The Columbus journal., 1903-02-11

A. oatlinsd in the lsttse of last wesk,
ths legislature took . vssy shoet time in
showing it, disapprov.l oe the land lsss-
ing bin now before eoogSsA The Ne
bcasas legislatou vsse vsEy little inn
pressed BY the fact that tho bin vas
advocated BY coogrsssmen and United
States senators. They hit it quick and
hasd At The sane time thsee was .
esoseal sentiment expressed in favor oe
allowing larger srsas Of homsstseds in
~ sango country, 70 allow The small
cattle ovnses . bsttsr chance.
The greatest interest Of The pest week
~ oeutsced around revenue matters,
and it was pretty veil agreed that the
special revenue COMMITTEES should b
given . vesk to digest and prepare .
revenue bill It was conceded that this
would b tho only feasible way to got .
revision Of tho Law. Those Who were
opposed to revision were also opposed to
sdiournmeut for tho Week. To their
number vas added some who had made
personal arrangements for the week
which thsy did not like to change. For
time il looked . il tho senate would
not concur in tho adjournment, but
finally IN agrssmsot was reached. This
savs tho revenue committees time to
work without having to pay attention to
other matters. It also gives the other
committees time to whit the public build
ings Of tho state.
Tho revenue committees had general
discussion over the basis for now bill.
and 1t last, % Q matter OF state pride.
decided to take tho Nebraslks Law - .
basis, with tho tacit understanding that
tho Kansas bin would be drawn upon for
vhatever good features it contained.
All bslisve that tho first important thing
u to got all property listed on tho asses-
sors books at it, fair value, and that tho
next important thing i to provide better
methods for tho collection OF the taxes.
In both these features experience has
proven that tho Nebrasks law needs
mending in order to produce tho requis-
ito revenues to run the business OF
tho state.
Tho movement among the district
judges Of tho state to reduce the number
Of judicial districts and the number OF
judges u taking definite shape, and it u
probable that . bill to reappostion the
districts will soon be in the hands OF the
spportiooment committees. Lawyers
agree that there u . gradual reduction
in tho amount Of litigation, and that
fewer judges can do the work, With .
consequent saving to tho state. There
| u also much seutiment in favor Of Q
return to tho district attorney system,
and . bill to that effect has already been
introduced. The argument 10 made that
counties arc unable to elect attorneys
Who arc capable OF coping with the
stronger members OF tho bar in criminal
cases, and that in smaller counties the
salaries arc % small % to furnish nc
attraction to good lawyers. It's claimed
that district attorneys may be elected
with reasonable salaries, resulting ID
stronger legal talent and better servicl
in tho prosecution OF criminals. Many
district judges favor the plan.
The Legislature hes forty days in which
to introduce bills, and Of these, twent,
days have already gone. It u expectet
that during the first week after thi
recess most OF tho important measure
will have bsen introduced, including tn
appropriation bills which come shortl!
after tho visits to the state institutions