Omaha daily bee., 1901-02-06
TOEND THE DEADLOCK
Long Step is Taken Toward Settlement Of
the Nebraska Senatorial Problem.
REPUBLICANS IN JOINT CONFERENCE
Committee Chosen to Deliver Rules for a
Nominating Caucus
REPRESENTS NEARLY ALL CANDIDATES
Report 10 Expected Tonight aud Outlook is
for Harmonious Action.
REPRESENTS NEARLY ALL CANDIDATES
METHOD or BAlloTlNG ALONE IN DISPUTE
Renewed Activity In Fusion Camp
Indicates an Effort 10 Control the
Election OF two "HRrmIcss
Republicans"

LINCOLN. Feb. 5.-(Spccial Telcgram)--
a long step toward the settlement of the
senatorial problem was made this afternoon
when the republican members IN general
! conference appointed a committee to dc
termine and recommend rules aud coudi-
tons for n nominating caucus. The commit
tee chosen for this duty represents practic-
ally all of the candidates and is intended
to be evenly and impartally divided as to
the various terms so far proposed. But as
majority of the members OF the legisla-
ture has within the last few days shown an
inclination TO get together on common
ground, It is not at all improbable that the
deliberations OF the committee may be the
foundation for a subsequent agreement that
will be acceptable to all concerned
The conference was held in the senate
chamber Immediately after the adjourn
ment OF the two houses. Nearly all the re-
publican members were present except
those who were out of tho city, and the
proceedings we're OF an especially bar
monious nature. Speaker Sears presided
and on motion OF Senator Newell was au-
thori2ed to name the rules committee. His
selection was announced before the meet
ing adjourned. the men chosen being Sena-
tors Newell and Harlan, and Representa-
tivcs Cain, Rohwer, Gallogly, Mead and
Tweed. Several members urged the neces-
sity of immediate action In the senatorial
matter, but no direct proposals OF cond
tions were made The conference adjourned
to meet again tomorrow night, at which
time "A report is expected from the commit
tee.
Practically the only question in dispute
Is the method 10 he pursued in balloting in
the caucus The committee is about evenly
divided on this subject but " Is believed
| that a majority may agree on one proposi
tion. While IL Is not probable that a rec
owmcndation signed by less than the en-
| tire committee will be accepted tomorrow
night, It is nevertheless possible that sat
| isfactory agreement based on a majority
report, may be lreached within the next
! three or four days.
Fusionists Renew ActIyity.
There was renewed activity In the fusion
camp tonight, ald a we'll defined rumor has
gained circulation that plans are being laid
to throw several votes to republican can
didates. One man, speaking authorita-
lively, said 1t was the opinion of many
minority members that the fusonists could
! control the election of two republicans.
and that with this idea in mind they would
unite on two men that are considered as
harmless republicans" Just who these
DdTHllcbS ItpNDllNdub are no one mas ais
closed and the fusion leaders refuse to
discuss their identity. The plan is gener-
ally looked upon as a trick to injure GER
tain candidates, but there is little belief
that 1t will meet with any success, what
ever may be the actual move.
New Apportionment BiIi.
Representative Cain Of Richardson county
introduced new apportionment bill today.
thirteen representatives and places It in
q float senatorial district with Otoe Cass
and Sarpy counties.
Governor Dietrich today affixed his sigma
ture to house roll SS, introduced by Lane
of Lancaster and as the bill contains an
emergency clause It Immediately became a
law. The act provides for the retention OF
the present method of drawing jurors for
courts in Lancaster county.
Chaplain Presson opened the morning ses-
sion of the house today with prayer that
was criticized as remarkable for the senti-
ments expressed. lie thanked the Almighty
Power because the peoples representatives
were able to spend their short vacations at
home going and returning with so little ex-
pense to themselves.
He also hoped that the Lord would "help
all TO render unto Caesar the things which
rightfully belonged to Caesar" His refer
encos were taken as a hit at the passes
many OF the members are supposed to have
been using,
Governing Purchase OF Supplies.
House roll 200. introduced by Repre-
sentative Mccarthy OF Dixon county, au-
thorizes the State Board OF Purchase and
Supplies to buy supplies for state institu-
tions in quantities large enough to last one
year, law containing similar provisions
has been in effect In Iowa for several years
and has resulted in the saving of many
thousand dollars. Since the bill was intro
duced in the house some OF the fusion MEM
bers have questioned the motive OF the in
troducer and even charged that the measure
was introduced for the purpose OF en-
abling the state board "to enter into Jobs
with merhcants." The bill Is endorsed by
the state board and recommended for pass
age by Governor Dietrich. 1t is contendeI
by the supporters Of the measure that It
will greatly reduce the amount paid an
nually for supplies. Under the existing
| law supplies must be purchased separately
| for each institution. According to the
| terms OF the proposed measure the board
| could purchase direct from the manu-
| facturer In wholesale lots and at whole
sale prices, as the bill authorizes all sup
plies OF a kind, for all institutions, to be
purchased in one quantity.
"The object Of the bill is 10 reduce ex-
! penses and make a saving TO the taxpayers,
| said Governor Dietrich today. "Our sister
state, Iowa, has adopted such a system
and large saving has resulted. In Iowa
| the state institutions are under a board OF
| control and the system has materially
lessened the expenses OF maintenance. b.
purchasing in bulk Iowa buys much
! cheaper. gets better article and Is On
| abled to better care for the unfortunate
inmates, and all that, too for much less
money than under the separate contract
system. n Is the opinion OF the members
OF the State Board OF Public Lands and
Buildings that a law Of this kind will ui-
! timately result in a large saving to the
people Of Nebraska. Take, for example,
the matter Of coal. Last summer hard
coal was Ss per ton, today II Is $3.50 The
| same might be said Of soft coal The state