Omaha daily bee., 1895-03-11
plLlNG 1r rp RArHER srEEp.

In tho face OF a 100000 deficit in the
state treasury 10y reason of the Mosher
bank robbery, and quarter of n million
overdraft for relief of the drouth suf-
ferers. and the great slump In state
revenue by reason of the terrible shrink
age in property values, the legislature
has been beset by a horde of political
spoilsmen and taxeaters who have
racked their fertile brains to hatch out
schemes that will afford them a chance
for making 4 living by their wits.
Some Of these schemes are decidedly
unique and ingenious. 1t Is proposed
in one of the bills now pending to
create Lexow investigating commits
sion for cities. which is to employ
ferret out all the crooks and boodlers
and frame new city charters that are to
be made into law by the legislature of
1897. Whether the commission would
trap the boodlers or the boodlers would
trap the commission is problematic. 1t
is certain, however, that the $4,000 law
yer would be open for several retainers
if there was really any power vested in
the commission to dislodge or discom-
mode the Doodle gangs and ringsters,
especially If the source of Doodle was
trnceablc to the headquarters of fran
chised corporations.
With paternal eye to the health of
the people an effort is being made to
check the inroads of dyspepsia by the
creation of n pure food commission,
with an analytical chemist to wrestle
with germs and bacteria at the modest
salary of $1,000 a year.
The State Board of Dentistry, organ
lied under the State Board of Health,
is to look after decayed and dislocated
teeth. with three dental secretaries to
keep a record of generation of politi-
clans that is becoming toothless from
'chawing" the quid of disappointment.
Another scheme of reform is the pro-
position to create state boiler inspection
under pretense that it will save life and
property. The fact is that the most
effective boiler inspection is done by the
inspectors of boiler insurance compan-
les which assume the risk of accidents.
If parties who fail to insure their
steam plant were made doubly liable
for all damages to property and injuries
to persons there would be greater
safety and no need of political boiler in
spection.
Several bills are now pending for an
immigration commission, with secre-
taries, agents and bill posters galore,
ostensibly to advertise Nebraska; in
reality to provide jobs for political
patriots who hanker after the fleshpots
While there may be some need of ad-
vertising Nebraska, there is no need of
u commission, secretary or agent. The
secretary of state or land commissioner
could detail one of their clerks to do al
the advertising and correspondence that
may be required to promote immigra
ton.
The irrigation bills that will doubtless
become law will create an opening for 9
chief secretary, two assistants and one
state engineer, although the prospect
for their being kept busy is not very
promising at this time.
Although the federal government has
made ample provision for live stock ant
meat inspection, the legislature is asked
to provide for few live stock inspect
ors, who probably do not know tn,
difference between yearling heifel
and bovine gelding.
A very promising field for place hunt
ers is in sight in the penitentiary, 1
the bills now pending are enacted ant
the state takes charge of the convicts
There are to be score of penitentiar.
sinecures, all, of course, at the dis
posal of the Board of Public Lands an,
Buildings, which is to assume all th
executive functions and relieve the gov
ernor from further responsibility, ex
cept granting pardons and issuing no
tarial commissions.
A soft berth is also being provided 70
some expert printer by the bill tha
creates commission of printing witt
n supervisor Of printing ut $1,000
year.
These various and ingenious device
for increasing the taxes do not, o
course, include the five oil inspector
ships, which are to be hereafter ladle,
out by the omnipotent Board of Publ
Lands and Buildings to the omniverou
horde of spoilsmen, but there are ais
in store for future suction severa
sugar inspectorships and insurance in
spectorships, bank examiners, and Incl
dentally also three fire and police com
| mjssioners for Omaha
With n state that is confessedly Il
terrible straits to make ends meet an
cant for public charity, can any part
or set of men justify or defend sue
legislation at this time?