Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-12-10
WILL Be No EXTRA SESSION
Governor Decides Against Calling the
Legislators Tsgsthsr
DOUBTS DESIRED RESULTS WOULD FOLLOW
Constitutional Convention the Best
Remedy, but Expense Too Great
in View of Present siss
of state Debt.
CI7rom a stafr Correspondent


LINCOLN, Dec. 9.-(speclal.) To-day
Governor Mickey issued a statement in
which he declares that in his judgment
there exists no SUFFICIENT reason for calling
the legislature together in special session.
He states that he is in favor of certain con-
stitutionsl amendments, but he does not be-
heve that the electors would adopt them II
they were submitted, and on that ground
OBJECTS to the expense Of a session of the
legislature. He advocates. by way OF pref
erence, constitutional convention as an
ehcient means of securing changes in the
organic law, II It were not for the magni-
tude OF the state debt
While the governor has been known to
favor maximum freight rate legislation this
authorized statement goes further and is
more explicit than any previous utterance
His suggestion that the executive be given
power on his own motion to bring an orig
inal action in the supreme court to enforce
equitable and reasonable freight rates is in
tended to expedite hearings and prevent the
delay involved in an appeal. 1t is believed
that the suggestions OF the statement given
out today will be embodied in his message
TO the next legislature.
Statement of Governor.
The statement follows:
~ my yuosueht tnere exists no sufficient
reason for calling the legislature together
IN special session for the purpose OF sub
nLunE constitutional amendments or for
any other purpose to which INV attention
mas been called up to the present time
IN view of the experience Nebraska has
nae In voting on proposed amendments to
the constitution no one can reasonably hope
70 see the amendments carry at the next
general election II submitted. While | am
IN favor Of amending the constitution In a
number of particulars. l do not feel justi-
ned in putting the state to the expense of
an extra session for the purpose of again
submitting the proposed amendments That
method of relief is an acknowledged failure
In this state and know of no greater rea-
son TO hope for its success next year than
amendments have been defeated
The holding of a constitutional conven-
ton would be the better way OF accom-
plishing the desired changes In the or
ganic law, but owing to the magnitude Of
the state debt would not feel warranted
at this time in encouraging such conven-
ton. Fortunately, we now have legislation
in force which will gradually reduce the
debt and when 1t has been paid of, or
brought down to reasonable bounds, then
constitutional convention, with It's at
tendant heavy expense, might be consid-
cred with propriety.
II the legislature were 10 be called
should submit to Il other matters as well
as amendments The state is in need Of
better and safer insurance laws. 1t Is in
need of an differentiation, or trust law
which does not contradict itself and is
easy OF enforcement. It is In need of rail-
way fegulatlOn. a law especially needed Is
one which will provide, not for a commits
sion to hear, postpone and bury complaints,
but law to FIX rates and law which
will empower the governor, on his own
motion, to bring an action originally in
the supreme court, in the name OF the
state, to enforce equitable and reasonable
freight rates. 1t Is idle to talk about hav-
ing an elective railway commission when
the legislature has the power under the
constitution to provide for railroad reSlla-
ton and to authorize its executive officers.
some OF them to enforce its provisions.
The executive officers are elective officers
Just as much the proposed railroad
commission would be.
As I view II. the power to convene the
legislature In extraordinary session is con-
ferred upon the governor for the purpose
Of meeting extreme emergencies. such as
which constitute an immediate and a seri-
Gus menace to the welfare of the state.
No su"h emergency exists at present. In
NV Judgment. I would not be justified in
adding To the states burden OF debt by
calling sncclal session for the consldera-
tion NJ such subjects as have been under
discussion. These are matters which can
wait for the regular session, one year from
this winter. Al that time a new leetsla-
tiIre. directly from the people will he in
more DEFINITELY expressed relative to the
questions at Issue.
Sue Guard Captain.
Adjutant General Culver states that the
Judge advocate general OF the guard has
been instructed to bring civil suit against
q retired captain and his bondsmen on
account Of his failure to properly account
for all of the military stores in his custody
The name of the officer is withheld for
the present. This move marks the opera