Omaha daily bee., 1911-01-06

mitted to help nominate another parties
candidates Our present primary law may
have to be overhauled, but with all its
faults It has had virtue enough to kill the
political boss and smash the cog wheel Of
corrupt machine politics. without doubt
this law is here to stay.
Control of the Cities.
I'm the case of large cities the great
problem is TO let the people, and not a
corrupt gang. run its government. AS
matters now stand very often a majority
is turned. by dishonest manipulation, into
a minority. City officials are too often the
employees and sympathising friends of
breweries and brothels and other Kindred
spirits. We suggest that this legislature
enact Jaw giving cities OF five thousand
OF more the right to adopt their own char
tiers without going to the legislature for
one This makes It possible for cities like
Omaha, Lincoln and other towns to adopt
Sreh a charter as The people want and no
charter could be forced upon the people
against the will OF the majority. Under
this system officials would become the em-
ployees OF the people and thus would be
brought about home rule in the truest and
best sense.
I'VE suggest this without going into de-
tail and hope Il viii receive the serious
consideration Of each member OF this legis-
lature
las matters now stand. our present form
Of municipal government is unbusinesslike
and works againFt true progress and checks
the best side Of city life because the best
men OF a great city rarely are in its employ.
There are many other matters of inn
/ portance that will or ought TO come up for
consideration in this session. but we shall
for anna fttf,,ra ftr,a thalr dt.a,,.
sion and II occasion requires shall from
time to time present them in the form of
message to the senate and house. But on
this occasion we cannot refrain from dis
eussing a few more subjects of vital inter-
est to the people of the state.
"One of these Is our state university and
normal schools. There is an important
problem for solution in the natter Of pro-
viding room for the constantly increasing
attendance at our state university. There
Is but one thing to be considered, and that
is what is the best thing for the university?
This is a cold blooded business matter and
should only be decided after a careful and
impartial investigation. In the long run
no cost is too great in pushing this mag
nificent seat Of learning to the front.
Election Laws.
THE election laws OF our state as they
apply to large cities should be amended in
some particulars and repealed in others.
The statute providing for voting machine
instead Of preventing fraud is an apt In
strument OF It. and should be repealed.
'In the recent election In Omaha electors
presented themselves at the polling places
with cards, said cards telling the Judge of
election how the bearer should vote The
| election Judge would work the levers. and
1 t.aa tafI h. oil
citizen he had voted and 70 get out and
make room for another government builder.
or to speak accurately government wreeker.
THE registration laws are also sources
OF fraud as illustrated at the last primary
| election in Omaha The city clerk would
attach mis- seal and name 20 certificates
and hand out said certificates to agents
who would go out on the streets. get his
voter. fin in the blank places and have his
TRUSTEES as witnesses.
This is one method Of preventing the
majority from ruling In a certain ward In
this metropolitan city there were nearly
three times as many votes cast as the CEN
sus shows there was male Inhabitants in
said ward.
''In the matter OF selecting iuries in large
cities the present statute is wholly inef-
fective and should be amended or repealed
]
Judge or judges could appoint a commits
sioner TO select jurors and thus destroy
/ the political and corrupt influence IN this
regard Of well known undesirable ana
dangerous eitisens.
There is an issue now before the entire
country concerning an amendment 10 the
federal constitution providing an income
tax. And I urge upon you the Importance
I OF ratifying that amendment
Il also respectfully urge you TO pass a
resolution asking our senators 20 support
an amendment providing for the election
OF United states senator by popular vote.
Il call your attention 10 the fact that
the Anti-treat law in its present form Is
wholly inadequate and should be amended
I'VE suggest an amendment imposing a
fine upon the saloon keeper or bar tender
who permits the treating to be done as
| punishment for the first offense. And
upon conviction OF second offense OF
allowing treating then In that case the
license TO be revoked. A procedure should
| in this regard be also devised 50 that delays
/ sould be impossible and appeals have a