Omaha daily bee., 1899-01-17
PRESS COMMENT ON LEGISLATURES.

HltIlDtIk VI the ltElSldluTt Sttlu W SUI
though the motives sctuating the two fac
lions differ. The State Board OF Transpor-
tation and its secretaries must be done
away with.
Clarks Enterprise (rep.): Let the rank
and file OF the republican party be heard
and needed in our legislative halls this
winter and they will surely be heard from
next year and in 1900, but should their
voice be disregarded this winter they will
surely assert themselves when 1t comes to
the ballot box.
Hastings Tribune (rep.): The Nebraska
legislature Is starting in with the right vim
and spirit. Unnecessary expenses are being
cut off and money is being saved to the
state in many ways. II the good work con-
tinues throughout the session the people
will have a just cause to feel proud of their
august representatives.
Stanton Pickett (rep.): The present legis-
lature Is making a grand start in the way
Of economy. Not only did 1t reduce the
number of employees fully one-third, but re-
fuses to make appointments until they are
actually needed, thus saving the state un-
necessary expense. II all its work is as we'll
and economically done the people will be
more than satisfied, they will be delighted.
Lyons Sun (rep.): Some member Of the
present legislature can do the state Of Ne
braska a good turn by introducing and
championing a measure whereby the people
OF the whole county may vote at the general
election for the supervisors. These officials
do business for the whole county, they dis
burse the money raised by taxation from all
the people and all the people ought to have
a voice in their selection.
Bradshaw Republican: The state senate
has started out in an admirable manner-a
way that will meet with the hearty approval
OF all good republicans. Now IL they will
see to 1t that the secretary, whose duty 1t is
to keep the time on the employees, faithfully
discharges that duty we apprehend that a
chaplain and a dozen or two committee clerks
will be found resigning' and going home,
where they will find more profit in looking
after law practice and other more remuner-
alive businesses.
Nelson Gazette (rep.): The republican
legislators seem to be determined to keep
down the expense Of the present session.
Only such employees as are actually needed
have been given places, and there Is already
some talk of making 1t a short and business
like session. This is tue way such bodies
usually start in, but the good beginning is
usually spoiled before the close by an ex-
travagance which more than makes up for
lost time. 1t is to be hoped the present
session will be a commendable one just as
the beginning has been.
Kearney Hui (rep.): One Of the meanest
little problems that this legislature will have
to deal with, in connection with the next
biennial appropriations, will be the de-
fciencies in the various state institutions.
for there are deficiencies in nearly all Of
l-,, r1 ro,;Ja .r;taIl, %, tJa ay,,np,D
Of the government will require a greater ex-
penditure than was made by the populist
legislature two years ago, and to add to tina,
the considerable sum necessary to plug up
the deficits will still further well the ap-
preparations. So 1t does not matter how the
business is handled, II handled at all in a
business-like manner, the appropriations for
the coming two years will appear on the
face of the situation to the disadvantage Of
the present republican. Legislature.
wahoo New Era (pop.): The Nebraska
legislature convened at IL o'clock m, Tues
day. The republicans organized both houses.
In the house the relative strength of the two
parties showed ifty-two republicans to forty.
| eight fusionists. In the senate the repub-
| licans have a larger majority. Talbot Of
' Lancaster county was elected president pro
TEN of the senate. The personnel Of the
house was a very fair looking body OF
legislators, and, considering the nearly
matched strength Of the two parties, 1t
augurs we'll for good, conservative legisla-
ton. There are at least five anti-corporation
republicans In the house that will stand by
the reform forces in preventing legislation
in favor Of corporations and trusts, where
politics are not involved. 1t of course is ye'
to be seen whether all fusionists are true
blue" friends Of the people. Every session
so far, has developed a few black sheep tina,
have crept into the reform fold.
Schuyler Sun (rep.): Some men never
appear to know when to let well enough
alone. This appears to be the case with
State Senator Talbot, who has introduced q
bill in tho legislature providing for state
uniformity and maximum charges for school
books and creating a commission to carry
out the provisions of the same. The present
law provides that the district shall buy the
books and make a contract not to exceed
Ave years, If it wishes, for books. Practically
all school men in the state say the law Is
giving general satisfaction. We know thai
text books, bought under this law, are moi
costing the districts over half Of what they
previously did. II the kind Of books, and
the price paid. are not satisfactory a district
has a perfect right to buy Of another com
pany at the expiration of Its contract, and
1t would be difficult to find a text book
which will not fill the requirements for three
or five years, even In this progressive time
The great spirit OF rivalry among the large
book publisheing firms prevents them from
putting poor text books on the market. TIT
bill OF Mr.. Talbot's creating a commission
would simply mean giving positions to tive
or three men at the expense OF the state
without any increased benefits.
Ord Quiz (rep.): Here is a suggestion tt
the legislature that might simplify matters
in the county treasurer Offices Of the state
and at the same time make it very easy
to check up his accounts and see how much
money he had collected. When the tax list
is made out by the county clerk let the bool
be provided with blank receipts opposite
each description Of real estate. These re-
ceipts should be made out along with the
list except that the date Of delivery and the
name of the party paying and the signature
OF the taxes should be left blank. Wher
taxes are paid on any piece of real estate
the treasurer will simply fill In the blanks
together with interest or other charges made
since the tax list was made, tear the re-
ceipt from the book and deliver 1t. The re-
suit will be that 1t will not require much
of an expert to see what taxes have been
paid, and there can be no mistake made by
the treasurer in marking the piece paid
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