Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-19
NrsRAsKh.s eREhrrsr WEED

money deposited contrary 10 Jne proVl-
sions OF the constitution again empha-
sizes the imperative demand for con-
stitutional revision. without which the
financial affairs OF the state cannot be
safely conducted. The most speedy and
effective way Of applying the remedy is
through the submission OF the necessary
amendments to the constitution at the
coming election. To accomplish this
purpose a special session Of the legisla-
ture should be called at nee,
This is by no means a frivolous
scheme nor is 1t a new demand
prompted by any personal or special in
terest. The need of constitutional re-
vision was strikingly impressed from
the very time the supreme court began
to interpret the constitution in connec-
ton with the safe keeping and invest
ment Of the school funds. Eight years
ago the editor of The Bee invoked o
ernor Crounse to call a special session of
the legislature in a letter of which the
following is a copy:
OMAHA, March 6, 1eek-Hon. Lorenzo
Crounse. Executive OhHce-Dear Governor:
You doubtless remember that I have upon
several occasions sought 20 convince you
Of the necessity Of a special session Of the
Legislature. II ! remember rightly, you
agreed with me that the state finances
were badly tangled and our revenue laws
needed revision TO enable the state TO meet
its obligations. II 1 understood you oor-
rectly, your disinclination was due to fear
of the expense by reason Of an intermi-
nable session.
In my judgment the necessity for a special
session is more urgent today than It ever
has been. The recent decision Of the
supreme court relative to the school fund
would in itself AFFORD justification.
The construction placed by the supreme
court upon the constitutional provisions and
statutes bearing upon this subject clearly
points out as the only remedy a constitu-
tional amendment that would permit the
investment Of the school fund in other than
United States, state and county bonds.
You will doubtless agree with me also that
we have outgrown our present constitution
in many respects and need several i'm
portant amendments at the earliest posi-
BILE day. These amendments TO the con-
stitution could and should be submitted
through the special session of the legisla-
ture, TO be voted on this fall.
II these amendments we're punched and
submitted on a separate ticket / have no
doubt they would carry. In view Of the
fact that we are very close upon spring, a
special session Of the legislature would not
likely extend beyond the middle or last of
April, as the farmers would be obliged to
go home TO attend to their spring work.
I have refrained up to this time from
urging the special session because / did
not want to fight windmills or agitate a
proposition that would not likely ma
terialize.
VIII you please indicate by mail, or YER
bally II you expect to be here within a
few days, what your views are on the pro-
posed session and whether there is any
likelihood of its being called. I feel con-
hdent that we could get the Commercial
club Of Omaha and the bulk Of all our
business men to endorse the movement,
because we sadly need several important
amendments to our charter. which we can
not hope to get before next year in April
as there will be another United States
senator to elect and the charter will agair
be made the foot ball OF all the elements ir
the legislature.
Awaiting an early reply. I remain, very
truly yours, 2. ROSEwATER.
p. s.-From the political standpoint re.
gard an extra session as the only hope fol
republican success this fall. We mus
either plug up all the holes at the stat,
capital, straighten out our financial dim.
culties and submit all needed reforms Il
the people in the shape OF constitutions
amendments, or meet the enemy on tn,
local issues. In hat case we shall b,
beaten. because we will be on the de,
~fensive from start to finish.
Had noro-no. H.- 81,
suggestion there would have been nc
BARLEY defalcatlon, no Stuefer bonC
/, deals and no Meserve "vindication.'
|, There would have been no costly su
preme court commissions, no fee-grab
bling scandals and no loose planks al
D over the state house. True, the legis
. lature of 1895 submitted twelve amend
t ments which failed to receive the neces
: sary majority, but this failure was du,
s to the fact that they were submitted ii
an exciting presidential election year.
All the arguments Of eight years ag,
in favor of a special session to remed.
the. glazing defects In the constitution
T are more applicable today.
Eight years ago the aggregate float
e ing debt OF Nebraska was not mucI
e over $1,OO0,O0O, while today over $1,000
It 600 of state debt has accumulated
although the constitution limits tn
states debt to 100000.
Eight years ago the expenses Of
special session might have beer a ser
Gus burden, because the state was in tn
midst of it's worst period Of droutl
crop failure and financial depression
d Eight years ago there was no visible of
l. set to the expense OF an extra session
while today the abolition of the suprem
'e court commission by the enlargement G
the supreme court would alone NOR
than save the outlay.
70 True, there is no pressing demand fC
e, a revision OF the Omaha charter. bl
S, there are several important subject
that require legislative action at IL
D. earliest possible day.
Now. as eight years ago. the repul
s. lican party is in control and will just
u be held responsible for failure to civ
the people the needed relief whiC
should have been afforded years ag