The Columbus journal., 1903-01-28

Especial C0eFeop0nde0ce.)
Tho 6rst three weeks Of tho legislative
session, - usual has beea devoted to
preliminary work. Tho organization,
tho formation Of committees, and the
printing Of tho early bills, . usual has
hold the attention OF both houses. In
tho work % far done there IL little to
indicate tho strength or energy OF the
individual members.
Ono feature OF tho organization which
he's attracted favorable attention IL the
movement to cut OF sinecure places, and
hold down tho number OF employees to .
reasonable limit. Tho senate led in this
movement, but there u indication that
tho number Of places in the house will
be lower than ever before. In the senate
eight yean ago there were 125 employees.
There has been . gradual decrease. until
this senate 10 getting along we'll with only
So. It 10 probable that the house will
keep almost within tho same limit.
A test OF tho earnestuess OF the house
Wa seen when the 8ears resolution was
adopted BY largo majority. It provid-
cd that no bills should come up for .
third reading calling for appropriations
for public buildings until after IN ade-
quate revenue bill should be formulated
to raise sufficient money to get the state
>,,k - xa>k,k III, ,o>rl,,ts<,.> -. >,no.>I
ed % - to permit appropriations for
rebuilding or repairing buildines, which
would seem to open the way for the COM
plstion Of the penitentisry and the 10
building oe the Norfolk hospital. It is
conceded that these two institutions
have tho better chance for appropriations
in both ends Of the Legislature, without
taking tho Scans resolution into coosid-
GRAFTON. Many doubt the expediency OF
adding to tho other institutions this ses-
sion, except in cases Of great emergency.
Not the least interesting among the
propositions already up 10 the proposal
to amend tho Omaha charter % q to
permit that city to assess railroad prop
erty locally, instead Of distributing the
money among the counties along the
lines. Those who favor the measure
argue that tho valuable terminals located
in Omaha now pay only . small tax to
tho city, in proportion to other property.
Those Who oppose tho proposed amend
ment argue that to take these taxes for
local purposes would mean correspond
ing reduction in tho amount now receiv-
cd BY tho rural counties. It IL certain
that tho proposition viii provoke much
discussion before tho end OF tho session.
The Omaha delegations will come b.
fore tho legislature with several other
propositions which will increase tho stir
in tho session. Ono u to change the
date Of tho city election to later in the
year; ono to limit tho service Of any man
for mayor to two terms; and ono IL to
permit tho annexation Of South Omaha.
On these propositions there u much
division OF sentiment in Douglas county,
and several Of tho advance guard" are
alresdy On tho ground boosting for or
against these ameudmeuts.
Those Who hsve made . study OF Ne
beaska legislstures concede that the
msmbseship this session u made up Of
better material than ever before. It hes
often bsen remarked that moro than
usual caro- wa exercised in tho nomina-
tiooA and that tower Of tho proiessional
politician class Were elected than in for
mer yeara. With this good material and
theovsrwhslming republican majority in
both houses there u reason 20 expect
tho best Of results.