Omaha daily bee., 1910-07-02
IGH SCHOOL BUILDING LOST
Proposition Included $4,000 Il
bonds for New Structure, $780,
900 for Park aud $4,000
for Sewers.
fFron a staff Correspondent)

LINCOLN, Neb., July L-(special)-rhe
defeat Of the bond issue here yesterday
has called forth many explanations Of the
vote cast. The proposed bond issue in
ciuded t3l5.OO0 for high school building
100000 for the extension of Antelope park
and the purchase OF Lincoln park, and
5000 for the extension Of the sewer
system.
Lincoln never witnessed a harder fight
for = proposition than was put up Tor
favorable action on the bonds. For weeks
a crowd OF boosters had been holding
meetings in the churches. preaching save
the children" the duty of mothers" and
"a bigger Lincoln" big mass picnic was
held at Lincoln park which was addressed
by an Imported city beautifier, Horace Nc
Farland a relative OF one of the boosters.
The newspapers denied space in certain
instances to those who desired to say
something in opposition to the bond issue
The boosters, who controlled a meeting
held at the Commercial club, denied speech
20 several who were known to be in oppo-
eition to the proposition. Then as final
blow the papers announced that the fight
was between the "wets" and the "drys
and those who opposed the bonds were
vets" The boosters had the lower floor
OF the Ganter building for a headquarters
and conducted the fight from there.
The explanation offered for the vote, by
the morning paper here said 1t was due to
the ''wets" being sore" because saloons
were voted out. The Star sized up those
who voted against the bonds in this way:
Note who are knocking on the bond
vote. Are thev not the chronic kckers the
tax dodgers. the grumblers. the men who
have lost the rent OF some shanty for
ha uhn N
residence in some other town to avoid city
taxes or the men who said the town was
going to the dogs because it abolished sa-
looms and who want their prophecy to come
trueg The boosters are not among the OPP
ponehts,"
High school Building.
The high school building was to have
been located on what is known as the Dav-
export tract of land In East Lincoln, far
removed from the center Of population. In
a referendum vote taken by newspaper
here last winter only very small per
cent of the voters indicated that they con-
sidered IL fit place for the school. though
man yadmitted were the school loca ted
there. It would stimulate the sale Of lots.
OF the 100000 park bonds, $4,000 was &c
be used In an extension of Antelope park
and as much as necessary Of the other SJ0
zoe was TO be USED LOT the purchase Ol LIN
coin park. The general impression pre-
vailed, and with some reason, that the 'a'
much as necessary meant $4,000 for Lin
coin uark This park is frequently flooded
and rendered unfit for park or other pur
poses Some time ago when Dr. Winnet
established a smallpox camp there, 1
rained and Il became necessary for the pa
tients TO be removed in boats. This lanC
was formerly owned by former Chief o
Police Cooper and he used 1t solely 10 &c
his Ice supply. He sold 1t for $500 to it
spresent owners. or 10 those who sold it 4
the present owners
Considerable money was spent by booster
in worl,ing for the bond issue and this ere
ated some suspicion.
Another reason pointed out for rejeetio
fthe park bonds was that Lincoln has a
Il street park off OF which the weeds hav
not been cut FOR years and no improve
ments made In IL, while on A street ther
IS a nice little park which has been pei
mitted to grow up in weeds. In fact, tn
city, though given permission to do so, ha
never placed seats and benches on tn
state house lawn. which would make ar
other park for the benefit Of the citizens.
In ansrsr to the criticism that the "wets
defeated the bond issue 1t VAS pointed OF
that former Mayor Brown, who is oppose
20 prohibition was one OF the prlncipi
boosters. while DR.. Whnett one of til
principal "drys," was opposed to III
Issue OF bonds.