will result In tho gradual ex
tinguishment of the states floating in
debtedness, thus closing on of the avenues
l.cw open for the inveatment Of these
funds, In which event It seems fair to pre
sume that large sums must constantly re
main idle to tha partial deprivatioa of tha
children of tha stata of the patrimony so
widely provided fo thHr benefit Danger
Una mot ealy rn tha direction of retaining
uninvested large sums of these trust funds,
Progress
but also. Judging by past expartenca, la
tha safe-keeping and caring for them while
at compelled to remaia Idle.
An amendment providing for tha enlarge
ment 'of the supreme court Is proven by.
experience and considered by those In
formed on tha subject to be ana of tba
pressing demands of today. A supreme
court commission to aid in tha work of
the court can only be regarded aa a tem
porary expedient A delay in the ad
ministration of Justice Is in a measure a
denial of It and I cannot but believe that
the Interests of the whole people are far
better subserved by a prompt, speedy and
final disposition of all matters which are
tho subject of litigation in the court a
In this connection, I venture the sugges
tion as one possibly worthy of eonsldera.
tlon of a plan which makes provisions fot
the establishment of an intermediate court
as better calculated to accomplish tha
desired result and by such method afford
relief to the court of last resort of much
of Its labors that now cornea to It direct
from the trial courts of the atate.
Salaries of some of the state officers, If
I be permitted to apeak on tha subject,
are confessedly low and admittedly not
commensurate with the labors and re
sponsibilities Imposed on the incumbents.
Justice to those who give their time and
best efforts In the service of tha state re
quires reasonable remuneration be given
them and this can be accomplished only
by a constitutional amendment.
The organic law itself, as I view tha
subject should be altered and made sus
ceptible of amendment with less difficulty
than that whlcA experience has demon
strated now stands In the way of amend
ing It In any of lis parts.
Many other subjects of equal Importance
night be adverted to, but time and space
forbid. A strong Inclination arises toward
a discussion of the subject of revenue and
taxation, a matter so very viral to all
cltlxens and affecting as It does In a mens
uro every owner of property In tlie state,
but the proprieties of the occasion Is a
warning that .the tlmj Is Inopportune.
Innumerable questions affecting the wel
fare of the people and the development of
the state deserve mention and considera
tion which cannot here be given. There is
responsibility resting upon all. There Is
some duly to be performed by each. We
should all be up and doing to the end that
the work heretofore begun may be carried
forward to a successful conclusion. Those
of tha present generation meet and grapple
with the great problems confronting them
relating to . human government Let the
Intelligent and patriotic eitixens'-ip of today
realise the responsibilities resting upon
the people and seise hold of and overcome
the difficulties we now have to contend
with, displaying In doing so the same seal
and courage as did the early pioneers. Let
us ever keep in mtnd the 'sentiment con
tained in the state's notto, "Equality be
fore the taw," and wfth a keen sensa of
fairness and Justice ta alt perform our
whole duty so that when another fifty
years shall hava rolled away and the 100th
anniversary of the formation of the terri
tory of Nebraska Is being celebrated by
the millions who shall then live within its
borders, they may be ahle lo say of us:
"They lived In their day and generation
and performed well their part la ihe u,v
building of a grand commonwealth whoe
government is founded on tha principles of
human liberty, equality and Justice."
Pointed Paragraphs
Bono men stop drtrklng for tba pleasu"w
of beginning once mora.
Friendship is one of the things that caa
not be preserved in alcohol.
A busy person isn't necessarily Indus
trlou. Gossips are always busy.
Neighborly sympathy, a a mie, turns
out to be about nine-tenths curiosity.
Some girls are too modest to ask for an
dresaed kids at a glove counter.
There Is nothing natural a'.-oat awaa
women but the foundation and framework.
While the pcsalmint sees onry the thorn
n the rose the optlmhit sees only the rose
on the thortis.
Every candidate or a back township of
fice imagines the coonlry will go to tho
dogs if he Isn't elected.
When a mother hustles her children out
of th room when another worn a a call
It's a sign there Is gowrlp In tho air. Chi
cago News.
Qualified
The young man was applying for a po
sition as drug clerk.
"And you consider yourself competent
to stand In a pharmacy!" Interrogated tha
proprietor.
"I should say so," respoi-ded tha young
man. I can smile at babten, hand out
tea almanacs a second, understand tho
soda water wink, pasts stamps on an
vdopas. hunt up names In taa directory
aad Haten ta overytMurV troubles."
"You'll do! Dmt oil tba teotft brushes,-.
Chicago Neac.
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