Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-13


- Thursday, January 3, when, 40
s4 cording to along-sJanding custom.
the two houses took advantage
OF lull in business and adjourned un.u
tuesday of last week. Those members who
old not remain for the inaugural reception
In the evening hurried away to catch the
first trains for home to make their first
report to an inquiring constituency and to
fight over before groups Of their neighbors
the exciting battle of ballots that resulted
a the organization of the house with Dan
Netteton in the chair. The preliminary
mtruggle in the lobby Of the hotel will fur.
nish themes for many interesting CONVEX.
sations. The feverish excitement of the
canvass for support by the various candi.
dates for speaker and their friends and
the final elimination of the campaign in
the almost frantic mass meeting in the
lobby whqh the different candidates were
called out and forced to declare their prin-
ciples from the top of a table and finally
the rush for the caucus room, where tho
night was kept up through three exciting
ballots, are features that always accom-.
pany the opening Of a legislative assembly.
They also furnish the topics of, conversa-
ton for the first two or three days of the
session or until the subsequent develop
ments crowd them out of the mind.
"OpeninE'' Done In the Omen.
In some respects the opening of the ses-
sion this year Is In marked contrast to
ing hrst days OF former sessions. The first
Areat difference developed at the caucus
ipr the nomination of the speaker OF the
house, when everyone who wanted to attend
did so. Formerly the members apparently
AFRAID to be frank with their constituents
saw that the doors were locked and all
possible peep holes guarded before they
started the business of selecting the man
who would have more influence than any
one else In the state on the legislation
which would come UP before the les4sla-
ture. 1t is generally conceded by the lead
Ing members that less secret work will be
done this year than usual. The members
OF both houses have announced their in
tention OF carrying out the will of the peo-
pie Is expressed in party platforms, and
this vpeing the program they apparently
are'not as timid as the members % former
sessions have been about taking the public
into their confidence
There is little pomp or ceremony that IL
not absolutely required by ordinary rules
OF good manners about the formalities at
tending-the opening OF a legislature About
the only portion Of the ceremonies that
make any pretense to elaboration is the
lows the organization OF the two houses.
The presence of the members Of both
RpYses, the state officers. the members OF
lsupreme court and the real serious
of the formalities give a dignity to
ceremony that is not found In the
Cpening sessions of the two houses.
The senators, owing to their smaller
number and the larger constituency each
one represents claim for themselves a
little more dignity and elaboration than
the members of the more numerous body.
Still, even in the senate. there is a lack
of ceremony about the opening session that
is apt to surprise the visitor who expected
TO see something ON the grand" order.
O.
New Lieutenant Governors.
The presence of former Lieutenant Gov
ernor E. G. McGilton added TO the dignity
of the opening session OF the senate His