Omaha daily bee., 1890-12-14
GOING TO BE LEGISLATORS,
Views of the Douglas County Delegation on
Leading Questions.
RETIRING THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.
Supporting the Proposition of Paying
for Grading After the Manner
Employed in Paying
for Paving.
RETIRING THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.

In short talks with several members of the
Douglas county delegation in the coming leg
islature, BEE reporter secured the follow
ing views:
Mr. James Brennan do not care TO ex-
press any definite views regarding the meas
ures that may work for during the session
of the legislature. | have had but little time
to look the field over and consider what are
the most important matters deserving atten-
ton. You may put me down for one thing.
| shall work for every measure that believe
TO be for the best interests of Douglas county
and the whole state.
There is one matter upon which ex pect to
take decided stand. 1t is with reference to
parks l shall favor some measure which
will authorize the board of park commission
erS to take aggressive steps toward securing
a fine system of parks and boulevards for
Omaha. l think 1t would be well for
the business men of the city to
hold several public meetings for the purpose
of discussing needed changes in the city
charter and other desirable legislation, so
that the delegation can carry out the wishes
of the peOpleWhO are most interested.
MIR, W. A. Gardner-I think the time has
not arrived yet for me to express my decided
views upon matters of legislation, After
consult more with business men and consider
the views Of other members of our delega-
ton, | may have something to say.
There is one matter upon which think
the delegation will be unanimous. That is
with regard to grading bonds. There should
be a change in the charter which would per-
nit the city to issuse grading bonds the same
as we now issue paving bonds. We are all,
| think, agreed upon that proposition,
MIR. George Sternsdorf said: with refer
ence to repeating the act creating the state
board of railroad commissioners, the matter
should be carefully considered before final
steps are taken. Nearly all the states have Il
board of railroad commissioners, and to deter
mine my course on the above question |
would like, If possible to have the matter
| taken up by the legislature in manner that
would admit of a full discussion and inter
| change of views between members; and also
with persons well verscd with the sub.eet of
| railway transportation.
'I am not thoroughly familiar with the
present method of taxing railroad property,
but think such property should be assessed
! in the same ratio as the property and real es-
| tate If the personal proIe erty OF individ-
uals is assessed at one-quarter Of its value the
| personal property OF railways should be as
| sessed in the same proportion,
| 'As TO whoml shall support for speaker OF
| the house viii say that the matter has not
| been considered as yet by our delegation
excepting that we Will, think,
! possible to elect one. We realize the fact
| that the alliance party has the majority so
| we shall simply lay low and see what they
propose 10 do If we see that democrat can
| be elected we will of course, do what we can
| to place Douglas county man in the chair,
| But It is too early in the game to discuss the
matter with a degree of satisfaction,
| Mr. j. L, Shea, senator-elect, when asked
his views, said;
SIN answer 10 your question, what special
| measure, if any, or what law should | intro
duce to the next legislature, have to say
| that there are SEVERAL among which may be
mentioned, a bill for the purpose of increas-
| ing the judges in certain districtl, notably
| this district also several bills with refer
| ence to criminal procedure and to crimes, and
| bills to modify present existing laws.
| "In reference TO amendments in the present