Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-01-03
RICHMOND TELLS
HOW MONEY GOES
Candidate for Speaker Talks of
Lawmakers Failings in Reply
to Berge's Attack.
MAY LAND HIM IN CHAIR
DiscIoses How Time at Five Dollars
Per Minute f. Wasted when
Real Chairman Could Bring
Members to Time,
(From a staff Correspondent

LINCOLN, Jan. Especial. )-There is
little doubt, but the attack made upon
lIenry G. Richmond by George W. Berge,
defeated candidate for the democratic
nomination for governor, has strength
ended the candidacy of Mr.. Richmond
for the speakership of the house and has
probably given him sufficient support to
land. This seems 10 be the sentiment
about the hotel Hobbies today.
:. In an article appearing in local papers
yesterday, Mr.. Berge charged Mr. Rich
mond with being responsible for al
legged extravagancies of the last session
of the legislature as clerk OF the house
Mr. Richmond came back at Mr.. Berge
with statement alleging that 1t was
the same kind Of charges made by the
latter in his campaign for the democratic
nomination against Governor Morehead
that the voters repudiated with the re-
suit that the nomination of Governor
Morehead was made certain
May Land Him at Caucus.
The result of the controversy seems to
have made Richmond stronger with the
members who so far have appeared on
the scene and will probably result in
his election by the caucus Monday night.
Mr. Richmond goes into the race almost
with SUFFICIENT pledges to nominate him.
New members who have come IN and
have had q chance to size UP the situa-
ton, appear to believe the Omaha man
is the proper party to place at the head
OF the lower house y situation which
speaks much for the success of Mr.. Rich
mond is that many patry leaders, who
see In the work of the coming session
chance to make OF break the demo-
cratic party, as far as its future Is
concerned as the dominant party be-
lieve that with his large acquaintance,
his ability as a presiding officer, his
! knowledge Of legislative procedure and
~ his ability to take advantage of every
opportunity, more good may be accom-
plished under his guidance than in any
other wa.
Richmond Has His Say.
4 In a statement issued today, Mr.. Rich
hnond goes into the matter ofNeconomS
along legislative lines very thoroughly
and seeks to enlighten the members az
TO the real cause of extravaganza. He
says in part:
do not wish to obtrude my opin.
ions upon my fellow members put
am willing to defer to the potentia
democrat leaders of the house whC
earnestly desire to organize along line!
that will bring the~best results.
and l shall not be afraid to stand 70
them. II elected to the speakership.
shall strive to the best of my abilit,
TO assist the members In carrying OF
policy of retrenchment and efficient
which we have faithfully promised ant
for which there is such universal de
mand.
/ have gone on record in favor of
sixty-day session. think we shoul
not have to run the clock back at thi
session to accommodate belated bills
In the business affairs of life, import
ant work is always done first, and thi
rule should be applied to the legis
lature. Means and methods should b
SHERATON Of the most important meas
ures, so that we may be all cleaned "a
and ready to adjourn when the constitu
tional time has been reached.
Matter of Figures.
1t Is a simple matter to figure tina
it costs the lower house a s. bill 70
tsion. This means that every minut
lost is S. wasted, and l believe an
have always believed. that the speakel
more than any other man, is in pos
. ton to make every minute count Will
the house lie in session. have see
the presiding officer of the house pei
NlIlous members about accepting an In
Walton to some social function 70
half an hour-thirty minutes at IS pc
minute-when one stroke of the gav'
would have left the matter to be sci
tied in another way and saved the nes
sum OF $50 to the taxpayers. l hav
seen, as we all have, earnest member
paw the air for one hour-at a S a mir
ute-about some silly sentiment not 9
all germaine to the subject, and eT
tirely out of order under the rules
another $500 wasted. And we have a
seen also those patriotic statesme
who denounce with bitterness the en-
ployment OF a few additional employC
we have all seen these same states
men march into a committee room. clos
their eyes, set their jaws. and vote Il
some worthless cause or custom a SUI
large enough to pay all the employees tn;
Y could be herded into the state house,
Desires Only Good.
In seeking the speakership, have bl
ambition, and that is to join N
fellow legislators in an earnest effort
make good. The democratic party is
the majority. and the people will no
its leaders, and its newspapers, who ha,
promised a reform program, strictly a
countable for its acts. and the record
makes will go down in history to q
credit or the discredit of the party
l repeat my intention, therefore.
join with democrat leaders in an earne
effort 10 make record of economy al
efficiency which will reflect credit upC
the party and upon the legislature as
whole. The utmost care should be exc
cised In making the appropriations,
that the states money will be spent
the very best advantage. Appropriate
n6G2iQs should be reported out early. al
Niot held back till the dying hours OF Il
session, and then damned through wit
out proper consideration.
| am for an open caucus and an Cd,
ballot. / favor the selection of the stan
ing committees by the house majority
nm strictly IN favor OF the more sslie
'eatures of the report of the speciaI cor
mittee on legislative reform. L hope \
SHAH De able to give them immedia
consideration, and be a0le to get doy