Omaha daily bee., 1910-05-01
Governor Shsllenberger Will Act if
Bryan Comes with Written
Pledges from Members.
STATEMENT is GIVEN TO PUBLIC
Must Say Will Vote for Initiative
and Referendum.
EXECUTIVE HAS FAVORED PLAN
Gives Chance to Dispose of the
Liquor Question.
REQUEST MANDATE OF PEOPLE
Democrats Mt sea over the
Turn Affairs Have Taken
within the Past Few
Must Say Will Vote for Initiative
and Referendum.
EXECUTIVE HAS FAVORED PLAl
MANDATE OF PEOPLE
UIr0m a staff Correspondent)

l+rum staff Correspondent)
LINCOLN, April 3O.-(Special )-Governor
shallenberger will call an extra session of
the state legislature. providing MIR. Bryan
brings to him a written pledge from three
fifths Of the members that they will vote
for the initiative and referendum This
the governor said in a statement issued
late this afternoon.
Governor Shallenberger held back his
statement until after o'clock, waiting for
the appearance Of a committee from he
Direct Legislation league, which had made
an appointment to call upon him and urge
action.
The chairman Of the committee, George
Woods, of a commercial agency, telephoned
that ne was unable - get his committee
together.
The statement issued by Governor Shall
enberger is follows:
The governor said that the subject OF
calling an extra session of the legislature
had not recently been brought to his at
tention, nor had he known Of MIR. Bryan's
views upon it prior to it's publication in the
press of yesterday.
THE question of an extra session is one
involving considerable expense to the state
and demand upon the time of the mem
bers at a busy season OF the year. and
should only be considered by reason Of an
extraordinary demand for such a session
or because of an extraordinary occasion.
Some months ago the question was brought
before me and l consulted with many mem
bers of both houses of the Legislature upon
the matter. After mature consideration at
the time 1 issued a statement and deter
minted that 1t would not be possible to
pass a bill to submit the Initiative and
referendum amendment to the people IL
convened the legislature in extra session,
as the poll showed the number of votes
required by our constitution could not be
secured In favor of such amendment at
that time"
Things Have Changed.
Things may have changed since then,
but notice of it has not come to this
office"
Commenting upon Mr.. Bryan's letter to
the members of the legislature regarding
an extra session, the governor said:
Il have always favored the principle NJ
the initiative and referendum, because
matters such as the liquor question which
are OF such nature that party lines are but
little considered in their solution, can best
be voted upon in this manner. 1t is also
a fundamental democratic principle that
Legislation should be brought as closely
home to the people as possible. OF course
the necessary constitutional three-fifths Of
the members of each house should Indicate
In writing that they would support an
initiative and referendum amendment SINH
lar to the one that passed the house last
session, then l would take this written
request as a mandate from the people OF
the state and would convene the legislature
in special session for the purpose OF sub
mitting such an amendment to the voters
of the state.
Il do not know what replies Mr.. Bryan
has received to his letter sent out TO the
several members of the legislature 1t is
doubtless too early for him to have heard
from many OF them. Without a platform
pledge to solidify party spirit and to hold
men in line It is difficult to get men on
party to agree upon a particular bill as
important as this matter now under con-
sideration."
Spirit of Unrest.
There was a spirit of unrest here all dur
! iEg the day This may have been due,
however, TO a presentment that at any
moment the Peerless Leader might move
in to take charge of the affairs OF state.
! All because Mr.. Bryan hopes to keep
the democratic party from taking a stand
on the liquor question in Nebraska. AS a
savior he demanded that the governor call
! the legislature in extra session and force
the submission Of the initiative and refer
endum
| Quick to respond to the call of the ex
ecLtive was Arthur Mullen this morning
| The keeper Of the executive condolences
had been asleep at the switch during the
absence of the governor, or he may have
prevented that Bryan command. And yet
he advocates the extra session now.
And then on his heels there came LabOr
Commissioner Maupin, and he too, favors
the extra session.
Then there came w. H. Taylor, repre-
sentative from Hitchcock county, who.
though noncommttal. said he probably
would be in New Jersey when the session
is called attending a Presbyterian meeting
10 which he is a delegate.
Senator Laverty was next, but It Is not
of record that he conferred with the chief
executive. Mr.. Laverty was incensed with
bunch OF alleged republicans here in Lin
coin who are endeavoring to commit the
party to the extra session. 1T is none Of
my affair" said the senator. Let the
democrats fight It out"
Hunting Place 20 Land,
Judge Good came along in the afternoon,
! but what he had to say was said only to
the governor and Arthur Mullen,
! Appointees OF the governor and others
secuted around during the night and today
trying to find out just what would be the
proper thing TO do 10 save the party, the
/ governor and Mr., Bryan's political dignity,
Adjutant General Hartgan II he con
! ferred at all with the governor advised
! him TO cut loose and refuse TO obey the
commands OF any man.
The scenery had been set for the ap-
pearance OF Mayor Love at the head OF
committee from the so-called Direct Legis-
laton league TO advise the governor. but
for some reason the committee failed 10