Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-03-04
open THE CIGAR BOX
That is the Mandate Of Resolution Intro
duoed in the House by Knox,
BARTtEY AND HIS FRIENDS TO FIGHT
Former State Treasurer Meserve May Also
Have an Investigation.
FATE OF THE RESOLUTION UNCERTAIN
Railroads Win a Signal Victory on
Terminal Taxation,
ATE OF THE RESOLUTION UNCERTAIN
H. R, 800 INDEFINITELY POSTPONED
Representative of Counties which
would Have Been Direct Hence
ncinrics Vote Against
Measure.
lrrom a staff Correspondentl ID

From a STAFF Correspondent)
LINCOLN, Neb March 3.--tSpecial)--
relieve the official bondsmen of Joseph S.
BARLEY, and,
there is or has been In existence much
mooted cigar box containing Information
as to why it has become necessary for his
official bondsmen to ask for legislative re-
lief, therefore, be 1t
Resolved, by this house, That It be re-
quired that the aforesaid cigar box, to-
fore this body for official investigation,
and that this house appoint a committee
of five members OF this body to prosecute
this Investigation and be empowered to
call for all papers and compel the appear
ance of all persons required to carry this
Investigation to its successful termina-
tion; and be IL further
Resolved, That this committee be also
empowered To investigate the official con-
duct OF eN-State Treasurer John NJ. Me-
serve regarding his alleged acceptance and
retention of interest collected apon money
belonging TO the state which, II Is alleged,
he had loaned and deposited in certain
banks In this state.
In spite Of all the influences brought to
bear by Bartley benefciaries and others
to prevent any move by this legislature
looking to an investigation OF the BARLEY
cigar box scandal, this resolution was intro
duced in the house today, as was pre-
dicted in The Bee this morning. Knox OF
Buffalo county is its author. Mr.. Knox
says he has introduced the resolution only
after a careful study of all the clrcum-
stances surrounding this complicated and
mysterious affair and as the result Of due
consultation with friends. He declares that
he is prepared to push It vigorously, con-
tending that it embodies a most urgent de-
mand of the people OF Nebraska. Mr.. Knox
admit that he has been importuned by
various individuals to drop the resolution.
One element has sought to stall of the
hu 20 En
would be sn unwise step from a republican
standpoint. Mr.. Knox being a republican.
but all such appeals, entreaties and advice
have fallen upon deaf ears.
s, sentiment Is Growing.
That there is live and enthusiastic
sentiment in the legislature for a thorough
,ipYesti cation Of this entire scandal and
mystery cannot be denied. II was apparent
at the outset OF the session; Il has become
evident since the recent declamations Of
BARLEY in his interview with a correspond
ent Of The Bee, in which he denantly told
the people OF Nebraska It is none of their
business what he has done with the $780,
900 OF state money embezzled Then, too
the introduction in the senate By Hall OF
Douglas county of resolution to release
the BARLEY bondsmen from their official
obligation to the state, stimulated this de-
sire for an honest investigation. This is
apparent from the first clause OF the above
resolution. The members who want to see
this affair cleared up have taken the DO
sition that II the legislature is to 60 about
| freeing these men from their obligation to
Nebraska 1t should free Nebraska, II pos
sible, from the burden that rests upon Il
by partial reason of the veil which is held
tightly around this cigar box said TO con-
tain so many valuable I. o. US.
As was indicated in The Bee this morn
ing and set forth in the resolution. the
plan of investigation contemplates an in
quiry into the official conduct Of ex-State
Treasurer Meserve, the populist official who
succeeded BARLEY and whose name has
been connected somewhat with matters in
cidental 70 this mystery. Also. as was
| forecasted by The Bee. steps will be taken
II the resolution is passed to have Gov
ernor Savage and any others who may be
able to throw light upon this question tes-
tify before the committee.
BartIey's Friends Active.
What the facts of the resolution will be
cannot be predicted. II has been referred
to the judicial committee Of tho house.
| composed Of Nelson, Morsman. Ten Eyck
and Kennedy Of Douglas, Loomis Of Dodee
Sweezy Of Adams. Douglas OF Rock Thomp-
son of Merrick, Spurlock OF Cass and Perry
| of Furnas. These men are all leaders In
the house. They are all republicans, save
two Loomis and Kennedy. It is not pos
! sible to obtain an expression from the COM
mitteo at this time. however. One Of the
members pointed out this afternoon that
there was a lack OF harmony in the com
mittee.
That every possible effort will be made
by the BARLEY people and those who for
obvious reasons do not want to see any
additional light shed upon this affair TO
obstruct the investigation. is a foregone
conclusion. Since the opening OF the ses-
sion this element has been represented In
| the legislature by official lobbyists to see
that this thing was not stirred up. This
lobby is still at work. One OF the engi-
neers OF this movement had the temerity to
say yesterday in the course OF his work
| among a little group in one Of the anti
rooms OF the house;
They talk so much about the money that
Joe BARLEY and his bondsmen owe the
state! Why, do you know It's a fact that
BARLEY has actually paid back 10 the state
over 5000 900? And II they had given him
chance when he was out on parole he would
have paid back more He asked for fur
ther time, but It was refused him"
Railroads Evade Taxation.
The house this morning by a vote OF
| hfty-three to thirty-eight voted to in
| definitely postpone H. r. $780, The bill tax
ing railroad terminals for municipal pur-
poses The vote came on the reports OF the
committee on cities and towns. The major
/ fly OF that committee, Roberts OF Dodge
| Ferrar Of Hall. Cropsey Of Jefferson. Nc
/ Clay Of Lancaster and Cassell OF Otoe, all
! representing cities having railroad termi-
4
| in this measure, voted to indefinitely post
| pone The bill. while the minority, Gilbert
and Nelson OF Douglas, sweezy OF Adams
and Beeher Of Platte, also containing cities
having railroad terminals and fayoring the
passage OF the bill voted 10 recommend the
bill for passage. The former report was
| sustained