Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-21
Other Msmb rs Are Not Counted as Being
Inimical to the Idea
THE OMAHA ELECTION BILL
House Passes Measure to Postpone Contest
Until Month of May.
WATER WORKS MEASURE THROUGH SENATE
Nelson of Douglas Explains His Bills
Regarding Deeds and Negotiable
Instruments Aimed at Sim
pIifyinE system.
CFrom a stan correspondent0

CF'rom a Stan Correspondent)
LINCOLN, Jan. 20.-(Special) lone more
step nearer the goal of revenue revision
was taken today by the Nebraska legisla-
ture. Nothing remains to be done but
enter upon the work OF framing the meas
ure that is destined to furnish Nebraska
with panacea, It is hoped, for the COM
plicated ills OF its present revenue laws.
Consummation of the plan to effect radical
yet wise and necessary changes in these
statutes now seems inevitable. Those
powers and influences that have combined
to block this projected scheme OF legisla-
tion, IL they succeed in their sinister de-
signs. must rally from the decided set
back which they appear 10 have sustained
and acquit themselves with greater diplo-
macy than has yet been dispfayed.
or great interest and Importance is
the personnel of the committee appointed
today by Speaker Mockett to represent the
house in drafting a revenue bill. II consists
of these members: Douglas OF Rock. War
ner Of Lancaster, Sears of Burt Thomp-
son Of Merrck, Sweezy OF Adams, Wilson
of Pawnee and Loomis of Dodge.
The general verdict is that this is as
fair selection as could be made. can
vass of the committee with reference to
NhS lueullly Oh lne memDerS may anOrd
some interest Sears former speaker
Thompson and Sweezy we're candidates for
speaker against the present incumbent
Sears, Thompson and Douglas are anti
organization men and Loomis, who is the
fusionist leader in the house. may also
I've thus classed; while Warner. chairman Of
the committee on revenue and taxation
Sweezy and Wilson are organization men,
that is, they are now allied with the fac
tion which elected Speaker Mockett and Sc
cured the rest OF the house organization.
So 1t is evident that the antis have the
better of the bargain.
To put the matter in a different form It
may be said that the exponents of revenue
revision have gained a victory. This Is
generally recognized in the house and SEN
ate. And as the general sentiment there
is favorable to revision the majority at
least is satisfied. Some comment was in
dulged in over the fart that Rouse Of HALL,
the most experienced leader OF the house
was not named as one OF the committee
men. Rouse also is an ardent exponent OF
revision.
Senate IL Ready.
The senate has taken less direct action
in this matter than the house, but is pre-
pared to cooperate with the lower body
The resolution of Harrison OF Hall that the
senate committee on revenue and taxation
hold itself in readiness to act with a Joint
committee from the house to draw up rev.
enue bill, reporting not later than February
g. was adopted it is true, but no special
time was fixed beyond that. 1t is presumed
however that this committee will be ready.
should the house committee call upon II, az
any time. As the time allowed by the house
resolution is none too long for this work 1t
is the earnest desire OF the house mem
bers that they get down to business with
out further delay.
Another phase OF the senates action in
this respect was the adoption OF a resolu-
tion today by Howell Of Douglas that tho
supreme court be invited to delegate one
or more OF its members to act in an ad-
visory manner with the joint house and
senate committee in the formulation OF the
revenue bill. This matter was not brought
UP in the house, but it is understood to be
not Objectionable to the lower branch.
Time 90 Get Busy.
Former Speaker Sears OF the revenue re-
vision committee, from the house, said to-
dav in discussing the matter:
81 think we ought to get down to work
ION this matter right away. There is a
great deal of important work to be done
before we can hope TO present a bill that
will adequately meet the existing needs OF
this state And yet l am inclined TO be-
Iieve that IL we improve our time the htteen
days allotted us will be ample within which
TO properly complete our work. There is
no reason now why we should not pro-
ceed with business, so far as / can see."
A number OF members in the house and
senate have commended the action OF
C,aaLor in aaIactfau oF thta
committee. While IL left to the ultra-re-
visionsts two or three changes might have
been made, It is generally conceded that in
order to give all interests a fair hearing
and representation, preserve harmony and
insure the greatest ultimate satisfaction II
was best to choose from the various fac
tions, as the speaker did.
The house today passed the bill Of Gilbert
OF Douglas county changing the date OF
Omaha's city election from the first Tues
day in March to the first Tuesday in May.
: Morsman Of Douglas became the champion
OF the bill on the floor. He delivered him
self Of one earnest statement that doubt
less will cause a good deal of surprise N
Omaha. He said:
There is no opposition to this bill. The
1 Douglas delegation, after carefully investi-
! eating, found that It met the approval OF
! all political parties in Omaha"
/ This measure was passed unanimously
under a suspension OF the rules, which Mr..
/ Morsman urged was necessary for the sue
oessful operation Of the bill.
some Are Poor Collectors.
Anderson OF Saline In the senate intro
duced a resolution today OF considerable
| import. II provides that the senate ap-
point a committee Of three to investigate
and determine why certain county treasur-
ers have been so lax in the collection OF
taxes. He asserts that in one county ac-
tually no settlement was made with the
! state while In others as low As, 10 and
| / per cent OF the taxes have been collected
! Some Of the counties, on the other hand
pay from 90 to 95 per cent and he seeks to
! have these returns equalized.
Sloan OF Fillmore In the senate intro.
duced a bill providing for a four-year-tern
OF once for county officers instead OF two
The last act of the senate today was 4
/ mass uithout a dfaaentfuM Voiaa. A.