Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-17

lature begins business In a couple OF weeks.
st. Paul Republican: Yeiser Of Omaha
emits a yowl to the effect that Norris
Brown is unconstitutional because he is the
popular choice for United states senator.
According to that theory, the less friends
a man has the stronger his claim to a seat
in the United States senate.
Falls City Journal: Colonel Tilton Of
Beatrice desires to be secretary Of the
senate. He has the best wishes OF the
Journal. The newspaper men certainly do
a great deal to help the ticket and most
of the work they do for nothing. II once
in awhile one Of them can get little pie
1t is his due,
Beatrice Express: 1t is hoped that the re-
port Of slate-making az Lincoln with view
Of handling legislative and other appoint
ments. is not true. Such a proceeding
would not accord very well with the party
platform Of reform, and 1t is believed those
elected this year from governor down will
discountenaDce and kick aside any slate
prepared by political manlpulators.
Hodrege Progress: The fact that the
railroads may enlist the federal govern
ment IN their behalf and thus secure the
privilege Of paying their taxes at such
time as they may feel disposed or as shall
to make the average tax payer do some
tall thinking. Why should the railroads
be allowed this special privilege, when the
farmer or some person far less able to pay
his portion of governmental expenses, is
compelled to pay his taxes or have his
property sold to meet the delinquency? Are
the railroads to run the state or are the
people, which,
Lincoln News; Aside from it's function
In keeping a record OF the insurance com
panies doing business In Nebraska and
providing the means whereby information
as to their standing may be readily OBJ
tained, the department in this state Is not
exerting itself in such a way as to make
any profound impression of It's usefulness.
To hear Of a company being called to &C
count for delinquencies or violations OF
the law is a decided rarity, and still more
seldom is II that the department takes the
| trouble to issue a warning for the benefit
Of insurance patrons. 1t leaves the public,
for the most part, in ignorance as to what
| concerns are sound and which one follows
methods verglng upon the ilegitimate. A
little more Tennessee vigor would be
good thing for insurance regulation in this
state.
Columbus Tribune Those legislators who
are working on a primary election bill in
| accordance with the pledge OF the repub-
lican party will find two important diff
! culties to meet, unless they tack to II a
| compulsory registration clause. In the first
( place, II the majority of voters under q
non-compulsory direct primary system
manifest, the same indifference they display
| under our present caucus system the
nominations will all be made by the cities
and towns, and the country districts will not
be represented In the second place, there
is danger that the voters of one party may
help to nominate a weak candidate in the
opposing party for the sake of strength
ening their own ticket. We believe that
to meet these two difficulties registration
should be made compulsory II possible, and
the primaries for all parties should be held
on the same day.
Tekamah Herald; Nebraska's motto IA
Equality before the law" We believe
that the railroad should be treated like
other property interests in the state. The
assessment Of RAILROAD property by the
lefty OF Omaha TOT city PURPOSES or a6V
other city or town in the state as proposed
by a plank in the republican platform
would not take a dollar of railroad tax
from any school or road district in the
state. The method of assessment by the
state board would remain the same as
now prorating the total valuation Of the
respective roads on the mileage basis Civ.
ing to the rural municipal subdivision the
same valuation per mile for assessment
purposes as has the city OF Omaha OF
Lincoln. But why should not a city OF
town have the right to assess the railroad
property within its corporate limits foI
municipal purpOses7 Does not the railroad
enjoy the fire and police protection and
all other convenences Just the same as
other property interests within the cor.
porate limits? Then why not bear its just
proportion OF the expense Of maintaining
these public necessities?
Grand Island Independent: Congressman
Kinkaid on one side and Senator Burket
and the entire remainder Of the con.
gressional delegation on the other are de-
liberating over the Burkett federal iu
dioial bill. AS the Independent ha,
hitherto urged IL the state il to h,
divided into two districts It should be witt
a regard for the interest of the peopl,
Of the state and be so divided as TO In
cur the least loss OF time and money foi
the litigants. There can be no question
but that such a division line would b,
north and south-not east and west. Blu
Mr.. Kinkaid occupies a peculiar and some
what amusing POSITION he wants to heal
from the district judges in his, the Sixth
district and believes they will favor
either North Platte OF Kearney as a fed
eral court point Neither point is avail
able to any considerable number Of tn,
people OF the Sixth in view of which fac
I the congressional committee meetings O
that district are almost invariably held IL
Grand Island, and the conventions them
selves would be but for the politica
feature OF the matter.
Albion News: In our opinion, the most i'm
portant matter to come before the leg,sla
! ture this winter Is the formulating OF a di
? rect primary law. With such a law II
p force, IL II is properly drawn, all ether re
, forms will come along easily. There is NJ
question OF the popular will as applied T.
all matters OF public economy and Iefo m
D II the officers who are elected to do IN
business Of the public reflect the sentimen
OF the people then there will be no trOubl
in having a clean, competent and econon
zeal government Of state, county and mu
nicipality. The direct primary will ellmi
nate the special interests, which have al
! ways dominated political parties. Peghap
: not entirely, but to very great extent
There is going to be one great danger L
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