Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-08

with some Of the legislators, for there are
some republicans who are so narrow po-
litically that anything hat looks good to
q city that voted against even one Of the
republican candidates IL q bad, bad meas
ure. Even the fact that the republicans
are in such a majority in both houses and
the fact that good legislation or bad leg
islation will be laid at the door OF the re-
publican party will not, Il is not a bad
prediction. Offset the railroad argument.
The railroad lobby has not only been
busy In Lincoln during the week, but
from the reports being brought in it has
done much work out In the state dissem-
mating stories Of reduction OF tax collec-
tion should the railroads have to pay city
taxes. The fear Of . reduction In tax coll
lection is a mighty club and II has been
welded morning noon and night, and
though the facts against the railroads are
conclusive, they have not been driven home
with the same vigor and the same smooth
ness that has characterized the work Of
the lobby.
stock Yards Men Frightened.
From the stock yards Of South Omaha
comes a mighty wall. II Is a fear that the
legislature will reduce the charges made
BY the company. The fear came about
this way. Some time ago William Paxton
was in Lincoln seeing what he could see
and hearing What he could hear. and SEN
! ator Umstead incidentally remarked that
be- ntend to introduce a bill to cut down
the stock yard rate. Yesterday Mr.. Um-
stead was at the stock yards on private
business. Members OF the company
learned Of his presence and in o short
time the senator was the most sought after
man In that neck OF the woods. Since Mr..
Umsteed's return to Lincoln. however.
the remark made by him to Mr.. Paxton
may become a reality. II had forgotten
IT," said Senator Umstead." but since l
have been there and saw how much in
terestsd and how badly frightened the men
we're. / am Of the opinion now that q bill
Of that kind would be the proper thing for
the legislature TO pass. The company's
charges ere entirely too high and It Is
probable that ] will Introduce arch q BILL
Fighf Tor Roms RuIe
The passage Of the Gilbert bill to compel
the city Of Omaha to purchase the water
workr Of that city and taking away from
the city the control OF the plant by au-
thorizing the governor to appoint a board
70 look after It. and spend the money paid
into the treasury by the taxpayers OF
the city, recalls that Omaha citizens have
had TO fight many battles with various leg
islatures In order to keep the state from
taking from II every vestige Of home rule.
The records In the once Of the sec
Rotary Of state show hat away back in
1867 the people of Omaha were nghting
the principles OF just such a law that has
been passed. In these records Is q petition
signed by 205 citizens OF Omaha protest.
ing against the legislature passing an act
70 authorize the governor to appoint a
commission to spend the money Of the
city for grading the streets and alleys Of
the town. The petition is yellow with age.
but 10 still speaks out plain for home
rule. 1t is as follows:
The undersigned citizens OF the city OF
Omaha, learning through the newspapers
OF this city that there Is now pending be-
fore YOU honorable body a bill for an act
appointing certain persons to establish for
the city OF Omaha a grade for its streets
and alleys, most humbly but strongly re-
mongtrate against its passage, believing ae
we do that the city council Is the proper