Omaha daily bee., 1915-09-02

of having moro Inmates who desire long
terms than any other state institution.
The executive head Of the government
Of the state n Governor John NJ. More
head, now serving his second term.
Under him and serving in the different
departments OF state are: Charles w.
Pool. secretary OF state; George E. Hail,
state treasurer; William II. Smith, state
auditor; A o. Thomas. state superinten-
dent OF public instruction; Willis r. Reed
attorney general; Fred Beckmann, COM
missioner of public lands Henry T.
Clark, chairman, and II. @. Taylor and
7. L. Hall OF the State Railway commits
sion. Each has charge Of the different
departments OF the state as his designa-
ton indicates
The Judicial department Is composed
OF the supreme court judges. seven in all
with three supreme court commissioners
and clerk OF the court. Chief Justice
Andrew ]. Morrissey Of Lincoln Is at
the head OF the court with John b.
Barn of Norfolk. Charles d. Letton Of
Fairbury. William B. Rose Of Lincoln,
Jacob Fawcett of Omaha, Samuel II.
sedgwick Of York and Francis G. Hamer
OF Kearney as associate Justices The
judges are all required to live In Lincoln
during their terms. which are for six
years each. Each Judge receives 1850
year.
In addition 70 these. there are three
supreme court commissioners, which
have been recently appointed by the gov
ornor for q term Of two years, under a
special act Of the last legislature. These
are Grant O. Martin OF Lincoln, #. o.
Mcoirr Of Beatrice and W. @. Parriott
OF Auburn. These commissioners will
also be required 10 live in Lincoln AMI
viii draw a salary OF $500 each per
annum.
The clerk Of the supreme court is
Harry G. Lindsay. who Is also state libra
nan. and has charge not only OF the
records OF the court, but Of the state
library.
The Legislative department consists OF
thirty-three members. who compose the
senate. representing twenty-eight dis
trtcts. while the house Is composed OF
100 members. representing seventy-seven
districta A session OF tho legislature Is
held every two years and through these
bodies all appropriations for the main
tenance OF the state ana its institutions
have TO pass.
The coming year and the one 20 follow
WIN be important ones for the state his
torical society, because the state IL look
Ing 10 Il for a proper Observance of the
fiftieth anniversary OF the statehood OF
Nebraska Already plans have been
started, largely through the efforts Of It's
president, John Lee Webster. OF Omaha,
and its secretary. Clarence s. Paine, OF
Lincoln, and with these two gentlemen
taking the lead the right kind of a ceie-
bration il assured.
The society has been doing a grand
work toward the perpetuation OF the his
tory OF Nebraska. II has been done
under conditions that have at times been
n,est disccuraging Somehow the people
Of the state cannot be educated into the
belief that the safety OF records and the
keeping up OF those things which have
been connected with its early history
are OF much Importance and year after
year these records and relics have been
allowed to lilo almost unprotected, a
negligence on the rart Of the past leglsla-
lures which Il almost criminal.
Other states have gone to large ex-
pense 10 prepare these old historical things
which had 90 much to do with their
early history. Other states have recog-
mixed the efforts OF their historical So
cieties and have come forward with funds
10 carry on the work and protect the
valuable records from destruction from
fire and the other elements OF nature,
but Nebraska legislatures 70 far have
turned a deaf ear 20 the entreaties OF
the officers and friends Of the historical
society and every day valuable relics and
priceless documents are liable to destruc-
tion.
The Nebraska Historical society II
located az the state university IN one OF
the building and the basement has beer
given over to II for It's use. Here, under
the supervision OF Secretary Paine and
the assistance Of his helpers. the work
OF the society IL carried on Under cir.
cumstances which would try the patience
OF saint. Secretary Paine has gone
(. ahead doing the best he can and over
coming difficulties which have doomed
up At times like mountains. When assist.
ance was needed Il was only necessary
20 appeal ito the president, Mr.. Webster
and some way was always found 70 gel
around the mountain. Sometimes Il was
General Websters pocket book which
rendered the assistance. but more Rener.
ally Il was his good sound Judgment ant
advice which enabled the secretary with
his own will and enshsy 20 surnount IN,
difficulties.
And 30 the officers and friends Of In,
society are living on IN hopes that som,
day. before the last old historic roll
has fallen to decay because OF no pro
lection from the elements. and the valu
able books and papers have turned 10 dust
that some good friendly Legislature WIFI
make an appropriation large enough l,
house the remains ana partially make ri
for the mistaken economy OF the past.
Nebraska state Penitentiary,
Many changes have taken place AZ IN,
Nebraska state penitentiary since the ad
vent Of Warden w. I. Fenton. IN charg,
81 that institution Warden Fenton hal
been atrong advocate Of the parole an,
trusty plan. and when a prisoner hai
shown BY his acts that he was entltle,
TO parole. he had a chance 70 20 befor
the pardon board and state his case
When prisoner shows he can be trusted
the warden has given him the right 10 n
out without icing under the eers OF
guard. and thus putting men upon thei
honor has done much 10 help condition
at the penitentiary. and. AZ a result, IN
men have gained much BY Il. In In
ha