Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-05-08
Lincoln Bureau of The Omaha Bee
p. A. Barrows. Correspondent.

mended. and this without waiting for the
constitutional convention. In fact, the
constitutional convention could not take
care of this subject. for 1t Is a legislative
instead Of constitutional matter.
You say that this is mot a partisan
move" but note that It has the support
principally Of the same interests that OPP
posed the present administration both
prior to and since the election.
Inaccurate Statements.
You state that the code bill allows the
governor to select six political henchmen
at $1,000 per year. in addition to hun
dreds Of other subordinates" II that
statement was Intentionally made. and
with a full understanding Of what the
code bill provides for, its inaccuracy is
sufficient to deprive Its author OF any
confidence at the hands Of the people, for
the fact is that the code bill will make 1t
business with fewer people than is done
under the present system.
I notice. also. that you state the civil
administrative code bill Is different than
illinois, and call attention to the civil
service provisions of the Illinois law. 1t
is true that the Illinois law does provide
for certain civil service requirements, but
institutions come under the civil admin
istrative code in Illinois and 1t Is the
employees in those institutions that are
subject to the civil service requirements.
the administrative government and does
not include any of, the executive depart
ments provided for by the constitution.
which includes both the institutions un-
der the board of control ana the state
Railway commission.
You say this legislation is reactionary
and dangerous and yet IL mas been ap-
proved by at least three other states. and
several others have made provision for
1t. For instance, I understand the state
of Ohio at its last legislature appointed a
joint committee to make provisions for
such a law for that state.
Where Comes Money?
In seeking to refer this subject to the
become at once apparent to all those who
are fair-minded and unprejudiced that the
referendum Is being used here in very
dangerous manner and those who are
thus urging its application must be pre-
pared to account to the people when the
proper time comes for having thus held
up legislation that was given very careful
consideration both before the election and
during its period of enactment.
I am sure the people are going to
want to know the source from which you
obtain your funds and the personnel of
your organization, for both are very I'M
portant factors II the subject is to appear
to the voters in an unprecedented light.
A great majority Of the people In the
state are going to feel that this legisla-
tion should be given fair trial before 1t
Is referred, ana / assume that they are
not going to be very tolerant Of the meth
DDS that you apparently propose using to
hold up this legislation.
If you think this legislation is so re-
dictionary. why do you not let the present
administration carry the burden for its
enactment and its operation? If 1t is all
that you say. 1t will certainly mean our
political death and that should be quite
pleasing to you.
Warning Given.
By conducting campaign that is based
on misinformation and partisan prejudice.
you may be able to obtain sufficient sign
ers to refer this bill. but you cannot do
1t IL you tell the people exactly what the
code bill proposes to accomplish. This you
cannot do by merely referring the title, for
that contains principally list of sections
of the present statutes that are repealed
and re-enacted under the code law
1t is not necessary for me to suggest
that you proceed with due caution in this
matter, for I can assure you that to take
unfair advantage Of the referendum in the
handling of legislation that has been given
careful consideration, both before and fol-
lowing the election, the results will have
a kick like mule for everyone who as
sociates himself with such campaign