Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-04
Nebraska
STATE EQUALIzERS ABSENT
Governor and Land Commissioner the
Only Ones on Hand.
BIG VOTE LOOKED FOR TODAY
Prohibition of All saIOons L. the la
sue AEainst = Proposal GO Close
at six Thirty Instead
of seven.
From a staff Correspondent.

From a staff Correspondent
LINCOLN. Neb.. May s.-Lass than a
quorum Of the state board of equalization
and assessment met today and an adjourn
ment was taken without the transaction of
any business. The revenue law requires
this board to meet the first Monday in
May. Governor Shallenberger hastened
home from Norfolk to be present and Land
Commissioner Cowles. who had been In
vestigating state lands in the western part
pf the state, was also present. Secretary
Chris Schavland had an arm full of books
and records, but they were unopened be-
cause no other members were present.
Secretary Of state Junkin is on his farm
in Gosper county, State Treasurer Brian
is visiting relatives in California and Aud
itor Barton is in Chicago on insurance
BUSINESS. Governor Shallenberger and Mr..
Cowles being new members OF the board
and less than q quorum being present de-
cided to adjourn.
The board will meet from time to time
tlllthe railroad assessment and equaliza-
ton OF values between counties and classes
Of property is made. The fact that tho
statute requires the board to meet the first
Monday in May did not deter the board
from being absent on that date one year
ago. The governor was not present. Act
Ing Governor Charles l.. Saunders called
a meeting one year ago and had the
pleasure of meeting all by himself. He adj
journed after a brief period of meditation
and none of the railroads Questioned the
subsequent work Of tho board which 1t ac-
compllshed later in the year. 1t is not
thought the failure OF the board to have a
quorum present at the first meeting will
give any taxpayer a chance to set aside
assessments, because the revenue law pro-
vides that irregularities in assessments
shall not invalidate taxes levied.
Phobition IL n Issue.
over 5000 votes are expected to be cast
In Lincoln tomorrow, due very largely to
the fact that prohibition is again an issue.
AT both headquarters Monday It was
stated that the vote was sure to be a big
one, because, In addition, there are warm
contests in all of the wards over council
men, and because every city officer who Is
on the elective list is to be selected this
time. The police judge, it may be re-
marked, does not belong in the strictly city
list.
At republican headquarters the feeling is
strong that Love will carry the city by
from 1000 to 200 majority. At demcoatic
headquarters they believe that Malone will
pull through with a fair majority.
Last fall 9,521 votes were cast in the city.
Last sp-ing when prohibition was the
issue, about 1880 were polled. It will be
seen, therefore, that with all the induce
ments to vote this spring, the estimate Of
5000 is not likely to be far off.
Three men, Adna Dobson for enRIn ear.
t. :. Virgins for cemetery trustee and
James A. Sheffield for tax commissioner
have no opposition. For treasurer, George
l.. Dayton, republican, is opposed by
Joseph w. Bryan, democrat. For city
clerk there is a three-cornered contest be-
tween Roscoe G. Oman, regularly nomi-
mated at the republican primary; j. r..
Day. democrat, and Barr Parker. Parker
was a former republican councilman from
the Fifth ward. He ran two years ago
against Pratt for the republican nomina-
ton. This year he filed as a candidate
without submitting his candidacy to the
active campaigns, and Parker has been
around some, too. Ozman Is strong among
the university men, the old soldiers and
the spanish war veterans, and has the ad-
vantage of a republican primary nomina-
ton.
John NJ. Stewart, the present city attor-
ney, is opposed by Roy j. Abbott. demo-
crat, and John II, Berry, who was de-
feated for the republican nomination for
justice of the peace some time ago.
IN interesting three-cornered fight is on
I lOI water COIlilllSSl OIltIs Games liver. the
present commissioner, is opposed by T. p.
Harrison, who is a republican but who did
not get into the primary, and James S.
DeVore, democrat.
All indications point TO the election of
Harpham and Powell for eXcisemen. They
have the big advantage of having been
tried and their position is known beyond
any doubt. r. d. SPELLS, Lyman W. Ed
ridge and Harry G. GildersleeVe are three
others who have been doing a lot of hust-
ling, which has not been lone by the pres
ent eXcisemen.
Dakota County Must Pay.
School district No. II, Dakota county,
must pay TO Edward Chepard of New
York the sum of $4,3l9.55 as. accrued inter-
est on an old bond issue of 81. 600 which
was voted once upon a time to assist in
the erection OF a building for a normal
school that was never established. A de-
cision rendered by Judge T. c. Munger in
the federal court holds that the district
is legally bound to pay, even though there
may have been circumstances in the case
tending to show that the issuance Of bonds
was procured through corrupt connivance
Of public officials.
This is the second time the school dis
trict has been stuck in such a proceed
ing at law. It was sued some years ago
and compelled 10 pay about 5000 in can
collation. Of interest coupons. The part of
the $500 principal has yet been paid, and
the presumption is that the district will
be liable for that sum also.
II was I'm the boom days of 1887 that the