Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-10-15
BREES ADMITS HIS DEFEAT
South Omaha Annexation Question is
Brought to Hitch.
TOO MANY NAMES WITHDRAWN

city Attorney Murphy and Assistant
seek TO Withdraw 227 Names and
Protest Right of others
BreeR shows Fight.
Defeat Of the proposition 10 submit TO the
voters at the November election the ques-
ton OF annexation Of South Omaha to
Omaha was admitted by J. p. Breen, rep
resentauve Of the annexauonists, Friday
afternoon. after he had hurriedly scanned
the list Of Withdrawals from the South
Omaha annexation petition, the Withdrawals
having been secured and filled with the
board of county commissioners by City
Attorney Murphy OF South Omaha, and
other opponents of the annexation.
Brecn said he would go on and thor
oughly canvass the withdrawal list with
tho county commissioners special com
mlttee and the representatives Of the anti
annexauonists, but said he considered It
merely "a formauty.
Il will go over the names and then throw
up my hands" he said
Breen said II is improbable that the an
nexationists will make a campaign to Sc
cure names 10 replace those which have
been Withdrawn, though II this could be
done and the number Of registered names
on the petition could DO raised to the re-
quired 10 per cent Of all the registered
voters by fourteen days before the election
Of November S, the petition still would be
valid and the question would have TO be
submitted.
81 don't think we could get enough
names" said Breen. I'VE got all that
could be got"
Withdrawals Are Filed.
Withdrawals Of 227 slgners Of the South
Omaha petition for submission Of the prop
osuon Of annexation at the November
general election were filed with the Board
OF County Commissioners by City Attorney
Murphy and Assistant city Attorney Win
ters Of South Omaha Friday morning, just
before the board met to hold hearing on
the validity OF the petition.
Murphy and Winters also filed an affi-
daVt Of the city clerk of South Omaha
that of the COL names on the South Omaha
petition q are names of men who are not
registered voters Of that city when the
board met J. z. Breen, representing the
petitioners, raised the question Of the right
| to withdraw signers of the petition and
demanded continuance of the hearing 30
that he might have time to investigate the
report that many signers of the petition
are not registered
After two hours wrangling II was agreed
that committee of the Board of County
| Commissioners should investigate both
matters and report at an adjourned sitting
next Tuesday at 10 a. m. IL was further
agreed that the committee should check
over the Withdrawals at p. M. Friday.
Ihirty-five or forty South Omaha and
] Omaha men interested in the annexation
! fight were present when the board was
called to order by Chairman Commissioner
| Bruning who announced the purpose Of
| the meeting.
The opponents of annexation have just
filed an affidavit of the South Omaha city
clerk to the effect that 215 names on the
South Omaha petition are not those of
registered voters" said Breen. They also
file Withdrawals Of 227 signers.
Breen Makes stand.
Now, our petition carries COL names
| The law requires 10 per cent of the voters.
| We got these names, figuring that the
total of registered voters was 4951. That
total, however, is the total after the re-
vision in South Omaha. Since this petition
must be based on the registry before the
revision which was 1901, only 495 names
are required to make our petition valid.
But, even at that, If their charges that
over 200 names are unregistered are true,
the petition must be invalid. and IL these
Withdrawals can be considered and re,
moved from the petition, it must be In
valid l doubt If they can withdraw.
Now, we should like some time In which
to investigate these matters" Commits
sioner Bedford promptly declared himself
[ IN Of
man Commissioner Bruning made similar
expression. City Attorney Murphy took
the floor and, with flashing eyes and EN-.
phatic gestures declares that this was the
time set for hearing on the validity of the
petition and the hearing should be had al
this time.
I'VE filled our protest and objections
eight days ago." he said. They have
had time to prepare their case. We have
prepared ours. One side got busy and pre-.
pared for the hearing and is ready for II
The other has set sullenly by and now want.
more time. Why did they not check up the
books in the South Omaha city's clerks Of
flee? They knew what the charges were
Why didn't they get ready TO refute them,
We are doing nothing underhand South
Omaha always is candid ana honest. We
don't want this matter delayed. It might
as we'll be settled now, but we are wiIlnr
to abide by the boards decision. Wei
bring the books right here. now-within al
hour-for you to canvass"
I'VE could do nothing" said Breen. ''You
didn't challenge a single name"
Says Every Name Was Fought.
I'VE challenged every name" answered
Assistant City Attorney Winters.
Mr.. Breen asked few days continuanc,
and suggested that the board name a com
mittee to investigate charges regarding reg
istration and the Withdrawals.
Commissioner Trouton called on DEPUTY
County Attorney Magney foI an Opinior
regarding the right Of a petitioner to with.
draw from petition.
Magney said he had looked the matter VI
and had found that petitioners may with
draw any time before the board acts on tn
petition.
! Commissioner Pickard moved that tn
chairman name committee to Investigate
both matters and report next Tuesday a
10 a. m II was carried unanimously. Chair