Omaha daily bee., 1889-01-08
LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP.
Interesting Points About Members
and Oniccrs and Their Work.

and Oficcrs and Their Work.
LINCOLN, Neb., Jan. I-fSpecial to The
BEE. Very few Of the members remain
over during the recess. Representatives
Hanna, Lee, st. Rayner and Mceker were
observed at their desks this morning busily
engaged in answering letters from their con
stitucnts.
The press gang has q hard row TO noe in
obtaining their rights The desks furnished
them are totally inadequate and of the cheap
est order. Only eight seats arc provided for
the press, and twice that number would find
an occupant. Omaha takes half of the seats,
and Lincoln the others except one, which is
occupied by the correspondent of the Chicago
Times.
Tom Cooke, assistant clerk of the house,
has an excellent voice, but he runs along
through a pill like lightning calculator, and
the reporter who catches on to the scope of
the measure must have sharp ears. If econ
omy in reading bills would reduce EXPENSES,
Cooke would soon pay off the national debt.
If the speaker does not call q halt soon the
number of pages will equal that of the mem-
bcrs. The boys are clamorOus and persist
ent, and will not take no for an answer. AL
ready about sixteen have been appointed.
The house was long time in getting the
postoilice running. The members did not
StJ IUtlT ltdll NJ llG uOuSt ulIll
evening. A temporary postmaster and mail
carrier might have been appointed, but the
matter was overlooked.
The only appointee in the house who has
not shown up is the superintendent of cuspi-
dors. He does not seem to banker after mis-
job and here will be Il chance for some untor-
tunatC applicant who got left.
Mr.. Lewis, who was second assistant sec
retGry in the senate at the last session, got
badly left in his candidacy for the same posi-
tion.
The most genial, whole-souled officer about
the Legislature is f.. &. Parkinson, sergeant
alarms of the senate. Everybody seems to
be happy when he Is around. The old sol
diers are Justly securing their full share of
appointments
The senate is an extremely youthful body,
there being only two old heads visible from
the press seats. The young rustlers seem TO
have gotten to the front in politics in good
shape
In the house the number of middle-aged
and elderly men is more noticeable good
majority are probably over thlrty-tive. Hanna
of Greeley enjoys the distinction of being
the youngest member, though Cruzen of
Frontier is about the same age. Both are
bright young men from whom some good
work may be expected,
The farmer members of the house are a
solid and substantial body of men, and can
be depended on to act together at the critical
moment. They may be relied on to block
any useless or eXtravagant measures. There
may be some Bayards among them, but as Il
class they will compare favorably with the
lawyers.
The iolhest member of the house is Field
grove of Buffalo He is well-to-do German
farmer, and has come down to Lincoln to see
where the money goes.
Adam Seed of Seward, who was born IN
the north of Ireland, believes in woman suf-
frage and will champion the municipal suf-
frage bill. SO far he is the only member who
has expressed his sentiments on the subject.
E,,l
port in the house-not, however, enough to
pass it.
Eric johnson, the independent republican
candidate from Phelps, impreSSes one as
,clear-brained, conscientious member and
one whom the oilroom gang and boodlers
will have good reason to fear His constitu-
ents need have no misglvingS as to his course.
1t will be plain and straightforward, and he
will shirk no duty or responsibility.
The Republican valley sent In some eX
cellent members and some whose record will
bear watching Among the former are
Messrs. Bailey of Franklin, Elliott of Har-
Ian, Hampton of Webster and Hanthorn of
Nuckolls. About the slickest member of
the house is Tom Majors of Nemaha. Pro-
Tossing to be a farmer and stock-dealer, he
can always be depended on by Church Howe
and his gang to do just about what the rail
roads want. He has polished and winning
manner that serves him well and makes him
quite popular with the new members.
Walt Seeley wears perpetual smile Ed
itor Wells did not develop stiff vertebre,
but got off the track for secretary of the
senate just as he began to scare Seeley, and
when little vigorous work might have
given him the victory.
The familiar cry, 'Who is James Y. Led
iker!" has given way to the query, "Who
stole the governors message and gave it to
the Heraldr The clerks in the governors
office will mot be in" after this when the
pilferer presents himself and requests few
pointers. The work of the enterprising
scribbler is not approved by the press repre-
sentatives here, and they feel that the gov
ernor is fully justified in the view he takes
of the matter.
The state house has been IN a delightful
state of confusion the past week, as some of
the offices were being moved into the new
building. The inside work is not yet com
pleted, and from appearances it will take all
winter to put on the finishing touches
There is a unanimous kick on the part of the
visitors against the quality of the stone pave
ment which is being laid down on the APP
proaches of the capitol. The stone Is rough
and uneven, and has great openings between
the sections. 1t is either very cheap job or
there is something rotten in Denmark,