The Columbus journal., 1911-01-11

and his bugle call revcrbera:sd through
out the state and the dormant energies
o. NcbrisxaS citizenship were thor
"uShiy aroused Men and women OF all
religious creeds and poiitica! beliefs re-
Sponded and or November Sth they wrote
i'll living. burning words: The people
must rule: decent government shall pre-
vail: GebaGchery and lawiessneSS shall
feel the strong hand of the Law.
Thus did Nebraska come forth from
that conflict purified and enOb!ed. Her
patriotism made stronger and more en-
during b. the ritual observance OF the
fundamental principles OF representative
government.
The people decided also on November
Sth last that they do not want this pres
cnt legislature 10 play politics. They did
no; permit republican governor TO have
4 republican majority in the legislature.
Neither did they give Il democratic ma
jority "A democratic governor. And "a re-
publican governor will not Permit this
democratic majority to work ut demo
cratic politics. The plain lesson OF the
recent election is: Frame and pass Il
few laws beneficial to all the people. then
adjourn and save the peoples money.
Let ;:S hope that this distribution OF
power between the two parties will work
out for the general good Of the entire
STATE. The situation. after all. may be
fortunate. because We meet here. in
sense. not as republicans and democrats
seeking Il party advantage by enactinS
laws TO p-rpetua:e one .~rty or the
that higher and greater plane. to-wit. as
American citizens. to transact some scri-
oCs business for our fellows And if We
enter upon or business earnestly and
vigorously we Will easily have finished
by March 1st.
This can h. accomplished il each MEM
Der goes seriously about his duties and
turns Il deaf ear TO the pernic:ous lobby
list.
But il is expecting too much to even
hope for this legislature TO escape alto
gctner the arts and insidious wiles Of
the corrupt lobbyist. l do not wish in
this connection. however. to be under
stood as being opposed to have business
interests properly represented by decent
agents acting in proper manner. But
do say that when the county option
measure and the initiative and reSeren-
dunn comes up for consideration. if the
members Of this legislative body will CO.
operate with me. the liquor trust lobby
will find the city of Lincoln too hot for
now thai there is already organized 4
powerful combination financed and
hacked by the brewery trust Of this state
To- defeat direct legislation. The recent
election has taught them nothing. And
sly TO the people Of the several leGis-
latiye districts OF this state. that II any
enc Of your representatives is no; acting
right or is supporting an initiative and
referendum measure that has a joker in
i or so framed as to b.. Impractical. that
he ~ representing the brewericS and not
Npti- Any private interest mat Seeks 10
defeat county option and the initiative
and referendum ought II he held u? TO
public sc,Cn. II the recent election has
any ore lesson more emphatic ;han an
other that lesson is tina; the people
must rule. and he who is opposed 20 d.
rect legislation is opposed tn the People
All parties are pledged 90 submit an
initiative and referendum measure. Then
there cnn be no question about such 4
measure eoirC through. But there I!lay
l,e serious doubts rs 10 the proper kind
% Il law On this subject The fact tina.
We are ali pledged 20 enact such a law
carries with IL the promise tn enact a
fair. honest and effective measure. One
that in all OF its details will give the
yeCple the benefits OF its principles and
virtues And in this matter ~" are not
left in the dark as II what should he
done for several Of our sister states
have adopted this kind of legislation. and
Let us hop. that no EIucr iutercs: VIII
Re strong enough to impose Impossible or
imrracticaI conditions in the adoption 81
the initiative and referendum. And here