The wageworker. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1904-????, 1907-02-08
County Option Has lnntno.

OF intoxicating liquors was the topic
of discussion by the supporters of the
measure. 1t was an open meeting
called for the purpose of giving every
one interested in the bill, either for or
against, an opportunity to be heard
Speeches were made by Rev. w. M.
Balch, Chancellor Andrews, C. c.
Flansburg, Rev. 2. S. Batten, A. G.
Wolfenbarger, c. M. Clarks and others.
The arguments presented resolved
themselves into the need for the bill,
the public sentiment in it's favor, and
the claim that it's provisions give the
best possible solution of the temper
ance question for the conditions that
now exist in Nebraska. Chancellor
Andrews, in his talk, took the ground
that the open saloon is menace to
the youth of the land. He said the bill
would not make it impossible to get
liquor, for those who wanted it would
get it, but there was often a strain
in the blood of young man that made
it impossible for him to walk past
saloon. If it were not there, the temp
tation would be removed and he would
live and flourish. What would you do
with the drug stores?" asked Repre-
sentative Walsh Of Douglas. Even
the sale of liquors in the drug Stores
replied the chancellor, would be bet
ter than the open saloon. The COM
mittee took no action, though 1t is
confidently expected the bill will get
before the legislature for its consider
alton. The measure was introduced
by Hart of York, being House Roll
No. 5.
This question was up in the senate
Friday, when a motion was made to
recommit Senate File 1913, by Wilcox,
l. nfVy
The result of the discussion was that
public hearing will be given in the
senate Wednesday night of this week
at o'clock and S. F. No. 103, and S.
F. No. 1O1, both by Patrick of Sarpy
were made special order for consid-
GRAFTON in the committee of the whole
Thursday of the present week at 2
D. M The bills make signers on
petition for saloon license, the sa-
loon keeper and his bondsmen, equal
ly liable for damages that may result
from the sale of liquor, and provide
that saloon licenses shall be revoked
when the holder violates city ord1-
nance.
The public discussion of county op-
ton in the house and the action of the
senate is taken as an indication that
the question is arousing deep interest.
that they will have a majority of ten
in the house and five in the senate.
Interurban Railways.
\ stiff fight occurred in the senate
Thursday afternoon over senate hle 70,
by Thomas of Douglas, which was the
special order The bill provides that
street railways may take an interest
in the interurban railway companies
and aid them by subscriptions to capt.
tai stock or otherwise. 1t also contains
provision that street railways may
acquire an interest in stock in inter-
| urban roads and may dispose OF some.
Ashton, of Hall and Aldrich of Butler,
sought to amend the bill, the object OF
| the amendments being that notice
, must be given of sales of stock, their
fear being that railroad corporations
would get control, and thus continue
their monopoly. Burns of Lancaster
| vigorously defended the bill. Senator
| Thomas explained that it merely
meant that the Metropolitan Street
| Railway company of Omaha should be
| given the right to extend it's lines into
the country and to stand behind the
bonds of inteururban companies. On
motion of Aldrich the bill was referred
back to the judiciary committee.
Railroads Want a Hearing.
The joint railroad committee. has
been asked by the attorney of at least
| one railroad company to be heard be-
| fore the committee on the railway
commission bill and the two-cent fare
bill. The anti-pass bill does not appear
| to interest the railroads. Senator Will
sey of Frontier, chairman of the senate
committee on railroads, is ready to
| grant a hearing as matter of cour-
tesy, but the date has not been set.
The subcommittee that is preparing
| the railway commission bill has not
| contemplated the work of placing the
bill in form to present to the main
committee, though all of the provis-
ions have been agreed to. The anti
| free pass bill, which contains many
| exceptions, is being carefully consld-
| cred for the reason that it is reported
! that Governor Sheldon will not sign
a bill that does not conform to the
| republican state platform. The plat
form excerpts only bona fide employees
of railroads, their families and the
caretakers of livestock in shipment
Protect Game Birds.
Byrnes of Platte, has decided views
on the game laws of the state of Ne
| braska He is in favor OF affordlng
further protection. not from the stand
point of a sentimentalist, but from the
standpoint of a sportsman who has
stood behind the gun many day. He
will probably introduce bills amending
the game laws in this state, though
some of his ideas are already covered
by bill offered at the request of the
game and fish commission. The sports
man ia said to be the best friend of the
game and insectivorous birds and the
fish in the lakes and streams of Ne
braska The sportsman is distin-
guished from the slaughterer and pot
hunter of game and fish. One is sup
posed to be imbued with instincts OF
humaneness and the other is imbued
with the desire to earn a few dollars
| ouoD az his qualification ic followed nv