Nebraska advertiser., 1865-02-02
Capitol correspondence.
C. G.. DsRsEr, Sec.
OMAHA Jan. %, 1865

Mr.. Editor The honorable gentle
men, who had pressing engagements at
home, returned to their seats on last
Monday, locking slightly fatigued, but
not more so than might have been ex-
pected, as some of them had quite a trip
to make. These a~djournments in the
middle of the session, l Judge, must be
great annoyance to members who do not
wish to squander the forty days this way.
/ think myself it woold evince much
greater love of country for all legislative
bodies, national or territorial, to abandon
such a custom, do what is to be done and
return 20 their homes. But, says the
small-fry Nebraska law-maker: Con
gress made lhe appropriation. and ws
uns mought jist as wall git IT." The
force of the argument is irresistible,
therefore, the legislative incubation must
be completed, though the brood of laws
may be monstrosities, shapeless, and de-
formed, without head or tail, body or
brains. 1 am satisfied the legitimate
business could have been done, and well
done too, within twenty days.
A standing rule requires all bills to be
considered by the Committee of the
Whole, unless otherwise ordered. This
rule can, with much truth, be styled the
time-killer or safety-valve. Some mem
bers would explode unless a fair chance
was given them to "shoot off their
mouths" and thereby consume the forty
days. These whales often blow a power
full volume of gas to only a few members
who are engaged in listening to the WOO
ings Of morpheus, the balance being out
Of tho hall, or Longing about the lobby,
not realizing the fact, perhaps, that the
day and the hour will soon roll around
when they must give, an account Of their
dOlngs before the dear people.
1t is settled, that a General Herd Law
will not pass the House and your mem
bers feel instructed [by large petitions
to advocate the enactment of one for Ne
maha county. They inform me no re-
m~onstrance against the law has been sent
up, and the only course Of action for them
is to support a law of this character
Such of your citizens as are in favor of
letting their stock destroy their neigh
boris crops had better send along an op-
posing petition to a Herd Law If this
is not done, and signed by a majority,
the law will be passed without a doubt
The wood chuckS" will be compelled to
restrain their "animiles" from seeking
what they can devour," at the expense
Of their less fortunate prairie neighbOrs.
Your Councilman and members of the
House seem to be guided in their legis-
lation by the old Latan phrase /: Pro bono
Publico. They do not propose to fall
at the feet of the few men who now hold
the destiny of Nemaha county in the
hollow of their hands. They are fully
posted as to the source of opposition to
the settlement and cultivation of your
lands-as rich as any, l am told, as ever
were moistened by the showers of Heav-
en-! In my humble opinion they your
members are pulling at the right string,
and words of cheer should not be forgot
ten, nor their hands allowed to grow
weary, in thus contending for a measure
calculated to make Nemaha the Eden of
Nebraska The Law will compel the
cultivation of forest and fruit trees, and
live fences. This is the chief object to
be attained. In order to carry out such
a wise provision of the law stock must be
restrained from running at large. In
this way in a few years the cry of de-
6ciency of timber will not be hegrd in
your county. Your lands will go into
cultivation your county revenue also
increase; school houses, and houses de-
dicated to the worship of the Most High,
Dc found in every township, nook and
corner" of your county! in a word.
transform and beautify every hill, valley
and plain, rendering them fit and desira.
Bile as homes for the rich, as fell as for
the poor ~wanderer. "who hath not where.
on lay to his'head.p
Information has just been communities.
ted to me that some Of your citizens
"fnd fault" with your Councilman
"for not representing Nemaha county as
opposed to the Herd Law on account of
of timber" How can this
be! Are the large petitions sent from
your county fOrgeries or falsehoods? Or
do they state facts7 The day has passed
for quilting people at a distance with the
sterotyped expression abundance of
stone and stone ceal." Admit
that Nemaha possesses as much, if not
more timber than any other county in
The Territory, still she needs a herd Law
r-o1or1u do1olon bar ~o,;