Omaha daily bee., 1919-12-18
PROPOSAL CUTS
OFFICERS TO Be
CHOSEN BY VOTE
Convention Amendment Would
Also Do Away With Num-
Der of Code Bill
Secretaries.
p, A. Barrows. c.

proposal before the constitutional
convention introduced by A. H.
Byrum of Franklin county and
George Jackson of Nuckolls county,
if It becomes a part of the consti-
tuition, is attracting great deal of
!. attention because of its changes,
= which not only cuts down the num-
Der of elective officers of the state
but does away with the different
secretaries created by the code bill.
The bill provides for 10 depart
ments of state divided as follows:
Public welfare, public lands and
buildings, labor, trade and com
merce, finance, law, agriculture, pub
lie works, education, accounts, pub
lie utilities.
Divides Departments.
The proposal cuts down the
number of elective state officers to
the governor, lieutenant governor,
attorney general, treasurer and au-
ditor. The departments above are
functioned as follows:
Under the governor will be placed
the department of public welfare,
which will include the railroad COM
mission. Under the lieutenant gov
ernor will be placed the department
of public lands and buildings, which
will include the board of control and
supervision of state institutions. The
secretary of state shall have under
7 him the department of labor. The
state treasurer will have under him
the different financial departments.
ara1 hn r<
head of the legal work of the state.
These five state officers will COM
pose a cabinet before which all af-
fairs of state shall go for discussion
and settlement, and a majority of
the cabinet shall decide all ques-
tons.
This cabinet appoints state SUI
perintendent, secretary of agri-
culture and secretary of public
works. This cabinet is given the
power to handle all pardons, etc,
subject to statutory provisions.
The salary of the governor is
made $4,000 and the rest of the four
state officers $4,000, and they are
prohibited from receiving any other
public funds. Introducers of the
resolution assert that the PROPOSE
ton would cut the expense of run
ming the state several thousand dol
lars year in salaries alone.
To Hear Bryan.
The convention, on a motion by
Selleck of Lancaster, will invite
William Jennings Bryan to address
it when he comes to Lincoln some
time in the near future. A commit
tee will take charge of the matter.
Propositions introduced Wednes-
day were:
No. 1870. by Haskell-rour-y.ar term
No. l3i. by Kieck-cuts out clause Of
present constitution forbidding clerk hire
allowance for the attorney general and
state superintendent
No. 1872 by Saul ers-Empowers legis-
lature to provide for consolidation Of ad-
No 1873, by saunders-Empowers legls-
lature to provide for consolidation of
county and city. governments in one mu-
no. 1874, by Howard-Aliows classified
No Is5, by Fransburg-Limits each
legislative district to one senator and one
representatives; no county or city to be
divided unless It's population is entitled to
more than one member.
No. 1885, by Ream-New preamble to
constitution, emphasizing rights and lib
critics won by the forefathers and calling
for their enlargement and extension.
No. 1877, by Bigelow-Alows Omaha and
Douglas county to consolidate their gov
ernments In a manner to be provided by
law.
No. 1888, by Wilson (Douglas)-Provides
for trial by jury in all cases of construc-
tive contempt and authorizes legislature
civil suits.
No, 1ss, by Wilson glas)-Forbids
the state or any county or municipality to
anf frr fra
or immunity; declares that courts shall
have no power to imply such grants
les hs Ws or through the peop.
through the Initiative full power to regu-
late hours Of labor for either sex in any
industry or GLASS Of industrials when
No. 14I. by Observation-Disclosures the
courage farm ownership by those living
upon and working the lands. Plan In.
cludes long time loans at low interest,"
rates to assist such persons In purchas.
Ing. retaining and improving lands used
for agriculture, horticulture raising live
stock and nd other food si products nmd pvr-p.-
organization of state civil administra-
ton into 10 departments. with six cleo
ernor's powers transferred to a board OF
five state officers. the governor being one
of them Antidote to the code law now
No. 145, by Stolley--Reorganization OF
judicial system. giving legislature power TO
create and abolish courts below the district
court Legislature at next session to pro-
vide for a commission to investigate, and
sfter 1t has reported the legislature shall
provide by law for procedure in all courts:
Revision Of the procedure to be carried out
by a special commission every six years.
Supreme court given authority to Grange
he rules. General provisions as to Juris-
iiction Of the courts, qualifications OF
- Judges Salaries of supreme and district
VI SQUIRT Judges fixed at mot less than $4,000
4 md mot less than $4,000" respectively.
these being the definite salaries now paid.
No IA, by Pitzer-Createes an industrial
commission of five members the chairman
appointed by the governor and confirmed
by the state senate, for term of four
years and the other members to be named
hy the governor alone for terms of two
years each, expiring In alternate years
Membership on commission not all to be OF
same political party. and representation TO
be given employers, employees, commercial
and trade interests. and the people gener-
T ally. Commission to administer and en-
force all laws for the comfort health.
safety and welfare of employees: collect and
compile data on wages and Industrial con-
dttions, and use its good offices In dis
putes between employers and employees
In the latter capacity it is authorized to sit
as$ court and may be authorized by the
legislature to forbid strikes or !ockouts
prior to a complaint made to itself. GUAR
rights of labor and empowers leg1S-