Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-15
Nebraska
WHO LEAD IN LEGISLATURE
Nichols and Peterson Make Their
Mark for Constructive Quail
ties Of Leadership.
NORTON AND TAYLOR COMPARED
fFrom staff Correspondent

(From a staff Correspondent
LINCOLN. March 14-(Special.)-In the
house two men in this session of ~
legislature have developed qualities which
mark them especially as entitled to men
ton. Both men happen to be repub-
licaps. but no one disputes their ability
10 deliver the goods. These two men are
Representative James Nichols of Madi-
son and Representative c. Petrus Peter
son of Lancaster, both attorneys.
Nichols is serving his second term as
representative. Two years ago he made
a record which showed he had the ability
10 deliver the goods. At that time. no
matter how great the confusion, when
ever Nichols arose to address the house
every member paid attention. This ses-
sion lie a duplication of the last, Every
body recognizes that Jim says things
when he talks and says them in a way
that carries conviction.
Peterson is a new man in the legislature,
but he has rapidly taken a place in the
minds of the members as being one Of
the level headed members.
Speaker Makes Mark.
On the majority side Speaker jackson
has exceeded the expectations of his
of the session. He rules the house firmly
and sits down on a member when 1t is
necessary and makes him like 1t. 1t IL
no Disagreement to former speakers to
say that very few of them have been in
the George Jackson class.
Norton of Polk is a leader. No one
can dispute that. man who can over
turn the adage that two blades of grass
one grew before" and make it read,
'one blade where two grew before"
is some leader. Norton has done this
in the case of state appropriations and
he has forced the house TO back him
in the proposition and Join with him in
chanting, Backward, Turn backward, o,
Time in Thy Flight" For progressive
Norton appears to be gifted with great
deal of hindsight.
Norton and Taylor.
Another man, who has been an able
lieutenant of Norton in his efforts to
cut down expenses, is Taylor of Gus
ter. They have their seats side by side
and frequently hold animated discus
sons between themselves in an under
tone while something is going on in
the house.
The men are exactly opposite in their
methods. Norton Is quiet, smooth and
resourceful. He believes it better to
catch a bird by putting salt on Its tail
rather than use the methods of his coll
league and wiring the birds neck. Tay-
lor believes in fighting in the open and
when he goes after a proposition of
legislation he goes after 1t in the sledge
hammer style, which makes his speeches
sensational. Taylor is not always right,
but everybody gives him credit for think
ing he is right.
However, the house contains no men,
bers, who can compare with Nichols and
Peterson, for constructive qualities, and
this is generally conceded.
The senate this session is a pretty
even body. Probably a more even body
has never served Nebraska in many
years. No particular individual stands
cut prominently above his associates.
From the standpoint of oratory, prob
ably Sandal of York, republican, would
be selected. There are others who are
convincing takers. Howell of Douglas,
Mallory of Box Butte. Beal of Custer
and one or two others.