Omaha daily bee., 1912-05-16
Nebraska
TERM OF JUDGE IN DOUBT
SANE TRUE OF THE LEGISLATURE
Clause Raising Pay of Members Not
Clear as to The Time Il Goes
Into Effect-More Taxes
Paid In.
CFrom a staff Correspondent

CFrom a staff Correspondent
LINCOLN, Neh.. May l5-There Is
considerable difference OF opinion as to
the Interpretation of two Of the consti-
tuuonhl amendments to be submitted to
the voSers Of Nebraska this fall. In the
one for biennial elections, the section
regarding judges Of the supreme court
appears to be conflicting. In one place
ii would appear that the supreme justice.
who is to be elected in 1918. who is to
serve until his successor is elected, will
hart term cut short by year, the
provision being for the election OF his
successor at the general election in 1918
In another place ii provides the term
of the chief Justice, who is elected In
1913. will expire in January. 1890. II the
latter clause Is the ruling. one. the man
elected in 1878 would not take his seat
until year and two months after his
election and his predecessor serve full
six-yesr term. In the case Of the amend
msnt regarding salaries Of members Of
the legislature the question is whether,
il toe amendment carries, the legislature
which is elected this fall and convenes
in January 1912. will receive the extra
compensation provided for by the amend
nent. The language Of the amendment
is held by some lawyers TO be ambiguous,
The pardon board made majority and
minority reports on the petition Of Charles
Graham, sent up from Lancaster county
for one year for failure to provide for
his wife. Members Maggi and Butler op-
posed granting a pardon and Yeiser fay-
as he promised to support his wife. he had
suffered enough and particularly In view
Of the fact that his wife Joined the young
mans mother In the petition for pardon,
The governor sided with the minority and
issued a pardon. The young mans
mother was profuse in thanking the gov
ernor for the pardon and the governor
in return advised her to assist the young
couple to live together in harmony. This
advice was particularly pertinent In view
Of the fact that his mother is blamed by
the wife for their troubles. Mrs. Ora
ham. ST., promised to do her best along
the harmony lines. Graham was con-
NtCteO III july VIII bul was uOl oth-
fenced until February, 1912, the sentence
being delayed In hopes he would conclude
to live with and support his wife. He
declared al that time. however, that he
would rather 20 TO prison than live with,
work and support his wife and his wish
Was grstified. Six months in prison has
served to work a change In his mind.
however, In fact several months ago the
move was made to obtain pardon on his
promise to support her. The young wife
and Grahams mother took the pardon to
the prison and tonight there is reunited
family In Lincoln.
state Treasurer George has certified up
TO the state superintendent the amount Of
money available for the May apportion-
ment OF the temporary school fund. 1t
amounts this year 20 s342.o15S against
$50. 4Sl.e2 for May last year. The decrease
is largely due to decrease In revenue
from school lands. that from hives Nent
being about the same. owing 10 the
short crop last year there is more than
the usual amount OF school lands on
which the lease money is delinquent. In
addition school lands which have been
under lease are being sold all the time
and the money cannot be invested at as
high a rate as the lease on the lands
produced, which Is 6 per cent.
Cash In the state treasury is gradually
increasing and there is no probability now
that Treasurer George will be compelled
to cease cashing state warrants, which
appeared probable month ago.
The governors dog. Bill. mas been hav-
ing another fight. but this time showed
more discretion than on his previous ef-
fort. Today he took on Treasures
Georges fox terrier Bob. Bob was active
and willing, but his. size precluded his
doing much execution on his bulldogshipL
The estate Of former County Treasurer
Mclaughlin has paid to the treasurer OF
Lancaster county se,2si.1S. the amount Of
the shortage discovered In the office after
his successor had taken charge. Me-
Lsughlin was sick during the last year
Of his term and personally could have
had nothing to do with the shortage. and
in fact his reputation was such that !.
would not have been charged to him per-
konAHy under any circumstance. ~ never
has been established who the guilty party
is. as there we're several who could have
taken the money and made the false en-
tries In the books and vouchers
Thomas Ross, a trusty at the yeniten-
tiary, tried to make a getaway yesterday.
but his liberty was short Cards and
other prison attaches were sent out TO
search for him and Chaplain N. II. Har
mon soon located Ross In a grove OF
timber near the prison
Frank Edgerton Of the attorney gen.
erals office will deliver the commence
nent address FrIda yevening for the To-
bias public schools.
II. c. Lindsay. clerk Of the supreme
court. is on the sick list. but expects to
Be back in the office within few days.
Merrick Votes Money to Fair.
CENTRAL CITY. Neb., May B.--(Spe-
ciall--A delegation Of citizens from
Clarks came up to attend the meeting