Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-06
LEADING MEN OF The SESSION
Each House Has Some Leaders Who
Already Rank High.
COUNTY OPTION FIGHT IN HOUSE
Lower body WIZ Ne scene of Fire
works over This Issue--wets and
Drys Bach Have some strong
Champions.


| LINCOLN, Jan. Especial. 1.-The matter
OF floor leadership has not been formally
| determined in either house OF the legisla-
| ture and may not be, Tor either party
republican or democratic-or either faction
wet or dry. So far the vets and drys
are concerned, while the line OF demarka-
ton is distinctly enough drawn, the general
belief is that what fighting occurs over
county option will come In the house and
that by the time the bill or bills reach
the senate they will simply be disposed of
on formal vote
When IT comes to leadership in the SEN
ate. Albert of Platte and Tibbets of Adams
are sure to occupy prominent positions on
the democratic side, and It so happens that
they are both Identified with the wet ele-
ment, but they are not rantankerousy wet.
Nothing like as wet, for instance, as Tan
ner of Douglas and Volpp of Dodge. These
two are really too wet to make good lead
ers, even for that faction. On the subject
OF wet leaders in the house, Prince Of Hall
and Haller of Washington are counted on
to set the pace. Prince will have to be
reckoned' with on general principles. for he
is a strong man and a good debater, clear
and foroeful. Haller's experience on both
sides of the building will stand him in
good stead and besides he is natural
fighter. Both these are republicans.
Able Men to Fore.
Numerically, at least, the balance Of
power in leadership is with the drys. Both
democrats and republicans have some able
men. 1t is believed that the general aver
age Of intellectually is upheld in both
houses and that it probably is a little above
par in the senate. Douglas county is not
In the senate Horton, some believe, may
show good form. Reagan must prove his
case, for he is new Tanner does his work
quietly, learned two years ago.
The republicans have a sort OF tacit I'M
derstanding in the house that Evans of
Adams county will be their floor leader.
He would IL the precedent Of comforting
that honor upon the defeated candidate for
speaker were followed and there is a dis
position to follow it. Evans stood for the
speakership nomination. Mockett of Ian
caster, by experience and fitness too,
would challenge the claims of any other
to the position, but 1t is doubtful IL he as
pires to it. He made a very forceful
speaker in 1903 and has always been effec~
tive in debate, both in the senate and
the house. Anness Of Otoe is another con-
spicuous republican, who is being counted
on for leading parts. He was offered the
chance to run for speaker, but declined it.
Bushee Of Kimball will be active, especially
in matters pertaining to the western part
Of the state and may develop considerable
leadership caliber for that section.
In the Senate.
Ned Brown Of Lancaster undoubtedly win
take a front seat in republican councils in
he nd will ~ Tdnaolp
county, who represents seventeen counties.
Brown, however, may be looked to as the
chosen leader. Undoubtedly Peter Jansen
OF Gage will be heard from In this connec-
ton. tbo. ~ 49,.
J -Four men stand out rather prominently
among the democrats in the senate-Al-
bert, Oils of Valley Tibbets and More
head of Richardson-that is so far as
leadership powers go. Tibbets all things
considered, may be the most conspicuous.
He is resourceful and keen and quick and
well liked; Albert might at that have some
advantage over him but for slight deaf
ness that handicaps him in debate, in which
he Is otherwise effective. Oils is regarded
as a safe and effective man, but OF the
judicial temperament. Morehead is the
president pro tenn, but will be active in
debate, no doubt.
Democratic Leaders.
Quackenbush of Nemaha the defeated
asprant fer speaker; GeTdes OF Richard
son, the oldest member in point Of service,
and W. z. Taylor OF Hitchcock are the
three conspicuous democratic leaders in the
house The first and last would lead
whether called on or not and Gerdes, being
reliable in Judgment and highly esteemed
by his colleagues, will be looked 20 a great
deal, no doubt. Taylor and ouackenbush
are both fighters and may be counted on
for bell wethers to the last. Taylor is
likely to father the reapportionment bill
and thus take the lead in the biggest fight
of the session. That, of itself. will throw
him into the thick.
OF course. there must be some dark
horses" who will develop strength as
leaders, some possibly as strong as any
mentioned, but these named are regarded
as among the most prominent.
Jobs FOR TWO OMAHA MEN