The independent., 1907-02-07

bright and balmy and there was
promise of the breaking up of the cold
weather that existed during January.
The snow melted rapidly and the
streets were full of running w1ter.
About in the afternoon there came
a sudden blast from the northwest. In
five minutes the water in the streets
was frozen as solid as it could be. and
the air was full of snow, suggesting
that the day had come that would dis
count the big blizzard Of January II,
1883. The snow lasted but a few min
uteS. however. When the gale struck
the town the government thermometer
marked 40 above zero. At o'clock It
was 6 above, and at midnight it was
10 below
TECUMSEH, Neb., Feb. 3.-One of
the most successful farmers institutes
ever held in Johnson county closed a
four days session last evening AL
though the weather was somewhat
cold the attendance was good through
out. Some of the best agricultural tall
ent of the west participated. A corn
show, fruit exhibit and boys and girls
exhibit were features.
DORCHESTER, Neb Feb. A
mass meeting on Christian citizenship
was held in the Methodist church here
last evening. Much satisfaction was
expressed with the action of the senate
in passing S. +. Nos. and 7. also
resolution was passed asking both
houses to act favorably on county op-
ton.
A senator said at the Monday pri-
mary hearing that he was for a state
wide direct primary if he could oe as
sured that the plan would brig out
full vote. Otherwise he believed it had
no merit. Measured by tl'ls standard the
believers in direct nominations will
have to admit that not only the direct
primary, but the pvpu.ar election of
all officials and popular government
itself have no merit The last election
in Nebraska after an interesting and
important campaign, fell at lra.5t fifty
thousand votes short of q ~ dH vote"
In the more recent national elections
there have been about three million
fewer votes than eligible voters. There
are now and will be until intelligence
and civic conscience are universal, a
considerable number of men who 5hirk
the duties and neglect the privileges
of citizenship. Is that a reason for
disfranchising the rest, either at cleo
tions or at primaries?
Ten out of fourteen members of the
joint committee on the direct primary
voted to support the pledge of the state
platforms to provide state wide
direct primary. These were Farley Of
Hamilton, Dodge of Douglas, r. p.
Brown of Lancaster, Anderson of Madi-
son, Phillips of Holt, Wilson of Paw
nee. Holbrook of Dodge, Patrick of
Sarpy, Thomas of Douglas, and Aid
rich of Butler. The four who voted
not to put the state platforms into
complete effect were McMullen of
Gage, Mackey of Custer, Marlatt of
Kcdrney, and Luce Of HaildL. Whether
any of these made it generally known
to their constituents lefore election
that they should cpposn tne state plat
form on this point - no. matter Of
general knowledge. Until this point is
cleared up it is not fair to accuse any
representative Of breach Of faith IN
this matter.
The action Of the joint committee
promises a primary law in strict con-
formity to the platform pledges Of both
parties. 1t was well to have the Opposi-
tion appear at this time il will serve
as a warning to the people of the state
that influences are at work to defeat
their aspirations to control nomina-
tions, and should tend to concentrate
public support and sympathy upon the
members, doubtless a large majority of
both houses, VINO propose to keep the
faith.
The strength of the petitions pre-
pared for the legislature on behalf of
Christian science may astonish the
lawmakers 20 understand why 80
many people have interested them
selves in the subject in Lincoln just
now ii is necessary to know that some
of the most prominent people socially
have been active in this work, and
have succeeded in interesting many OF
their friends who otherwise would be
entirely different. In a social way the
scientists in Lincoln are not to be
sneezed at, even 1: they openly make
no pretensions I'm that direction
A Lincoln lawyer who Is generous
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