Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-21

Hsthorn, Hunter, Junkin, Loomls, Nc
Allister, Vlasak-s.
Before taking up the revenue bill tho
house concluded actiUn on the general sal
aries appropriations bill and recomrnended
It for passage, Increasing the committees
appropriations by about $3.50 o 1t also
passed the Ramsey elevator bill
Settle on Salaries.
The house has concluded considera-
tion of the salaries appropriation bill and
recommended II for passage. During its
consideration Sweezy of Adams made an
effort to abolish the Department Of Labor
by making a motion to knock out all the
appropriations for that department. The
motion was voted dow unanimously,
sweezy himself failing to vote for 1t.
This motion brought forth a round of
criticism Of the member from Adams and
strong defenses for the Department of La
Dor. Among those who spoke were Spur
lock, Ten Eyck, McC1ay and Wilson.
Sweezy quoted from the last message Of
Governor Savage in saying this department
was useless. Wilson of Pawnee called to
his attention the fact that Savage also
advocated the abolition Of the state au-
ditor's office and asked IL anyone thought
for q moment that ONCE should be abol-
Ished.
The lone reduction of the finance, ways
and means committees appropriations
which was made by the committee of the
whole was In cutting the salary Of the
superintendent Of the Girls Industrial home
at Geneva from $500 to 81, 200. This was
done at the earnest recommendation Of the
committee on public lands and buildings.
The two family managers at this home
MARA Oivon eQ00 a WAR aanh instead nf
$500. The engineer at the Milford \home
was raised from $500 to $500 and tho farm
manager at the Grand Island Soldiers home
from $500 to $3.50. An amendment was
added making appropriations for the sew
eral officers to conduct the Hospital for
Insane at Norfolk, which was burned, ag-
Rregating $500. The senate committee
recommended an appropriation Of $4,000
to rebuild 1t. The salaries of the two
accountants in the state auditors Office for
county treasurers we're raised from 81, 200
I -&1.500. Had Sweezy's amendment to cut
out the appropriations for the labor COM
missioner's department carried it would
have meant a reduction of but 1890 in all.
SnReezy was unsuccessful in an attempt
10 have the numbered supreme court COM
mlssioners fixed at six for the two years
instead Of nihe. This proposition called
forth a spirited debate.
Compliments COmmIttee.
The action Of the house on the general
salary appropriations bill is a distinct
compliment 10 the conservatism Of the
finance, why's and means committee.
The bill Is along one, containing a great
many items. The house in committee of
the whole made numerous changes in the
measure, but In only one instance did 1t
reduce the appropriation made by the COM
mittee that drafted the bill, and this re-
duction is said to have been the result of
some personal feelings. All the other
amendments were TO increase the figures
placed in the bill by the finance. ways and
means committee.
The! framing of a bill of this character,
taking In every state Official including
those in the state house, beginning with the
governor, and those in all the various state
institutions, IL a task of large proportions,
and the committeeman are generally com
mended for the splendid manner in which
they addressed themselves to this onerous
duty. Their work began practically with
the beginning Of the session. early in Jan
uary, and was not heompieted until a very
short time age. They have been besieged
by representatives and friends Of various
persons and institutions andS Importuned
with every conceivable argument for large
appropriations and they feel that they
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