Omaha daily bee., 1903-04-06
TALK OF THE STATE PRESS.

Baldwin is now entitled to a long vacation
after his arduous labors with the legisla-
ture. Though not a member Of that body
be has exerted more influence than ten men
therein.
Crete Vidette-Herald Governor Mickey
is to be commended upon the firm stand he
took against a grand Sunday iamboree for
the legislative adjournment day. We hope
that he has established a precedent which
will be followed by future legislatures.
Galloway Queen; Governor Mickey is
certainly doing a wise thing in cutting
down the appropriations made by the legis-
lature. Like President Roosevelt, our gov
ernor has a head OF his own, and we are
pleased to know that he knows how to
use IT.
Wood River Sunbeam: Tuesday is the
day the members of the legisla-
ture pack their knapsacks and start
homeward. They have made many long and
touching speeches on fusion and confusion,
money and harmony, taxes and prairie dogs
and each will leave Lincoln with a feeling
OF individual pride as he thinks Of the
mighty reforms he brought about.
Ashland Gazette: The work Of the Iegis-
lature is now about completed, and so far
1t Is such as the people can commend. The
most important measure of the session is
the revenue bill. This law will work a
great reform in our system Of collecting
revenues. The test Of experience may re-
veal imperfections that may have to be cor
rected BY subsequent legislation. Al all
events, 1t is a great improvement over the
old law.
Paplllion Times: The Nebraska legisla-
ture has passed the measure prohibiting
docking Of the tail Of the horse. Thus has
western horse sense put a quietus in Ne
braska upon the imlsators of English Gus
toms In this regard. We desire to assure
King Edward and his subjects that there
is nothing personal in this action. Being
adopts with the currycomb and brush, it
Is our pride in grooming the animal to
turn the horse out with a tail and name
that does credit to the art.
North Platte Telegram: One good effect
Of the revenue agitation Is noticed in the
reports of the meetings Of precinct as
SCISSORS now being held over the state. The
usual practice has been for these officials
to meet n under the old full valuation"
law agree to assess property at one-ffth to
o~ne-twelfth of it's cash value. The reports
this year indicate a general tendency to
an increase in the valuations of personal
property. Should there also be an increase
In the efforts to collect, the new revenue
bill will have done a good work for the
state funds before 1t really goes into effect
as a law.
Geneva Signal: The legislature has agreed
on next Tuesday noon as the official time
for adjournment, but the members do not
expect the session to actually close until
some time Thursday. Governor Mickey re-
fused to work on Sunday and he insisted on
the legislature remaining in session after
passing the big appropriation bills n
other important measures long enough to
give him time to approve or veto them so
that the legislature would have an oppor-
tunity to act again If he should veto any
measure. The leaders said the governor
was all right in this and they have agreed
to stand by him.
Springfield Monitor: The attorneys for
BARLEY and his bondsmen are trying to get
even with our legislators for the investi-
cation deal by the injunction route. The
blur consisted of asking the district court
for an injunction restraining the issuing
of warrants for salaries to members on
tie ground Of the law being defective and
that the term should be forty instead OF
sixty days and the pay SO instead Of IS per
day. When you strike at a mans pocket
like that, even If he is a legislator, 1t is q
serious matter and will not be tolerated.
TIL injunction is for the purpose Of get
ting the matter before the supreme court.
where it can be settled for all time to
come,
Bloomington Advocates: The revenue
bill has passed both branches of
the legislature and will be signed
by the governor. In many respects
1t makes radical changes from our present
system of taxation, collection, ETC., and
leaves the matter so that a much greater
am cunt of money can be raised for public
use should those who have the power to
make the levies choose so to do. 1t pro-
vides for a county assessor who will have
power to appoint a deputy in each town
ship. II is supposed to compel the assess
ment to be made on full valuation Of the
property throughout the state. The law
will not take effect and be in operation I'M
til next year.
North Loup Loyalist: The new revenue
bill has at last passed both houses, and al
this writing it seems certain to receive the
governors signature and become a law be-
fore the end of the week. 1t is not drawn
to take effect until next year, which will
give time for the officials to become famil-
lar Win lS PROVISIONS. IL Will In some
respects bring about a revolution in county
elections, as it provides for a new Official
in each county in the person Of the county
assessor, who is to work In conjunction
with the county commissioner in the ap-
pointment OF the deputy assessors, and in
the supervision OF the work. The county as
SCISSORS will in turn work under the super
vision Of the secretary OF the state board
who is expected to keep in touch with the
work in all the counties.
Fairbury Gazette: The legislature is ia
adjourn on Tuesday next. In all things ex.
cept the matter Of fair and equitable as.
sessments, and the equation OF telephone
rates, the work OF the present session has
been commendable. Corporations may fight
manipulate, conhne, delay and resort Il
other tactics to avoid fair and just assess.
ments, but in the end they must com t.
time. In saying this, we do not lose sigh
Of the fact that there is a great deal o.
property other than railway property tina
is not properly assessed, or paying its JUS
and fair proportion OF taxes. But tive
wrongs don't make one right. Both arr
wrong, unjust and unfair, and should b.
placed upon a fair and equitable assess
ment basis a condition which does not nov
exist, and the Gazette fails to see how Il
that respect the new revenue bill afford
any relief. AS a political proposition, tn
present member Of the legislature hav,
-vN NhaNH nowNv In q hnIa d. 49,. L. -