Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-27
Bills on First Reading.
HOUSE HAS LIVELY SESSION
Printing and House Employees Fur
nish Topics for De-
bate.


LINCOLN, Jan. 2~6.-(Special. THE
house, after a recess since Saturday noon,
convened az 2 p. m. today the beginning
of the fourth week of the twenty-eighth
session. 1t Immediately took up Governor
Mickey's message on the Dietrich land
leasing bill as the special order.
After the reading Of the governors mes
sage the resolution submitted Saturday by
McAllister Of Deuel. was read and a num-
Der OF resolutions on the subject intro
duced. But on motion of Sweezy OF Ad-
ans, consideration of the entire subject
was deferred until 10 a. II. Tuesday, be-
cause Of the absence Of so many mem
bers.
A resolution by Jones Of otoe provided
that the house fatty reject the request Of
Nebraksa's congressional delegation that
the legislature petition congress for tho
passage Of the Dietrich bill, and that in
stead the house recommended the defeat
of the bill. The McAllister resolution, for
which this one was offered as a substi-
tute, favored action in line with the rec
concentrations of President Roosevelt and
Governor Mickey.
Junkin OF Gosper offered a resolution
condemning the practice Of fencing graz
ing lands as wrong and calling upon con-
gress for their immediate removal.
Heron OF Antelope introduced a resolu>
tion favortng the holding OF public land
for the purpose contemplated in the home>
stead law, and providing for an increase to
two sections to each homesteader Of arid
and semi-arid lands.
Shelly Of Douglas was the author of a
resolution providing for the recommenda-
tion by this legislature Of the adoption OF
President Roosevelt's plan that a commits
sion OF experts be appointed to investi-
gate the condition Of leasing and fencing
! grazing lands and submit it's report to
I congress.
Ten Eyek OF Douglas at this time an.
bounced that Kennedy Of Douglas was pres
ent for the first time this session, having
been detained by Illness and moved tina,
he be sworn In. The speaker named Ter
Eyck, Sears OF Burt and Good of Nemahs
to wait on a Justice of the supreme courr
to administer the oath, but all the Justices
being out OF the city this function wa
performed by Speaker Mockett.
Printing Matter Up.
The committee on public printing her,
reported, in compliance with previous in
structions OF the house, that the contrac
for printing house documents was let b.
Auditor Weston, Treasurer Stueffer an
Secretary OF State Marsh, as the Stat
Printing Board, to The State Journal com
pany at 1874 a page for 500 copies, as com
pared wit Sis last term, providing 70
the return OF bills in their order an.
within three days after their delivery an
a penalty Of S25 for each breach Of con
tract.
At this j~uncture a general discussion
arose over the house printing contract
which resulted in the adoption of a resolu
tion by Sears OF Burt that the house judi
ciary committees be Instructed to sxamin
the contract let by the State Printin.
Board to the State Journal company an
report as to its legality and binding effect
This discussion came up when Good o
NemRha submitted a resolution that al
officers and employees Of the house be mad
amenable to the chief clerk, which resolu
ton vas sought TO be amended by Greg
OF Wayne. giving the chief clerk power I
discharge any incompetent employees o
oficer. Both members explained that tn
object of their motions was to correct Ger
tain inaccuracies In the printing of bill
and house journals.
Wilson of Pawnee thought this would b
eneroaching on the speakers prerogatiy'
and finally both amendment and resolutfo
were tabled, having, however, induce
steps to accomplish the desired result.
During the period Of discussion speake
Moekett stated that he had appointed sew
eral employees. unknown personally 10 hin
on the earnest recommendation of friends
and that II he became satisfied OF the in
competency Of any emplOye and had tn
power he would discharge him. II wa