The independent., 1907-02-21

counted them by the general character
of the nominees
Many members of the legislature,
who are now working for the direct
primary are doing SO because OF the
platform planks Of the two parties At
the meeting of the joint committee a
number were inclined to shy at the pri-
mary idea because of its novelty and
yet wherever in the state there has
been a primary the people have been
satisfied
Representative Baker of York county
is a true disciple Of Roosevelt, having
family of twelve boys and two girls.
one of the notable developments Of
the session has been the apparent
usanimity OF interest between the old
and the new telephone companies. The
bill calling all telephone companies
common carriers would fall as heavily
upon the Independent concerns as upon
the Bell interests. In neither house or
senate has the measure been reported
out of the committee. This common
interest was noticed at the outset when
opposition was manifested by eaGl
company to the physical connection
bill.
Representative Dodge of Douglas sat
last Friday evening in the big house
committee room just outside the room
where the finance ways and means
committee was listening to the argu-
ments of Lincoln ladies in favor of the
orthopedic hospital. He heard the
earnestness of their pleas and re-
% YJsa al, I'M, erla
me-" Mr.. Dodge had just a few hours
before dictated a bill for the reno ~
OF the hospital from Lincoln to Omaha
A problem that is puzzling the men,
bers of the legislature or one that will
soon give them much trouble, is the
question of appropriations for the
maintenance. of the state government.
The last legislature appropriated over
So, 000,00 for the biennium 1t is
thought by some that this legislature
may have to exceed the amount given
by the last legislature. 1t is argued
that the cost of living is increasing,
that the needs of the state are increas-
ing owing to an increase in the num-
ber of wards of the state. and yet
there is a desire on the part of the
Legislators to keep the expenses down
TO the lowest possible point.
1t has struck members forcibly that
the demand for new salared positions
is beyond that confronting any other
legislature. There has been objection to
the maintenance of some of the state
departments now existing. yct in the
face of this there are bills before the |
legislature creating many new depart
al WI
siderable money and if once created
may never be abolished There are bills |
creating additional salaried positions |
in the food commissioners department, |
creating a fire commission to inquire |
into the origin of fires, and q bee |
commission. The railway commission
was created by the adoption Of con-
stutional amendment last fall.
The voices of railroad men, so often |
attuned to tones of command, were |
with great difficulty brought down to |
the tremulo of appeal at the recent pub
lie hearings. j. II. Kelby, attorney for |
the Burlington had the greatest diff
Guilty Of any TO put tears in his voice, |
but large majority of his hearers, |
and a Daiority Of the members of the /
legislature. have not yet got done |
NdlknS HDOut ftS SidttlneDl llldl the /
railroads had pondered and even /
glieved because they could find no way |
whereby they could get back any Of |
their taxes after they had once been |
paid Hence they have not paid their
taxes since 1904 when the new revenue
law went into effect 1t has occurred To \
some of the members that the railroads |
might have thought of that staple 1
method which individual taxpayers are \
compelled to follow, that OF paying the \
taxes assessed against them End then \
proceeding In tho courts ~ recover \
whatever part may have been assessed n
illegally. Stil. some lawyers say Il i
can't be done
senator Clarke of adams made an /
earnest effort iaat week 20 have the |
senate approve his bin abolishing capl- /
tai punishment and instead OF the 4
present optional law. require that per- \