Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-16
LEGISLATION IN PROSPECT
Many Measures Which Effect Omaha and
Douglas County,
APPROPRIATION FOR The EXPOSITION
Possible Changes in the Fire aud Po-
lice Commission and Hoard of
Public MorLs-1nII, OF Home
Rule for the city.

The next session Of the Nebraska lecisia-
turo will begin In a little less than two
months ana speculation is already active in
regard to the nature Of the legislation that
viii he attempted during the winter. This
is particularly the case in Douglas county,
which is most directly interested in a good
deal Of the lawmaking that is in prospect.
The policy that will be pursued by the DOUG
las county delegation is not as easily fore
castod as 1t might be IL The delegation was
less variegated In its political complexion.
II is generally believed that the different
elements will asslmilate. however and work
together for the good of the people This is
asserted by those who are entitled to be
considered the leading spirits in the dele
cation and they declare that private inter-
Csis will be laid aside for the general well
fare.
Naturally the first question in imnortanca
is the legislation necessary for the Trans
mississippi Exposition The newly elected
members are confident that In spite OF the
economical Ideas OF many OF the members
OF the house and senate a liberal appro-
pFlation can be secured for that enterprise.
They admit that ii will require careful man.
aSemeni and the relinquiShing of many uer-
Sonal interests. The exposition will have
TO be made the one great aim Of the dele
cation and be given the rlEh; of way over
all other local legislation
win regard TO such legislation as affects
the city Of Omaha, the delegation is con-
l ironted with any number OF schemes. some
OF them have some elements OF strength
while others are wholly visionary or narti-
san. so far there is no definite understand
ing among the Douglas county members ss
TO the course to be pursued on spccidc mat
lers, some OF the members have been to-
stiher informally on several occasions and
discussed general plan Of action but with
out going into details. There is only one
thlnE that seems TO be conceded That ia
that the delegation will endeavor to secure
the passage OF law which will give the
voters q Omaha the power to amend tbeir
| own charter, the amendments Fuggpsted "a
be submitted to the voters at a special or
general election.
FIRE AND POLICE COMMISSION.
II is also a pretty general llnpression
that some action will be taken relative ia
| The present Board of Fire and Police com
missioners. In this case the members are
embarrassed by the desire Of some of their
more radical supporters to rcorEguize both
the tre and police departments on a very
different basis from that on which thev
/ now rest dozen plans have been sug-
ststed by way OF changes in the present
law, but so far none OF them have been en-
dorsed by the delegation. Several of the
most influential membCrs-olCCt declare that
they are opposed 10 any radical action In
this or any other matter. They believe
that some features OF the present law
| should be changed. The governor sbould
be vested with the authority to appoint tho
! commissioners and the mayor should be-
a member OF the board. Others declare
| that the members OF the commission should
be elected by the people of this city but
/ they were not favorably inclined toward
any law that would legisate incumbent Of
/ 1cials out of office. II was suggested
| that If an amendment was passed giving
| the people of this city the power to amend
/ their own charter il was not unlikely that
4 the fire and police matter would be passed
over and left to be adjusted by the people
/ themselves.
II goes without saying that this plan is
I not agreeable TO many Of the supporters
| OF the fusion ticket There Is q disposition
! on the part Of this element TO use the
4 power recently acquired to the fun extent
/ II is seriously recommended that the entire
/ present fabric of municipal government
should be abolished and built over again
/ As one reason for such action il is urged
/ that II is becoming the custom OF most OF
! the larger cities to hold their city elections
/ in the spring in order that the interest Of
/ the people in electinE good municipal Of
/ hcers may not be eClipsed in the excitement
/ Of a general election. These people want
/ TO begin al over again by passing a law
| that will authorize a city election next
\ Sl'l A4lt ~ 'A'NN al 'iINAl Ils new set Oh o.
/ ficers and repeal such present laws as
might conflict with such an arrangement.
COSTS roo MUCH.
The Board of Public WorLe is another
fruitful subject Of discussion. For a long
time past there has been a very apparent
sentiment in favor Of reorganization OF
this department. This has not been con-
fined 10 curbstone opinions. but has been
indicated by some very emphatic express
sions from official sources. number OF
city officials have contended that as present
organized the cost of the board was all out
Of proportion to its usefulness 1t has
been freely asserted that TO pay SG.5OO a yeaS
10 three members OF the Board of Public
Works was useless extravaganza and that
the work now done by the board could be
easily attended TO by ho2rd composed OF
the city engineer and two other city officials
| and without any expense for salaries This
opinion is held by a number OF the logisla-
tors and IL is altogether probable that some
| legislation in regard TO this matter will be
attempted unless sufficient influence is
! brought to bear by some OF the local cor
pOrations TO choke IL off IN this conncc-
| tion there is a good deal or talk In favor
| Of putting the entire Board o. Public Works
| department In charge Of the city engineer
! ana making this an elective Office The
plan is opposed however, py one or two
members Of the delegation VINO assert that
70 make the office OF city engineer elective
| would detract very materially from the
eihciehcy OF that Official, it would be very