Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-18
NEBRASKA rnEss COMMENT.

Il GHEANMNAthu NLNNlANNs -
get what they want from the legislature
this winter the state house grounds will be
covered with new buildings. 10 say nothing
Of the state fair grounds and other suburbs.
Albion Argus; All we ask of the lesisls-
ture is to fulfil the campaign pledges ana
do Il promptly, be economical In appropriS-
| tlons. don't act foolish nor vindictive' get
through as soon ss possible and then ad-
journ whether the time is out or not
Albion Republican: To a man up a tree
II appears that there will be several brands
OF democracy in the legislature this winter
| There will be tho Bryan democrats the
corporation democrats and then, the all
wool and a yard wide democrats. The lat
ter, however, will be alarmingly scarce.
North Platte Tribune. That oft-referred-
10 campaign for the removal Of the state
capital TO Grand Island will begin just as
soon as some one at Lincoln-or
suggests an appropriation OF several nun
dred thousand to repair the capitol build
ing. And this campaign will not prove a
joke.
Kearney Era-standard: II is to be hoped
that the county option question Will not In
any respect be influenced by the selection
~ the chief Officers OF the two legislative
| EOnina at I1nCOlns AHnN 10
should be determined upon Its merits after
a full and free discussion during the ses-
sion.
~sprinefIe,d Monitor: The anti-lobby law
passed by the last legislature will soon be
put TO a practical test. 1t seems. now
ever. that when II comes to the test 1t Is
most too radical and that 1t will either
cut lobbying out altogether, or some way
| III - a.-l a. n.raAA tho law. SO IaF
there has been no rush OF lobbyists to reg
lister as the law requires.
North Platte Tribune: There was one
plank in the state democratic platform
which the democratic Legislature should
not disregard. namely, the establishment
Of an agricultural school in the west part
Of the state. The Board CT Regents of the
University of Nebraska nave expressed
themselves as in favor OF such an institu-
ton and the legislature should see mat an
appropriation for such Is made,
Beatrice Express: Governor Sheldon comes
out for statewide prohibition in his mes
sage, accordingly recommending that an
amendment to the constitution be submitted
to the people. This advice the democratic
legislature will Of course neglect to follow.
II the retiring governor had thought to
take a stand for statewide prohibition
two years ago, when the legislature was
republican and in harmony with him, there
might have been a chance for the success
OF such a proposition.
Central City Republican: 1t looks like
old times to see Frank Ransom. the Omaha
lawyer and pIug-ugly, back on the floor
of the senate in Lincoln. Ransom Is the
democratic leader, and he will not take
LONE a., abouip1 uhara ha ata nda Reform
legislation will get it in the neck every
time Ransom has a chance to land a blow,
and II many Of the provisions Of the demo-
cratic platform are carried out in good
faith 1t will be because Ransom was una
BILE to sidetrack them.
Rushville Standard: The present state
legislature will be called upon to make
many appropriations, among which will
be one for building a wins to the present
state capitol. We trust that the Legislature
will turn a deaf ear to this appeal. Some-
time-in the near future-we will be In
shape to build a new structure, when we
will all be sorry we threw away money
to add to the old, which will always be
an eyesore to the proud state OF Nebraska.
II 1t is necessary to add something. do It
right, even IL it does cost more. Better
NbNS NA"A 1880 HNA~S
thing that is not worth patching.
Schuyler Free Lance: II there Is any
place where there should be nCn-partisar
ism 1t is in our state institutions, but you
don't hear the democrats yelling for non
partisan appointments there, as Shaiien-
berger continues to remove all republicans
and appoint democrats. That non-partisan
howl only comes when a republican COVER
rnr haa Fn,tr rnnr,haro ~ thn ave
bench to appoint and the democrats want
half the appointees. And our state insu-
tutions should be non-partisan before the
courts are, from the very nature OF tho
institutions. But that non-partisan cry OF
the democrats is like this regulation how
for reform and only comes when hey arr
out and use the howl on the other fellow
They are an inconsistent bunch for sure
Beatrice Sum-: According to the Nebraska
law, hc.ore a lobbyist can ply his artful
trade In the capital city he must take Out
a license; that is. he must enroll with the
secretary of state his name and the names
} Of the soulless corporations for which he
works. He gets a permit OF license much
like the hunters license that the game
warden issues. The open season for legts-
lative game is sixty days, beginning at the
first of the year. The use of smokeless
powder, more han three hooks on one line
and decoys is forbidden. and no hunter
holding a state license is permitted TO havt
more than seventeen legislators in his
possession at any one time. This law will
operate to protect inexperienced Legislators
from the arts and traps of experienced
trappers.
Albion News: There should be a board
Of pardons to pass on cases where there
may be good reasons for extending elem
ency TO convicted offenders OF the law
One man, although he be governor, should
not have the power TO contravert the juds'
ment Of the trial court and twelve juror
who hear all the evidence, 1t is a farce 4
, expend thousands of dollars Of the peoples
money to bring violators OF the law e
justice and give them a fair and impartia
trial, and then have one man who is en-
tirely unacquainted with the facts and
qualifying conditions brush II all aside be
cause Of sentimental sympathy, or pressure
brought to bear by Influential interests. A
psrdoning board consisting OF three or five
competent citizens OF the state, serving
without compensation the same as the
regents OF our university, would be a much
[ better plan. They could be depended upor
, to grant relief where there was any goot
and sufficient reason, and would be much
less liable 10 be sWayed by sentiment OF