New-York tribune., 1905-07-30
NO DRINKING IN OFFICE.
Goveruor Mickey Says Public Ser
UaHts Must Be Sober.


Lincoln. Neb.. July % (speciaD--John II
Mickey farmer, banker, Methodist deacon and
Governor OF Nebraska. has raised new issue
concerning the qualifications or applicants for
State appointments He has decreed that a
man who INDUCES in Intoxicating drinks OF uses
profane language is not ft person TO enter
the employ Of the State.
The Governors stand has created quite a STIR
within the circle OF state employees. many OF
whom. If the executive decides To enforce his
new rule and make il apply 20 those now IN
Office would find themselves deprived Of their
employment In fact. the Governor has been
chided that he has already appointed 70 ornce
men who drink and swear. and the offenders are
quaIing from fear that the Nebraska executive
may suddenly conclude 10 Dust them in case
the charges against them are sustained A
wholesale pledge-signns has been suggested by
some of the more penitent. but TO this plan the
objection has been raised that it would amount
10 a practical admission o. guilt. and thar the
mere signing Of a pledge might not mollify the
Governor.
The Governors pronunCiauento came about
when the state Board of Health OF which the
executive is chairman. assembled TO nominate
one of the secretaries Of the board The sec
retaries are chosen from among the physicians
of the state, their duties being TO pass upon
applications for licenses 70 practice medicine
within the State Each member of the board
had a preferred candidate. and when Mr. Nc
Brfen. the state superintendent. suggested his
favorite. the Governor bIandly asked:
Il am told that your candidate drinks and
swears. Do YOU mean 10 propose such man
for State appotntmente
Superintendent McBrien's embarrassnent was
only temporary. for he soon retorted-
I do not know tbG- he drinks or swears. I
the position. But I cannot see the justice OF
your objection unless YOU apply it personally
TO your own appOintees."
Then the Governor flushed. and asked quick
| Iy;
do you know any OF my apDointees who
drink swear?''
Most assuredly I do" responded the super
intendent. whereUbon he proceeded to give the
names OF a dozen or more OF the Governors
/ appOintees whose use. according to the super
fntendent's declaration. of liquors and profane
language is a matter Of common report The
readiness of the superintendents reply took the
I executive completely by surprise Il shall in
/ vesugate," he said, and with that the board
adjourned
Mickey was not in the least ayerse 70 admitting
that ne had taken a stand against the en-
pioyes OF the STATE governments indulginS in
drink profanity.
1T is not a FAD with me-" he said. although
! I Will confess that it may seem out OF the Ordi-
/ nary. But I am sincere IN the belief that it
/ is the right thing 70 do As Governor I
I doing what I the affairs of the
State the same as if they We're my own private
| business Personally. I have never knowing
ly employed a man. either on my farm or in
my bank whom / knew 70 drink swear I
/ made il a rule 10 engage only those OF good.
moral habits. and I don't consider that anY
person claim 10 possess good morals il he
drinks or swears- i am trying U give Nebraska
{ clean State administration, and il seems TO
{ j
intentions in that direction If only men OF
clean personal habits are employed by the state
: That is the way I would run my business.
Z and that is the I think the States business
should be 1 don't think I could make any
pretense of good citizenship if I held contrary
views"
Governor Mickey is the type Of the self-mada
Westerner- Endowed with only a common
school education. he enlisted as a mere youth
in an Iowa cavalry regiment and served three
/ years in the civil war Ese emtgrated TO Ne
| braska shortly after the close of the struggle
| and took homestead in Polk county. Frugal
| ity was one of his strongest traits and in less
than ten years he had amassed a competence.
Then he branched out and moved 20 the county
seat. OsceOla, where he purchased part in
terest. in bank later becoming its entire owner.
Z heaviest land owner in Polk county, besides
owning it's strongest banking institution
The Governors parents were MethOdists OF
the old school, who looked upon many Of the
worldly pleasures, such as dancing and card
playing. sinful practices, and the son re-
tainS the same views When the Governor was
inaugurated he revoked the arrangements for
nent Lincoln citizens at the State Capitol Il