Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-02-26
HARD SHEDDING
FOR THE CHARTER
Disagreement of Douglas Members
Makes it Necessary for Outsiders
to Take a Hand.
INCLINE TO LOOK AT CITY'S GOOD
Others Determined to Block Effort to
Rush il Through.
CLUB OVER HEADS OF SENATORS
Howell Takes a Hand at Debating
Newspaper Story.
ADDING TO THE PARTY MACHINE
More Bills introduced ON Last of the
Open Session 10 Place Appoint
ments In the Hands of
the Governor.
)thers Determined to Block Effort to
Rush it Through.
LUB OVER HEADS OF SENATORS
Howell Takes a Hand at Debating
Newspaper Story.
ADDING TO THE PARTY MACHrNl


Omaha charter which received such Sc
we're jolt yesterday and which is billed 10
receive several more. promises to be a
nightmare for Senator Howell of Douglas
county. Should the charter bill be killed
in the house more blame will attach 10 tho
senators from Douglas county than to any
one else. and especially to Senators Howell
and Ransom. The charter was kept In the
senate for at least six weeks and then II
was rushed over TO the house with instruc-
tions Ito put it through without amend
ments and do it quick" The charter has
been in the house about a week
There Is no question but what Senator
Ransom holds the whip hand over the
senate, btu when il comes 10 the house
that is a different question. Thomas of the
Douglas delegation attempted to carry out
the instructions of Senator Howell yester-
day and failed.
Democrats of the house are very much
interested in the Omaha charter. Inasnnuch
as the Omaha delegation Is divided on de
tails of the charter It is now the duty OF
the members Of the house to do what they
think is best for the welfare OF the city
and therefore the state. Some OF the mem
bers are beginning to realize that for them
to carry out the orders OF Ransom and
Howell will make the fire and police de-
I partments OF Omaha political foot balls.
These members who have the good of the
/ city at heart realize that the floating vote
/ OF Omaha, the votes controlled by the class
OF people less interested in the welfare OF
/ the city than in their own welfare would
elect the board
These members who favor temperance
! legislst stion and who are not in favor Of BE-
I ing the means by which Omaha is to take
/ a backward step are considering the mat
\ ter very seriously and for that reason the
Omaha charter has become quite a live is
sue.
At the present time the police board OF
Omaha is appointed by the governor and
many members of the house realize that
the board appointed is generally com
posed of higher class OF men than
would be elected
! The fact that the World Herald sent
down representative 10, crack the whip
over the house members has not helped
the charter. The world-HeraId attempted
10 organize the house and denounced edi-
torially a portion Of the organization and
to attempt now TO dictate what the leg1s-
lature shall do has not helped very much
at this writing.
For the present the charter will be held
up and used as a club TO swat Senator
Ransom and Senator Howell every time
they swat the anti-corporation bills OF the
house members. The senator's will have
to make a choice between the charter and
their corporation interests.
Howell Dictates story.
The story OF the Omaha charter bill
published in the World Herald tomorrow
morning should be interesting for it Was
dictated by Senator Howell
The senator, after talking With the
editor OF the world-Hsrald. came back
10 a reporter from another paper and
said:
Il have Just been talking to Newbranch
and he said to tell you 10 write up the
charter bill just as tell it TO you"
When in formed that he was talking to
the wrong reporter Mr.. Howell remarked
few words and hustled out after the rep
resentative Of the demo-pop sheet
Amend south Omaha Charter.
} Henry Murphy and a delegation from
South Omaha appeared before the commit
tee on cities and towns OF the house this
, afternoon and secured the adoption OF the
following amendment to the South Omaha
charter bill
The mayor and council shall have power
! by ordinance 70 regulate. TO fix rentals
and rates; to fix maximum and minimum
pressure and the character OF the suppl
Of water flowing through all mains within
the corporate limits OF such city. and they
shall also be empowered 10 provide within
said ordinances for the imposition OF fines
and forfeitures for the failure on tie part
comply with the provisions OF such regula-
tiOns as set forth in such ordinance.
House Democrats to Caucus.
once more the democrats of the house
will Try to get together and provide for
peace and harmony for the balance Of the
session. The caucus is set for Friday night
and right jolly time is promised. Thougi
there remains only twenty days OF this ses-
sion far as the house is concerned. thers
has been nothing done. All the bills are
now In that can possibly help Governor
shallenberger build up his political ma
chine and the democrats Of the house have
begun TO realize that is about all that mas
been done. The Carnegie pension fund mat
ter is a nightmare because the only argu-
ment so far offered against II Is that Ar
Bryan himself does not want the bill tc
= pass. Then there is the Initiative and ref
srendum still up in the air somewhere and
, Sunday base ball. something the Omaha
: delegation promised their constituents. il
J. so weak it cannot stand alone Then county
i option has 10 be discussed behind closed
, doors and several other matters which IA.
8 democrats are pretty badly worried about
d The sitting COMMITTEES Is also 10 be dis
e eussed. Hence the caucus Friday night.
water Board 40 the FrOnt.
Z Boland Of Douglas Is going 20 give the
s Water board OF Omaha all the assistance
g he can 20 get out OF mix-up IL has ere
e ated for itself and the people Of Omaha
i He has introduced a bill In the houss
n which. among other amendments II makes
n 20 the present Law. provides that th,
n board may compromise any litigation 81
d which il is interested and that IL snail
e have the right 10 grant a franchise f0i
+ the conduct OF water plant 20 any per
Il son or corporation FOR a period 0f no
J. more than twenty-five years
The dsmocratfc house. ueuahara wenf ou