Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-11-21
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-, HE PLAY Of battedore and shuttecock with
these numerous petitions for nominating candi-
dates for president the signatures Of less than
two sef-constituted CONSUMPTION officers is
drawing attention 20 presidential primary law
that IL being easily msused. helped to write the
original direct primary law placed the Nebraska
statutes. but that law has been changed by nearly
every succeeding legislature and would scarcely
nize itself today With the exception Of the return TO
the closed primary after the disastrous experiment
with the open primary, most of these changes have
been Of doubtful value far being rated as Inn
provements goes and here after eight years
trial with almost much dissatisfaction with the
machinery of the primary there was before With
od-tms conventions
We win never go back 10 the free-and-essy
regulated nominating methods that prevailed before
the enactment Of the primary law but other states
have primary laws that cast lines OF common
scnse and effective results which we In Nebraskn
could wen emulate. But how will ever secure
rational direct primary law in Nebraska when our
lawmakers. thus nominated and elected. and owing
their positions TO that process hesitate, ana hesitate
rightly, to kick down the ladder by which they them
selves climbed up? There lie one way. and think II
II the only way far know, by which the object
may be achieved that will give '1et-the-people
rude primary law instead Of the present let-a-few-
observation-disclosures primary law. II the repuo-
lcsn and democratic state committees would appoint
Joint committee In the way that the two
houses Of the legislature appoint Joint committees and
charged Il with the formulation a workable, direct
primary and party government law. and the Joint
committee succeeded IN drafting measure command
ing the endorsement Of the two party organizations.
II could then be proposed initiative act anil
submitted TO the people for popular ratification at the
next election. Being Invested Of any partisan issue
and without any advantage TO party
other II ought to meet little or opposition and It's
adoption would take out OF the political wilderness
In which we seem TO be aimlessiy wandering.
In losing the Tom Kellys. who have long figured
in the front ranks of omaha's musical circles Omaha
austaina the heavier loss Mr., and Kelly will
keep at the head Of the procession wherever they
may be. We Of The Bee regard Mr.. Kelly in part
Bee product, for he has reputation and standing
a. critic and writer on musical subjects almost
equal to that a conductor, recitalist and music
teacher and his literary side developed by his
connection with this paper musical critic
When Kelly was doing the music column for Tine
Bee he kept II fun OF ginger all the time and be-
evs had a personal controversy most of the time
because he has opinions and fears to express
them regardless OF how they hit On more than one
occasion entertained delegations demanding KeIy's
musical critic scalp but them charged
him with dishonest criticism or discrimination scor-
ing artists who asa not fulfill their promises, or
failed TO measure to standard. hesItated 10
uphold his freedom Of opinion, although more than
standing BY Kelly brought reprisals on The
Bee. came 10 the conclusion then. from which con.
cuaon have not since been shaken that II IL abso-
iuteiy impossible to maintain harmony among profess
slonal musicians-the artistic temperament simply
will not allow l-and the only thing for newspaper
to do IL TO engage COMPETENT critic whose judg.
ment It can rely. and back the critic UP the limit
was walking down the street the other day with
Jake Reiner. and admirtng the beautl.
ful new Grain Exchange building now approaching
its completion ne reminded that my uncle Andrew
Rosewator was once the OF the lots upon which
that building is being erected
Your uncle bought that corner lot from old Tom
Campbell negro, who lived In little rickety shanty
down In the hole there. remember It distinctly be-
was feeding a press for Gibson, Miller q
atad "a bali.
He made the sale Just before election came in and
announced Il 20 Mr. Richardson in these words: Il
jes sold my lot for $4,000 Mr. Richardson and 1
guess can vote as please this time"
I looked up the record 10 verify the transfer ana
find that Campbell in 1874 bought the lot for 5000
which he sold In 1855 for $4,000 So evidently there was
good money made in Omaha real estate In those
days. too.