Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-04-27
RICHMOND MOANS
OVER BILLS LOSS
Declares New Capitol Building
Was Lost Through Treach-
cry of Members.
STILL HAS MUCH HOPE

~ = AAAL AAAs~ 40 - ~~ -
Il offer no apology for having
worked hard TO start a capitol build
ing movement at this session, and
were | to serve another term | should
exert every energy TO that end, said
H, c. Richmond. member OF the late
legislature from Douglas county, who
made a strenuous fight for new
capitol building.
The next legislature is absolutely
certain to make ample provisions for
fine new capitol building. The Ques-
ton has been so thoroughly discussed
and all objections by the tight-wads
and other obstructionists so complete
ly overcome as to leave mo doubt
what the next legislature will do. At
the next session it will be cinch.
The sensational career of H. r. No. ]
| furnished debate twenty times in the
house and as often i'll the senate.
Every conceivable phase of the mat
ter was discussed. 1t was abundantly
proved, for instance, that relocation,
even as subterfuge, will never be
mentioned again; that Lincoln is the
railroad center OF the state, and IS
not only now the center of population,
| but by the best estimate will remain
the center Of population fifty years
hence.
Hints at Scandal,
1T would amount to scandal to de-
tail how the capitol building was muir
dercd in the dying moments OF the
legislature. By a trick of fate with
the aid of two or three senators OF
the faction which persistently pre-
tended to surmse that pot was
being raised to put the bill through,
the measure which had passed both
houses by good vote was strangled.
There was no pretense of fairness.
BE it remembered that the capitol
bill was the first bill introduced Jam
uary 10. 1t went to the house financial
committee, of which Representative
Rieschick of Falls City, violent
enemy of the bill, was chairman. He
so Unanswered as to give prece-
dence to every other appropriation
bill SO that despite our best en-
deavors it was not reported out until
March 9-two months later.
Then the senate finance commit
tee, Phil Kohl of Wayne, chairman,
used the same methods in holding up
the bill over one month longer. Then
a slight corrective amendment was
made by the senate, and the bill
passed on to the house by good
vote. This offered enemies OF the
bill chance to slaughter it and they
seized upon it vigorously.
Blames Mr.. Taylor.
mark you, the senate amendment
made it plain while the commission
was authorized to construct only an
east wing it should provide a design
which means pencil sketch for an
entire new building. This would cost
from $4,000 to $4,000. Immediately
Taylor of Custer, an uncompromsine
and unreasoning enemy of the capito
at all times, actively circulated among
the house members asserting that this
would contemplate an expenditure OIL
$500 900 for plans alone, Hoffmeister
of Chase, an influential member, ex.
citedlv ioind with TAYLOR, and well
meaning members innocently fell fol
this absurd and silly falsehood. The
result was inconvenience and Their
Tavlor and all enemies of the bill
worked on the senate TO prevent rece.
dence
D., :, 1oL.
Naii Al JoAe''
Then Mr.. aylor suggested a sub
stitute levy bill providing, commits
sion, but the building to be deferred
for two years. | eagerly accepted 4
as a compromise, and 1t went into
conference, but alas, before the con
terees wfre able to report tount
the gentleman from Custer quieti,
working against it instead, and, tor