Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-21
THOUSAND AT BRYAN DINNER
Nebraska Democrats Assemble to Pay
Honor to Leader.
PROMINENT PARTY MEN ATTEND
Speeches Made by senator owen, John
w. Kern, Congressman Champ
Clark, }. A. Mcguire, Governor
shafrOth and Others.
(From a staff Correspondent.

LINCOLN, March 29.-(Special)-One
thousand democrats were entertained at
the Bryan birthday celebration tonight
The dollar dinner was given at the Audi
torium and arrangements were made to
serve a menu to an overflow crowd in the
Lindel hotel.
The distinguished guests arrived early
and were shown around the city by re-
cepuon committee this afternoon.
Ex-Governor Schallsnberger was invited
to be present. but did not attend. The
program was arranged as follows
Lincoln Bryan club-9. W. Meier. prssi-
dent.
Tnvooauon1 Rud5iPh Caughay.-
Toastmaster-Dr. Philip l.. Hall
Progressive Democracy in the Nebraska
State Senate'--senator c, NJ. skiles
Progressive Legislation in the Nebraska
se'-Representative f. b. Quacken-
bush.
Mr. Bryan at Home'-Congressman John
A. Mcguire.
Mr.. Bryans Connection with Nebraska
Politics"-W H. Thompson
Election OF Senators by the People
Senator G. NJ. Hitchcock
Mr.. Bryan VS.. Special interests
Richard l.. Metcalfe
Initiative and observation-disclosures
John f. shafroth of Colorado.
The Tarifr'-Senator John w. Kern.
"Arizona'-Senator Robert L. owen.
'Cannonism Overthrown'-Congr
Champ Clark
Address-W. J. Bryan
Governor shafrOth's Speech.
Governor Shafroth of Colorado devoted
himself to praise Of the initiative and ref
ore arr
of the principle and giving the experience
of Colorado and of other states
Under the initiative and referendum
law" said the governor the legislator no
longer becomes the important parsonage
upon whose vote nightly questions are de-
termined and consequently the great cor
porate interests no longer, by direction or
| indirection, will seek to influence his vote
| The mighty power then is transferred to
the people and the great interests must
present measures which the people believe
/ are right in order TO get them ratified
| by the referendum vote There are provis-
| ions in most of the constitutions OF the
states OF the Union which throw restric-
! tons upon the actions OF legislative bodies
! in order to prevent the passage OF laws
contrary to the wishes OF the people. The
! courts OF our land have generally con,
strued strictly these constitutional pro-
I visions. even when the law enacted is a
/ good measure. The tendency OF the courts
upon the constitutional provisions. in my
| judgment, would be greatly modified II the
same measures were submitted TO the peo-
pie for their direct approval or rejection.
The sanctity OF the vote OF the people
upon a measure would even effect the
I judiciary in the construction of laws and
| constitutional provisions
The initiative and referendum laws are
no longer experiments nine states in the
union have adopted the same. The whole
some legislation passed by the city which
first adopted these measures Is extending
now to nearly all OF the cities Of the union
and have the greatest confidence that
these great reform measures will be
adopted by the people Of the state OF Ne
braska at the next general election. In nv
judgment the highest consideration OF good
government demands the passage Of these
measures
owen LaudE Arizona.
Senator owen in his speech eulogized
Arizona and its constitution. lie said in
part:
Arizona, may she live long and prosper,
And her government will live long and her
people will prosper, because they have built
the foundation OF government upon a stone
and not upon the sand.
They have established a constitution
providing FOR the rule OF the people.
through the initiative the referendum. the
recall, Under this rule, the people OF Ari-
zona can never be long dissatisfied with
their own government because their gov
ernment is IN thellsown hands In such sim
pie fashion that they can by the easiest
process amend any error which shall be
discovered SUCH a government Is safe
against conspiracv, against oligarcny,
against corruption and fraud, which have
hOneyeombed and undermined the founda-
Continued on second PaFe)