Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-29
COMBINATIONS ON SPEAKER
Not Developed ! ar EnsuVh to Indicate
What Strength it Has
LOBBYISTS SAY THEY ARE KEEPING OUT
Indications, However, Are They Are
BusiIy at work Under Cover to
Secure Favorable Organ
ization.
(From a Stan Correspondent)


LINCOLN, Dec. y ESPECIAL. )-Rumors OF
filled the air today and the
indications are the speakership fight Will
develrq some interesting phases very
shortly. The talk is either a combination
of the field against McMullen or a combi-
nation of the field against Nettleton. Two
or three Of the candidates have discussed
a combination of the field against the
leader informally, but there were not
enough members here during the day to
definitely show whether the field could or
ganize against any one man.
The corporations are not going to keep
their hands off OF the organization Of the
house, as their lobbyists would have the
general public believe. but as In the past
they viii do all in their power TO secure
an organization suited to their purpose. To
this end Burlington Lobbyist w, A Dill
worth, was here yesterday, as was his lieu
tenant. Frank Young, Of the same brigade.
Loanng around the Lindell lobby are few
unattached lobbyists, who are pretending
they are looking for nothing and expect to
remain unattached. These unattached lob
byists. however. are doing the listening
act. and within a short time they will have
to show their hands.
Little Talk Among Senators.
Among the senators there is little talk
of an organization. Inasmuch as the presi-
dent of the senate has little authority, and
the committees even are appointed by a
committee. few candidates have come out
for the place. ]. c. f. McKesson of Lam
caster is here on the ground, OF course
and he wants the place, and Joe Burns is
his general manager Saunders of Doug
las county has no manager here and
nf Nnna
who is considered a strong candidate for
the place, did not show up during the day
Parties who do not want Dodge for
speaker are saying Saunders will be made
president pro TEN of the senate in an effort
to sidetrack Dodge. while those who favor
Dodge are saying the same thing about
the candidacy OF Saunders.
NettIetOn is Angry.
Candidate Nettleton was extremely net
tied this morning when a demo-pop said
he was receiving the support of the state
committee officials and the backing Of
Norris Brown even to the extent of Sc
curing a room at the republican state
headquarters for nothing. Mr. Nettleton
answered the statement in these few, but
pointed words:
ITS a d-n lie"
And since the appearance of the state
ment in the paper Landlord Steve Hoover
has been chasing himself AROUND every
where telling that Mr.. Nettleton pays for
his headquarters the same as any other
candidate.
Former Representative Cunningham,
who started out as a candidate for SER
geant-at-arms of the house., has with
drawn from the race and very mag1ani-
mously has requested 1t be made public
that he will sacrifice his own interests to
secure the appointment of George II.
washburn of his town of Giltner as post
master Of the senate
H. A Hober, who was sergeant-at-arms
of the senate during the. last session, is
on the ground to get his old job back. He
halls from Fullerton. Other candidates for
minor places are beginning to come in and
are almost as numerous as the legislators.
Among the senators, Epperson of Clay
county added himself to the list this after
noon, declaring that he cares little about
who fills the offices, though he said there
| pledged in the platform would be enacted
into law. Senator Epperson brought some
fame to himself two years, ago by offer
| ing a motion to poison the dog of an
editor who had spoken derogatory of the
! legislature. The senators had worked them
selves into q white heat and some of them
were foaming, almost, in their determination
of this newspaper man when Eppersor
got the floor.
"Mr President" he said, something
awful should be done to that editor. His
action justihes the most severe punish.
ment. l therefore move you, Mr.. President
that a committee of three be appointed tC
poison the editors dog"
| 1t had the effect of starting the senate
on another line of business. incidentally
Mr.. Epperson brought his dog with hin
and said he was going to take it over to {
relative to visit during the winter.
Secretary of State Junkin tonight an
rounced the appointment of Walker Smiti
OF Elwood. Gosper county, as recording
clerk in his office. The position pays $40
a month. Mr.. Smith was for three term
county clerk of his county and Is an ex
tensive land owner This makes the sec
ond Smith in the office, and as Deput!
Waits mother is a Smith Mr.. JunkiI
said he felt he had done his duty by tn,
Smith family.
| Among the arrivals tonight was Repre-
sentative Hin of Imperial, who is a candi
date for speaker. Mr.. Hill has decided
not to open headquarters, but will fee
out the members on his chances and taxi
a shot at the plum at the caucus withou
making a vigorous campaign.
| Mike Lee came down from Douglas
county and brought the information tina
the balance of the delegation, or a big por
ton OF It, will be in town tomorrow ANON
the other arrivals were Killen and Nc
Culloch of Gage, Renkel of Webster
Besso representing Adams and Webster
Wilson OF Custer and Hamer Of Buffalo.
Rev. Mr.. Flock of Omaha, who was chap
lain OF the senate two years ago. is her
to boom his candidacy for the same plac
this year. Some OF the members will &
home tomorrow TO spend Sunday.