Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-22

characterized the resolution as being ner-
row In spirit and not calculated to partlcu-
larly impress tho people OF the state with
the senate's judgment.
RANsoMs DEFENSE or DOUGLAS.
Mr. Ransom Of Douglas closed the debate.
He said that no one was deceived at the In
tent OF the resolutions; 1t was aimed solely
at Omaha II had become the fashion. de-
clared Mr. Ransom, for a certain faction IN
the state to oppose anything that was par
ticularly desired by Omaha and Douglas
county He deprecated this sentiment and
declared 1t unworthy OF the people Of the
state He pointed to the fact that In twenty
years the people OF Douglas county had
paid into the state treasury 97h per cent Of
all the taxes charged against that county.
Douglas county, he said, paid nearly one
seventh OF the entire amount OF taxes raised
by the state each year When the cry OF
distress came up from the drOuth-Stricken
districts, Omaha and Douglas county were
always among the first to respond with as
sistance. Omaha was a part Of Nebraska,
he said, and juSt as the people OF that city
felt a juRtihable pride In their state, the
people Of the state should take pride in their
metropolis. He said the time had come
when the people of tie entire state should
drop fact!oral and sectional controversies
and work unitcdly for the common good o.
4he people, whether they lived In or out OF
Douglas county. There were loud demand9
for the question aud when the lieutenant
governor put the motion to table the resolu-
tion It was agreed to by almost a unanimous
vote. only two voices being heard in the
negative.
large number Of new bills were intro
duced and read the first time, after which
the bills introduced yesterday were again
read and referred to the standing commit
tees.
Mr. Watson of Saline sent to the secre
tary's desk concurrent resolution request
ing Nebraska's senators and representatives.
In congress to use all honorable means to
secure the passage of law providing for
the free and unlimited coinage of silver at
a ration of 16 to /, without waiting for the
aid or consent OF any nation on earth. OBJ
lection being made by Mr.. Haller of Wash
ington, consideration OF the resolution was
deferred until tomorrow. The senate then
took a recess until o'clock.
CONSIDERS THE GENERAL FILE.
After recess the senate resolved itself
into committee of the whole with Mr.. Me-
Gam of Boone in the chair, to consider bills
on general file. The first bill taken up was
senate nle No. T. by Mr. Caldwell of Muck
oils. This is the bill providing for the
gessment of real and personal property in the
state under the direction of county asses
sors, instead OF township or precinct as
SCISSORS. as under the present law. The bill
provides for the assessment to be made In
1898. and every fourth year thereafter. After
some discussion the bill was sent back TO the
committee on revenue.
The committee then took up senate file
No II. This is the bill offered by Mr. Ran
som of Douglas to reduce the number of
county commissioners in Douglas county
from FIVE to three. Mr.. Ransom explained
that the only object Of the bill was to re-
duce expenses in Douglas county. Mr.. How
ell Of Douglas also explained that the only
purpose of the bill was to cut down the
number Of office holders in Omaha and re-
duce expenses. without further debate the
committee voted unanimously to recommend
the bill for passage The committee then
rose.
Mr.. Talbot of Lancaster offered the fol-
lowing resolutions:
Resolved, That the committee on reve-
nue. be requested to prepare and have in
troduced n bill providing way to compel
counties to pay state taxes collected for
the state and held by the county officers.
After a lengthy discussion the resolution
was laid on the table and the senate ad-
Journed