Nebraska advertiser., 1857-12-31
Editorial correspondence
Omaha. NJ 7. !
Dec. 10, 81. (

Dec. 10, 81.
Since my last several important mat
tiers have been under consideration in the
Council; but not yet finally disposed of.
The Homestead Bill, introduced by Mr..
Stafford from Otoe, was under discussion
in Committee of the Whole, near two
days. After being amended in several
particulars, was referred to a Select
Committee of three, of which Mr.. Saf@d
is chairman. There was not much diff
ference of opinion as to how much real
estate the head of a family should hold as
a homestead. The Bill now stands al
lowing 160 acres in the country, or half
an acre in any town or city with the i'm
provements thereon, in both cases. Quite
an animated discussion arose as TO wheth-
er any limit in valuation should be placed
upon the homestead, and if so, what that
amount should be; and also whether the
benefits of such act should extend to I'M
married men over the age of q years.
The latter is a new feature, and most
certainly unprecedented, and yet under
the circumstances surrounding us, and
the objects designed in part to be accom-
plished by this act, we see no great i'm
propriety in including that somewhat nu-
merous. and unfortunate portion Of our
citizens, sold bachelors" in the list of
those entitled to the benefits of the
Homestead provisions. As to limiting
the value of the homestead, we are OPP
posed. Here we may be met with the
argument, Unprecedented" Grant it
Is not Nebraska as competent to establish
a precedent In this, as well as other mat
tiers, as previous Territories? We think
so. Again it is difficult to say what that
limit should be in a new country like ours,
with everything comparatively unsettled.
A Resolution has passed the Council,
and we believe in the House also, that
they viii hereafter entertain no business,
or bills, for special Legislation, where the
benefits sought can be secured under
general acts already in existence for
such purposes. This is most certainly a
correct position. Heretofore the greater
portion of the time allotted for the sitting
of the Legislature has been consumed in
passing special or local bills about which
the members knew very little if anything.
Such matters should be-as they princi.
pally all are-in the hands of the county
authorities.
A Resolution endorsing Judge Fergu.
son as the Delegate from this Territory
passed the Council by a vote of 8 to 5
1t is now in the House where it will meet
with lively opposition, but will undoubt.
edly pass by a handsome majority.
A bill providing for the license and
regulation of SpirituOus Liquors is now
before the Council. There is probably
not a dissenting voice in this body as tc
the propriety and even necessity of pass.
ing some kind of license law. There may
be, undoubtedly will, arise differences OF
opinion upon the details of a bill. The
maximum and minimum license fee ha.
been agreed upon, viz: $50 and $500
A license bill will pass the Council and
we feel quite confident, the House also.
A Bill providing for the encourage
ment of the growth Of Hedge fences he.
passed the Council and cannot meet witt
any opposition in the House, certainly
This is an important matter to Farmer
of Nebraska.
Nothing definite as to a new Governo,
for Nebraska has yet been learned.
is said that the position has been rendered
to J. w. Stephenson, M. c., from Ken
lucky, and declined; and that it is nov
again rendered Mr.. Richardson of Hi
nois, and should he decline hat it will b
rendered Nj. Vail of New Jersey. A
before remarked, however there is moth
sng definite or reliable.
The Third House has been endeavor
ing to get underway the past week, bu
witbsSt such success a heretofore.
mounts this year 10 nearly or quite g
fzzle."
F.
al nao 90 1857