Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-15
READY FOR THE CONVENTION
Bone Of the Republican Candidates Reach
Lincoln and Open H~sadquarteuL
LANCASTER FUsIoNlsTs D~EMoRALIzEO
Governor savage Expresses His Views
on the Question of Railroad Tax-
alton and f. Glad the Manda-
mus was Brought.
rrom a star correspondent.l

CFrom a stan Correspondent.)
LINCOLN. June 1L-(specisl.l-The hrst
immediate signs OF the approach Of the re-
publican state convention we're visible at
the hotels today. Some Of the candidates
have arrived and prepared to open headquar-
tiers Monday and others are expected to-
morrow. Chairman Lindsay has been at
the committee headquarters making the
necessary arrangements for the meeting.
II look for a big convention. in fact, an
unusually big one" said Mr.. Lindsay.
There are 1854 delegates and / have re-
eeived assurances that nearly all Of them
will be here"
The committee has arranged to give each
delegation one-half as many spectators
tickets as there are members OF the delega-
tion. These tickets have already been APP
portioned and are at the state headquar-
tiers, where they will be given out when
demand is made for them.
FusIonIsts DemornIiEed.
, The Generalization Of the fusionists Of
lancaster county was painfully apparent
this afternoon, when a few Of the faithful
Sct together in the Auditorium to nominate
candidates for county oflces and for the
legislature. They elected delegates to the
state conventions. adopted a few resolutions
and discussed a few miscellaneous matters,
but nominated DO candidates.
The democrats met in one side OF the hall
and the populists in the other. Each little
gathering was presided over by a chair
man" and a permanent organization in
miniature was effected.
In the populist crowd a resolution was
introduced by A. E. Sheldon. declaring
against a continuance Of the fusion arrange
ment, but was speedily tabled. The dele
cation named by the populists is unin-
structed.
The democrats authorized General Victor
vifquain to name the party delegation to
represent the county at the state conven-
ton. General vifquain is an avowed can
didate for governor and the action of the
county convention means that he will have
the entire Lancaster county vote pledged
20 his support.
A little interest was injected into the
proceedings by J. A. McNerney, who pro-
duced a resolution directing attention to
the fact that the presiding ofheer Of the
United States senate. by directing Senator
Dietrich to sit down prevented the senator
from standing up for Nebraska"
Resolutions were carried in both conven-
tions to meet again on September IL, when.
1t is understood. another effort will be
made to nominate a set OF candidates.
Governor Renews Objection.
Governor Savage has renewed his objec-
tions to the prison labor contract recently
made with the Lee Broom and Buster COM
pRny by the State Board Of Public Lands
and Buildings and has informed a member
OF the board that II the agreement is not
withdrawn the warden will be instructed to
discontinue the service.
The governor and Secretary Marsh dis
eussed the case this morning and the for
mer asserted vehemently that he was not
satisfied to let the matter rest. He said
same thing, however, two weeks ago,
but nevertheless no steps have been taken
to either withdraw the contract or SUBJ
ject it to a legal test.
The Board OF Public Lands and Buildings
will probably allow the governor to take
the initiative. With the exception of the
governor all Of the members voted for ana
signed the contract and thus far have
shown no disposition to have IL annuled.
Savage on Railroad Assessment.
Governor Savage this afternoon gave out
q prepared interview in which he dis
cusses and defends his position on the rail-
road assessment matter. Among other
things he says:
ITO be frank about II I was much better
satisfied with the original answer Of the
Board OF Equalization in the Rosewater
mandamus case than with the amended
one. My position on railroad taxation is
pretty well known to the people Of Ne
braska. ! believe that every interest in
the state should pay its just proportion Of
the taxes and the more / study the ques-
ton, and / have studied it many long.
weary hours. the more l am satisfied that
some Of the railroads OF Nebraska are not
and have not since 1898 been paying their
full share OF the taxes.
Il did not agree with the assessment this
year. l commended that IL the railroads
were paying their just proportion OF taxes
IN 1890. which was about one-slxth Of the
total for the state. and have reason to
believe that they were then satisfied. al
lowing this to be true and that all other
property Of the state has increased in pro-
portion to the railroads and the fact that
the total assessment has been decreased