Omaha daily bee., 1901-03-22
SENATE FAvoRs SETTLEMENT
Recommends N Bill Providing for
Compromise of Suits Against
BOndsmcn and others.

LINCOLN, March 21.--(Special )-Senator
McCargar's bill. authorizing the settlement,
compromise or dismissal of suits now pend
ing for moneys due the state upon official
bonds and from depository banks and their
bondsmen, which is admitted to be for the
purpose OF compromising with the BARLEY
bondsmen and the Omaha National bank,
was the bone of contention in the senate
this afternoon some passionate speeches
being made on both sides OF the measure.
The bill vests the power of settling with
these bondsmen In the attorney general,
state treasurer and auditor OF public ac-
counts, giving them power to use their
own discretion. the only proviso embodied
in the bill being that the defendants pay
the costs which have accrued.
Senator O'Neill was in favor of the bill.
1t would not only result In good in this
case, but it would be a good permanent
law. 1T has been found that the law is
a good one for counties" said the Lam
caster senator, "and l believe it would be
good law for the state. The state Of
fcers in whom the power of settlement
is vested have the interests Of the state
at heart, and would certainly settle to the
very best advantage possible. These cases
may continue pending for years, with in
thing of ever getting anything back. The
bondsmen are dying off and as the years
go by are becoming insolvent, lessening
the states chances of recovering day by
day. 1t costs thousands of dollars to keep
these cases in the supreme court, q con-
dition which could be met by the passage
OF this bill. The state should have the
same opportunity to compromise or settle
Its accounts that private individual has.
1t is simply good business, and / firmly
believe would be the means OF settling up
these cases which will never be settled
otherwise. / think the bill is a good one
and shall vote for Its passage"
Young Opposes the BiII.
Senator Young made speech in favor
OF the postponement OF the bill. This Is
vicious legislation" said Senator Young
'and shall oppose it II I have to do so
alone, for believe II Is wrong in principle
and ! am not afraid to stand by my con-
victions. This bill gives three men the
power to strike out an Indebtedness OF over
$500, 900 by a single stroke OF the pen
Primarily thes bill Is for the relief OF the
BARLEY bondsiuen and the Omaha National
bank, and disguise 1t as you may, you can
not claim 1t is for any other purpose. Does
the demand for this bill come from the
people of Nebraska, or does II come from
the Bartley hendsmen and the Omaha Ma
tional bank? Why, the paSsage OF this bill
would be the political graveyard Of the
men in whom the power OF settlement is
vested, have all the confidence in these
officials. but these cases may not be set
| tied for two or four years and we have
no assurance who the men will be who
might settle these accounts. It leaves to
Them the settlement of a vast amount of
money. and no matter how well they may
settle, they will be subjected to criticism
and charges no matter how unjust these
charges might be. l want to predict here
now that IL this bill passes, the state OF
Nebraska will never get cent out OF these
| bondsmen."
Ransom Defends the bill.
Senator Ransom spoke in favor of the bill
| although he took occasion to deny that the
! Omaha National bank bondsmen for whom
the Douglas senator is attorney, had any
/ interest in the passage of the bill "The
defendants in these cases are dying off and
the chances of settling through the courts
are growing less every year" said the
speaker. Something should be done before
| II is too late. We have spent years and
| thousands OF dollars in trying 10 collect
! these amounts and all without avail The
gentleman from stanton says these claims
are good and that we should reduce then,