Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-29
WATERMAN AS A WATCHDOG
eenator from Wapollo Will Gut OF EI-
travagance in Making Appropriations
INTENDS TO KEEP WITHIN THE INCOME
Onslaught of the Appropriation Com
binc Checked by the Forcsfght
of u Conservative Chairman
I'm the Senate.

7 DIES MONIES, Feb. 2s.-(special)-Th APP
preparation combine has run against snag
In the senate In tho person of Senator ii. l..
Waterman, chairman OF the committee on
appropriations. The senator from Wapello,
in view Of the depleted condition OF the
treasury and in order to better resist the
organized raids that past experience had
taught him would be made upon the states
exchcquer, had an apparently harmless order
made that all bills approprating money be
referred to his committee. When this order
was made a resolution which authorized the
purchase Of some railroad maps at nominal
cost was pending, and on Senator water
mans suggestion that II might possibly In
volve an appropriation the order was made.
Following up this advantage the senator
has insisted that all appropriations shall be
considered together, and that not dollar
shall be appropriated for any purpose in ex-
cess of the estimated receipts.
The plan of the combine contemplated the
passage early In the session Of all the meas
ures covering special and extraordinary ap-
preparations that could be postponed till an
other session and then join in with the state
institutions and make large increase in the
general levy under the plea that the wards
of the state could not be neglected. Three
bills originating In the house and carrying
appropriations of $4,000 for the semi-cen-
tennia celebration at Burlington, $10,500 for
q memorial hall aud $4,000 with per
quisites' for the State Agricultural society
were rushed through that body without refer
ence to the committee on appropriations.
only to be side-tracked by the foresight of
Chairman Waterman. The state fair appro-
priation has been reduced to 81 900 and both
the other measures are likely to come to
grief.
The senate will recommend a special
tax of one-tenth of 1 mill on the dollar for
the support Of the State university, which
will create a fund approximating $50, 900 an
nually for this purpose.
The senate committee on labor has decided
to recommend bill largely increasing the
power OF the state commissioner of labor.
sf this bill becomes law. the commissioner
by himself or deputy has the right to go
anto every mlne factory or workshop and
Enquire into the minutest details of the
business. There Is a general feeling that
some such authority should be given this
official or else the office itself should be
abolished.
BUSY KICKING EACH OTHER
The crushing defeat administered to resub-
mission yesterday is the one subject of con-
wersation in legislative circles. All kinds Of
charges and countercharges are being made
accused Of selling out, and as really desiring
the defeat Of the measure through jealousy
because he had not been put In charge. 1t
is conceded that the failure of Mr.. Funk
to claim the floor and assume the leadership
at the critical moment gave the speaker the
opportunity to order roll call and thus shut
~ what might have been prolonged into
days CT acrimonious debate TO little purpose.
The change in sentiment in their districts
since the opening Of the session is given as
of ha wh pird
Hendershot, Ladd and Thompson, who had
been confidently counted on to support resub
mission. joined the opposition when the test
came
The liberal element will follow up this
advantage and press the Pusey bill. authoriz
ing the manufacture in this state of alco-
hollc. vinous and malt liquors. and it does
not now seem possible that this measure
can be defeated. The Early bill repeating
tho IS per cent clause OF the muct law and
authorizing counties to adopt the mulct sys-
TEN on the petition of a bare majority OF
the voters. will not likely be pushed in the
house, as there seems t9 be an unwillingness
on the part Of the representatives from the
river counties, where the law is already in
operation, to force saloons upon the interior
counties, or to reopen an agitation upon the
question, which would almost surely follow
such action.
ders that have caused considerable merri-
ment In the lower house. First, two bills
were passed without any enacting clause, and
then, after days Of debate, an 'age of con-
sent" bill was passed which affixed no penalty
for the debauching Of a girl over 16 by
youth between 16 and 1S. The bill creating
the State Board of Embamers contained no
section providing for an examination of ap-
plicants, which, unless remedled, will defeat
the object of the measure, and Is otherwise
defective.
WOMAN SUFFRAGE DEFEATED.
Th,, oasainp of tha house was mainly cnn-
sumed In discussing the Funk bill providing
for the submission of constitutional amend
ment to strike out the word male from
the constitution, which was reached In reg
ular order. Mr.. Funk made lengthy speech
in favor Of woman's right to the ballot, using
the well known arguments in favor of the
proposition. He was followed by Bell, Van
Houten, Smith, Ray, Clark, Mcdonald, Hin
man and others.
Mr. Lambert of Jackson offered an amend
ment that only women over 21 years of age
should be allowed to vote on the question.
but It was ruled out OF order by Speaker
Byers as not being germane to the question.
Mr. Reed OF Story led the opposition. He
said no one honored the womanhood of this
country more than he, but he protested in
the name of the mothers of Iowa against this
attempt to bring the exalted womanhood Of
this country down to the common plane &C.
cupied by man. Morrison of Grundy, Crow,
Gurley and Klemme, all republicans, spoke
in opposition. The bill received 49 votes.
all republicans except Porter. populist, and
Manahan, only lacking two Of constitu-
tional majority.
The house passed the bill by Reed, provid-
ing free text books for public schools, when
authorized by vote Of the majority of the
electors.
The senate indulged in a long wrangle
endeavoring to remedy defects in the age Of
consent bill. and finally referred the bill
back to the judiciary committee for the
third time.
The senate committee on pharmacy Will