Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-08
oNe-FoURTH OF ONE PER CENT
Amount Of Tax to Be Levied on Bank.
srS for Purpose Of Creating the
Fund is Fixed Tentatively
at That Figure.

-
40 the Senate and House OF Representa-
tves of thu Thirty-F4tst Session of the
Z Nebrasks legislature: N
I congratulate you upon being called to
serve in your Legislative capacity at a time
when the state In enjoying general pros
peritys Nature has been kind and her yield
bountiful, Our people are industrious and
the enihn and prices for their products
satisfactory. Our population is not dense,
probably less than 1905 900 of people dwell
within our borders. A study of the records
of our bureau OF statistics will show how
marvellous have been the achievements OF
these later years. So rich our soil, so
matchleas our climate, so wonderful the
industry of our people that here upon Ne
braska soil American civilization in It's
highest development piles up each year a
larger surplus OF useful prOducts than a
like number OF people can produce upon
any other spot on earth.
With a clearness OF vision and under
standing az to the purposes and possibili-
tjer OF legislative enactment, a steadfast
and successful people will not expect Of
you impossible things or unreasonable laws.
Having wrung year after year great riches
from a generous soil, they now know that
they can compel prosperity to abide with
them always. They whl. however. expect
OF the party whose, members control this
senate and the house. the specific lesisla-
tlon pledged In the platform upon which
You are elected.
To stamp these promises upon the statute
books of our state ss written law should
be the purpose. the constant purpose, ana
j sincerely hope the accomplished purpose,
of this legislature.
II wish to impress upon both houses the
strength n directness with which this
mandate Tor certain legislation comes from
the people. After n long period OF con-
tinued and complete control OF state affairs
by one party, the citizenship Of this COM
monWealth has placed another political or
ganisation in power in the legislative and
executive branches OF our government.
For myself. / do not feel that there is
any personal victory in this change. It il
rather = triumph of ideas: a verdict in favo:
of better laws, a condemnation of certain
unsatisfactory methods, a demand for
amendments OF legislation already enacted
and against which the people complain.
Congratulate the Legislature.
The basis TOR this opinion lies in the
significant fact that while the executive
branch of the party placed in power re-
ceived a very modest plurality, the legis-
lRtive majority of the same party IL over
whelming. The electorate of Nebraska IS
certainly as intelligent. and independent as
that of any other state in the republic.
They know that tho executive can but en-
force your edicts, the legislature must make
the laws. Understanding this, they gave m
phRtic endorsement to. the legislative de-
partment of the party now responsible with
power. The party. whose platform promised
the legislation which l shall urge and the
people gave their approval with a force
that can neither be misunderstood or
denied.
Governor Sheldon has detailed to you the
result OF his administration OF state affairs
and you nave listened to his recommends
lions. I urge that you give earnest and
careful consideration to all he has said. l
shall not go further into a discussion as
10 the needs of the different state %institu-
tions and departments. but refer you to the
reports and recommendation made to the
governor by the superintendents and heads
OF departments for your information and
guidance.
work for the Lawmakers.
1 shall briefly call your attention to leg
i~slation, the prospect and hope or which,
in my opinion, has brought about this
change in the control of the executive and
Legislative departments OF state govern
ment. II is first 70 be noted that'no new
or radical legislation Is asked for. Every
suggestion is but TO amend, correct, or i'm
prove some existing law.
As a general rule. we already have too
many laws incumbering our statute books
Many are good. some imperfect, a few bad.
The good should be let alone. the imper-
fections cured. the bad repealed. What is
needed. IN my judgment, IL an honest and
fearless enforcement OF the laws that we
now have. rather than a constant cry for
new laws, and new laws as an excuse for
.inAction and delay: While upon this sub
Ject, I would recommend the appointment
Of q qualified commission to revise and
improve our present code Of laws, so that
Justice may be more easily and rapidly OBJ
tanned In our courts. That this is sorely
needed IL a point upon which all our best
legal authorities agree. and l recommend
It TO your careful consideration.
The matters 10 which l wish TO call your
especial attention are not numerous, but
l believe them TO be important,
I shall present them TO you under separ-
ate heads.
improvements I'm Ranking Law.
Andrew Carnegie has said, America has
the worst banking system In the world
/ scarcely think the facts warrant such a
statement but will venture the opinion that
we rave not the best system that il is
possible for us to obtain. and nothing but
the best should be good enough for the
people of Nebraska. Our present law is
very much IN advance in all that pertains
10 safe and proper banking to the law
which preeeded It.. No. one will venture
10 maintain that the one now in force, is
perfect. therefore. We are warranted I'm
asking for stNl further Improvement. The
primary purpose for the establishment OF
banks 80 far as the public is concerned. is
first that the people shall have a safe place
10 deposit their money, and second that
those who need money may conveniently
obtain funds upon proper security after
the money shah have been gathered to-
Eethsr by the bankipg corporation.
Tho ideal system OF banking will suar-
Rntes 10 depositofs the absolute certainty
OF the return OF every dollar deposited.
and this will insure the greatest possible
volume OF loRnable finds in banks for the
needs OF business. The state and nation
should see 70 It that every safeguard shall
be provided for the secnriO OF the depositor,
since they permit and authorize the re-