Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-06-20
Nebraska
Capital Removal
Question Argued
Kearney's Position in the Present
Agitation Explained-POints
to Be Considered.

KEARNEY, Neb., June 19.--Te THE editor
Of the Bee: Comment on the recent excur-
sion Of Kearney Commercial club boost
ers'' to central Nebraska towns has shown
that Kearneys position on the question OF
capital removal has been somewhat mis-
understood. and should be made clear.
While the present agitation originated at
Kearney, the purpose Is, not to boom that
city for the new capitol OF Nebraska, but
to organize for such action as will permit
the people of the state, before a new build
ing is constructed. to decide by vote
whether they desire to build it in a corner
of the state or in some city more CEN
trally located, and II in the opinion OF the
people who pay the bills, more central
location seems desirable, let them select
the city.
When Lincoln was chosen as the capital
of Nebraska, that town was not the CEN
ter Of the states population, but marked
almost the extreme western limit of set
Element at that time, the territory west
being then an undeveloped wilderness. As
one reason for locating the capital on the
then western boundary OF civilization it
was rightly argued that development would
move westward. The center of population
veopment continues, and will continue in
central and Western Nebraska, and the
center of population moves, ad will con-
tinue to move steadily westward. This
development entities the people of central
and western Nebraska to consideration, and
it cannot be denied that the interests of
the majority demand that the capitol be
moved westward. The basis for this argu-
ment will grow stronger as the years 20
by. Moving the capital would assist ma
terially In further development Of the stale
as a whole a result for which every public
spirited citizen is striving, and for which
the state association of commercial clubs
will ask a large appropriation of the next
legislature.
The present capital building is almost
a wreck, and very soon must be rebuilt,
or a new one be constructed. The finances
OF the state are now in shape to build.
The construction OF a new building will fix
the location for all time. Then let the peo-
pie of the whole state decide whether the
location shall be as at present, in cor
ner of the state, with the center OF popu-
lation moving steadily away from it, or at
more central point which in few years
will be and will continue to be near the
center of population. Now Is the time to
decide.
Those Interested in keeping the capital
where 1t is, tell us that state capitals are
seldom moved. Even If this were true it
might be added to shed further light on
the subject, that capital buildings seldom
fall in pieces. Had the present capital
building been honestly constructed 1t would
not have been for many years past dis
grace and shame to the state, and there
would be no necessity for a new building
at this time. But Lincoln people are unani-
nous in the demand for new building,
which destroys the force OF the precedent
which they quote, The judgment of pro-
gressive westerners is more affected by
common sense than by precedents
This is not contest between the city
where the capital now Is and other cities
which want the prize, though certain in
terests in the present capital city seem to
SO regard the matter. Lincoln oes a debt
to the state far in excess Of what the
state owes Lincoln, and cities as such,
including the city which now has the capt.
tai and those which desire it. have no
rights in the matter. Neither is it a mat
ter of politics nor matter affected m any
way by the possession or lack Of Pharisa-
ical civic righteousness, newly acquired.
for years and will continue to grow until
settled by the construction of q new build
| ing 1t is q matter which belongs to the
| people of the whole state, and is theirs to
decide. What reason can any city urge
| for denying the people their right2 Then
| let there be a popular vote on location be-
| fore any appropriation is made to repair
the present building or to construct a new
one. Let the majority rule, and let the de-
cision OF the tax payers be final; and II
the people decide to build q new capital
| In the extreme corner of the state where
the old wreck now is. let the building be
constructed at once, and let 1t be in keep
ing it'll the proud position which Nebraska
! occupies among the states. But II the YER
dict be that the location should be more
central let the people also decide which
OF the aspiring cities is most suitable, and
let there be no unnecessary delay.
Kearney deeply appreciates the friendship
| and loyalty OF many sister cities, but asks
| no favors. Just at present II Is asked Al
| the due OF the state as whole that sup
| port be directed toward the exertion OF al
possible influence on candidates for tbs
| appropriation viii be made by the legis.
lature for q new building OF for extensive
| repairs 10 the old, until the people are al
lowed to vote fairly and freely on location
1t is up to the people to see to 1t that the
| legislators represent them in this particu
lar. WILLARD +. BAILEY,
| Member OF Inter-cities Committee.
|