Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-11

-
Fairbury Gazetts: n legislature sesms
TO be getting right down to business.
That's good politics, and # is the best way
to insure a republican legislature two
years hence when a United States senator
IA TO be elected.
Neigh Yeoman: There seems to be a pre-
vailing sentiment in Nebraska in favor Of
a larger homestead in the Sand Hill sec
lions. But unless the right to mmut is
rescinded the change might simply make
It all the easier for the stockmen to gobble
up large tracts.
Fairbury Gazette; The proposed plan 10
divide Nebraska into two federal judicial
districts, making the dead line, as usual.
the Platte river, hangs FIRE. 1t may be in
time there will be suficient business for
two districts, but such does not seem to
be the case at present. But It looks like
the question might be decided from a po-
litical and not a business point OF view.
AS It is now, the federal court, bag and
baggage. is put on wheels and becomes a
travelling caravan twice a year to points
where there is nothing to do but open court
and adjourn.
Norfolk Press: The best way for a pub
lie official to retain his Job is by giving
nNNN eA1 ANAAt eNA ~ AA1A - HAeN
the Press asks OF any Of them, because 1t
is their duty to the public. The acts Of
a public officer are legitimate subjects OF
criticism, and because a newspaper points
out that an of1cer has done wrong IL is
not vilifying or abusing him. Yet It is
the common cry OF the wrong oficial and
his friends that he is being vilifed when
his wrongful acts are pointed out. 1t is
the duty OF every newspaper to do Just that
very thing and the Press proposes to live
up to its duty in that line. no matter whom
It may hurt. |"
Aurora Republican: What will be done
with the supreme court commission is the
question uppermost In the minds Of the at
torneys. The present arrangement is most
unsatisfactory. We have the spectacle of
one set Of commissioners handing down one
kind Of decision and another set making a
directly opposite decision on the same
questions OF law. The supreme court
stands as supporting all decisions and the
decisions from Nebraska are so mixed up
as to be of little value as presidents TO
follow. Nebraska decisions have been
none too widely accepted in other courts
and they may, under the present conditions,
lose their their value altogether. A change
is due at once.
Nelson Gazette: The state Of Nebraska
and every country comprising 1t is not so
much in need of a drastic revenue measure
for the purpose of getting more money
from the taxpayers into the public till as
1t is Of an economical disbursement of pub
lie funds. When the men elected to office
guard the state or county money as
sacredly as they do their own private
pocket books land we might say a little
p,nra uo than MANI indtvtdpaIoN than and
not until then, will we get the desired re-
lief. It's one thing to cry economy every
time a legislative body comes together
and preach the need of more revenue, but
it's an entirely different matter to so con
duct public affairs as to be on a cash basis
as we'll as one in keeping with our ability
to pay without actually becoming burden
some.
Ord Quiz: The movement among the dis
trict judges of the state to reduce the mum.
Der of judicial districts and the number Of
judges is taking definite shape, and 1t IL
probable that a bill to reapportion the dis.
tricts will soon be in the hands Of ap'
portionment committees. Lawyers agree
that there Is a gradual reduction in the
amount Of litigation, and that fewer Judges
can do the work, with a consequent saving
to the state. There is also much sentiment
in favor Of a return to the district attor-
ney system and a bill to that effect has
already been introduced. The argument IL
made that counties are unable to elect at
torneys who are capable Of coping will
the stronger members of the bar in Grim
inal cases, and that in smaller countiei
the salaries are so small as to furnish NJ
attraction to good lawyers. 1t is claimed
that district attorneys may be elected
with reasonable salaries, resulting II
stronger legal talent and better service IL
the prosecution of criminals. Many dis
trict judges favor the plan.