Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-06

that conflict purified and enobled. Her pa
triotism made stronger and more enduring
by the ritual observance OF the funda-
mental principles of representative gov
eminent
THE people decided also on November
sth last that they do not want this present
legislature to play politics. They did not
permit a republican governor to have a
republican majority in the legislature.
Neither did they give a democratic ma
iority a democratic governor. And a
republican governor win not permit ths
democratic majority to work at demo-
cratic politics. The plain lesson of the re-
cent election Is; Frame and pass a few
laws beneficial to all the people, then ad-
iourn and save the peoples money.
Let us hope that this distribution OF
power between the two parties will work
out for the general good Of the entire
state. The situation after ell may be for
tunate because we meet here In q sense
not as republicans and democrats seeking
a party advantage by enacting laws 10
perpetuate one party or the other in power
but rather we are met on that higher and
greater plain. towit. as American citizens
to transact some serious business for our
fellows And IA we enter upon our bust
ness. earnestly and vigorously we viii
easily have finished by March LIST.
This can be accomplished II each mem
Der goes seriously about his duties and
turns q deaf ear to the pernieious lobbyist
Look Oct for the Lobby,
But II is expecting too much to even
hope for this legislature TO escape alto
gether the arts and insiduous wiles Of the
, corrupt lobbyist 1 do not wish In this
connection, however, to be understood as
being opposed to have business interests
properly represented by decent agents act
ing in a proper manner But do say that
when the county option measure and the
initiative and referendum comes up for
consideration. II the members Of this legis-
IRtiye cody will cooperate with me, the
LIQUOR trust lobby will find the city Of
Lincoln toe hot for their personal health.
And l warn you now that there is already
organized a powerful combination financed
and back by the brewery trust of this
state to defeat direct legislation. The re-
cent election has taught them nothing
And i say to the people Of the several
legislative districts OF this state. that II
any one Of your representatives is not act
ing right or 10 supporting initiative and
referendum measure that has a Joker In
IL or so framed as 10 be impractical, that
he is representing the breweries and not
you. ANY private interest that seeks 10
defeat county option and the initiative and
referendum. ought to be held up to public
scorn. II the recent election has any one
lesson more emphatic than another that
lesson Ia that the people must rule, and
he who is opposed to direct legislation, ID
opposed 10 the people
"All parties are pledged to submit an
! nj
there can be no question about such
measure going through. But there may be
serious doubts as 70 the proper kind OF a
law on this subject The fact that we are
all pledged to enact such raw carries
with Il the promise TO enact q fair. honest
and effective measure. One that m all OF
its details viii give the people the benefit,
l., OF Its principles and virtues. And In THU
matter we are not left In the dark as &c
| what should be done for several OF our
sister states have adopted this kind Of
! legislation. and let us hope that no liquor
interest viii be strong enough 10 impose
/ impossible or Impractical conditions In the
adoption OF the initiative and referendum
And here permit me to observe that In
! voting amendments TO eur state constitu
tion, that a majority OF those voting for
or against said amendment, should deter
I hitAs NhN Reuo anu AhR7 carry the atnchu-
ment.
Initiative and County Option.
/ He who claims 20 be in favor OF the
initiative and referendum and at the same
I time Il opposed 70 county option must fail
10 either act IN good faith or 10 under
stand the initiative and referendum. We
are all pledged 20 direct legislation in Ia
broadcast and best sense then how car
we refuse to enact a county option
measure. which Is only one small detail
In direct legislation. County option was
the paramount issue in the recent cam
paien. Seventy-four out OF the ninety-twC
counties decided that the people and not
the breweries should rule. Then BY what
right can you refuse TO enact a counts
option law Let Us hope that you win not
The primary election law IN theory and
principle Is correct. In practice Il IL 9
vast Improvement over the old convention
system. The Nebraska primary law, be
fore Il was tinkered with by the politicians
was vastly better than Il was after Il bore
their finger marks. In one particular al
least this law should be put back where
/ h was, to-Wit: No party should be per