Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-24
Isl sis.ss4.

brought into evidence and said that Il was
his understanding Stuefer would take It for
granted that the committee meant to in
clude these when II called for the certih-
Gates OF deposit.
The committee did not bring out any
thing about the exact amount of money
Stuefer had deposited in the West Point
National bank, OF which he was president
at the time OF this bond deal. That will
be one Of the points at issue at future
hearings.
A number Of Burt county citizens were
down today and will remain to testify be-
fore this committee. Some OF the COM
mltteemen have expressed themselves as
determined to, have no "whitewsshed" effair,
Of this investigation. It seems to be their
blame may rest where It belongs, and no
appropriations shall be made by the legisla-
ture that are not warranted.
Protest on Gilbert Bill.
Former Deputy County Attorney Lysle
Abbott was in Lincoln today on legal bust
ness, and incidentally called upon Gov
ernor Mickey to protest against H.. R. 236.
the Gilbert primary election bill, which has
passed both houses and is now in the hands
of the governor. Mr.. Abbott said the bill
was a dangerous instrument and should
never become a law. at strikes at the
secrecy Of the ballot" he said, a will
prevent that independent part of a party
which holds the party In line to nominate
good men. from participating in the prl-
mary. The next step Will be to compel a
voter TO swear who he has voted for at the
last election Any law that tends to do
away with the secrecy Of the ballot is a
bad law" This afternoon President Pro
Tenn Harrison Of the senate signed the
bill.
shut Out Taxpayers.
The standing committee on revenue in
the senate met In secret session tonight and
arbitrarily refused to allow Tax Commits
sloner Fleming and others to appear before
II and make certain arguments. Senator
Brown, chairman OF the committee, said
no decisive action was taken on the bill,
Mr.. Fleming desired. to suggest the wis
dom Of fixing November l as the time for
placing the revenue bill IN effect instead
of September 1, as is provided, II It passes.
He makes his assessment September Is,
and II the bill should take effect on the
FIRST he would be unable to ascertain what
the state board assessment would be, the
result working a serious hardship. Mr..
Fleming was advised by Senator Hall In
Omaha today to come to Lincoln and ap-
pear before the committee tonight, but no
found the committees doors closed to him
and was informed that neither he nor any
other person, save a senator, could here
after appear before this committee.
This arbitrary action confirms the belief
that the powers that be-, have deter
mined to railroad the revenue bill through
the senate without further change. The
committee holds another star session to-
morrow to act on the bill.
Fight of Corporations.
The railroad lobbyists. who are credited
with having had the whip hand in this
revenue AFFAIR from the start, are deter
mined not to allow the insurance and
street railway lobbyists to reopen the tight
in the upper house. A railroad lobbyist
said tonight;
1--WE have EN- einched; they can't pos
sibly buck our line"
But a desperate effort will be made to
buck Il nevertheless. A representative OF
the Omaha Street railway tonight said in
answer to an inquiry, that he thought his
company would attempt TO have the revenue
bill amended In the senate so as to place
Il, with telegraph, telephone and express
companies, under section rs, which pro-
vides a tax on tangible property and gros:
earnings as franchises. Asked II the com.
pany would bring suit to test the constitu'
t~ionality OF the revenue bill II its attempt
to amend failed In the senate, as 1t did II
the house. this gentleman said;
IT am not authorized TO speak. but
would not be at all surprised. Our opinion
is that the bill will be Unconstitutional Z
It passes with this discriminating provision
taxing some franchised corporations OF
their capital stock and others on thei
gross earnings t.
Opinion seems to be that the railroad