Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-11
tuesday, SET FOR DECISION
SENATE COMMITTEE IS SLOW
tFrom a STAT correspondent1

CFrom a staff Correspondent
LINCOLN, Jan. 10.-(Special with the
coming week the Legislature win settle
down to business, with permanent organiza
ton effected and regular work under way
Partisan politics, of course will have the
call, since the first big fight will come
over the question Of the recanvass OF votes
on the constitutional amendments, proposed
by Senator Ransom of Douglas and con-
surred in by Governor Shallenbergcr.
Whether the more conservative Of the
democrats and the minority votes together
will be able to prevent this action, which
is conceded to be for mere political effect
remains to be threshed out but It was evi.
dent today that growing sentiment OK.
lists against the rocanvass, on the ground
that II is not best to make political thun.
der out Of an attack on the courts The
fact that this movement has been inspired
by corporation interests does not lend force
to the onslaught.
senator Ransom himself, in the senatorial
caucus, when he first brotched the matter,
said that he doubted very much whether
anything tangible would resule save laying
the foundation for future campaign. This
was the view of some OF the other senator's
who later concurred In the action. The
house majority members have not eau
caused the question and from the attitude
of the members on the floor when the
question came up in joint session, It is
doubtful If a caucus would hold some OF
them in line should the attempt be made.
Position of Members.
few of the senators who are disposed
to be fair, take a middle ground. For in
stance, Senator Miller of Lancaster, who
has all along voted with the majority. says
since the question of the right to canvass
votes as between the legislature and the
canvassing board has never been deter
mined In the courts, there Is no better time
than the present to put 1t up to the high
est tribunal. But Senator Miller has been
promised the Craftsmanship of the commit
tee finance and his decision may not
be entirely disinterested. In the house the
position of Representative Taylor OF Gus
ter, against the re-canvass. Is also attacked
on the ground he does not wish the selec-
tion of Judge Dean OF Custer county dis
turbed by any action Of the Legislature and
the governor. While these points are given
due weight, there remains the argument
hch Is influencing many members of the
majority party. that an attack upon the
courts, admittedly for campaign purposes.
is not calculated to give the party much
standing out over the state and especially
as the first act of the new administration
which has come into power claiming tht
ability to give exact justice without feai
or favor
1t mas been suggested that II the legisla.
ture does recanvass, the governor might re.
appoint the same judges to testNnerely the
legal deustion involved. but this would de.
prive the democrats OF one judge. for which
some OF them have been crying ever since
h. a1In.
Such course would gain no material ad-
vantage. and material advantage seems to
be the goal of the men behind the present
movement.
The activity of some OF the Lancaster
democrats against the recanvsss came as a
surprise TO the organizers of the movement.
They counted on opposition from Taylor OF
Custer and contingent OF his followers.
Now 1t is seen the opposition is growing
and the result is much in doubt It would
take eighteen democrats, voting with the
republicans I'm Joint session, to constitute
majority in joint session to prevent the
recanvass The legislature has fixed the
date for action as next Tuesday. There Is
ample time for a caucus on the question
and should 1t take place there is little doubt
some fireworks little hotter than any vet
discharged in the prelimnaries viii be let
loose.
where Ransom f. Weak.
One argument being used against the re-
canvass and against the position OF Senator
Ransom on the question is that In 1897 the
Douglas county senator was instrumental I'm
amending the law OF 1895 giving the state
Canvassing board power TO canvass returns
which Is not attacked. II the law Of 1895
was invalid, Mr.. Ransom is criticized for
| trying to amend an invalid law, or his no.
sition now is apparently inspired by moth
ing but partisan motives.
| The senate will convene Monday after
noon' as will the house. In the senate the
committee on standing committees is not
as far toward completing its list as is the
house body 1t is possible the senate list
may not be announced before Tuesday. The
house committee, II the list is o Kd bv
Governor Shallenberger and Mr. BRYAN. 10
whom the committee chairman promised he
would submit the list, and If another fiRht
does not develop in caucus. will probably
receive the report Monday afternoon. Then
the bodies will be ready for the transaction
or business and bills will begin to pour In.
inc senate committee on employees will re-
port early in the week and settle a num-
ber or disputes as to spoils