Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-26
Bv P. A. BARROWS.

Lincoln, Neb.. May 25.-Organiza-
tons which have been formed ard
which may be formed in the future
with the idea in view of electing
enough members of the constitu-
tional convention to control that
body, should be frank with the peo-
pie of Nebraska and inform them
just what they expect to do i'll the
event they are successful in con-
trolling the new convention.
The people of Nebraska have a
right to know just why it is neces-
sary for any organization whatever
to be formed with view of con-
trolling the constitutional eonven-
ton. They have a right to know
what motive is behind such an Or
ganization and what that organza-
ton has in view which prompts it to
take such move. This does not
apply to any particular organiza-
ton, but to any oganization having
its sole purpose, that of control
of the convention and the drawing
up of a constitution which will have
to be submitted to the people for
ratification.
Some Rumors AAoat.
According to rumors ahoat there
will be efforts made to take from
the legislature powers conferred BY
the present constitution, making the
new constitution more legislative
document than its present form. The
members of the new constitutional
convention should bear in mind that
what they do will have to go to
the people for ratification and if
they draw up constitution which
covers too much territory the peo~
pie are liable to resent that action
and repudiate it at the polls.
The present constitution of Ne
braska is a good constitution, the
only trouble with it is that it does
not meet the advanced needs of the
state. Nebraska has outgrown the
work of the constitution trainers of
1875 and all that is needed is to
bring the constitution up to date
and amend it to meet the probable
needs of the next Is years. That is
all that the constitutional convention
should do. Should the members of
the new institutional body seek to
extend the constitution so that it
covers matters which a legislature
should handle from time to time.
Nebraska is liable to have lot of
trouble in the future changing that
constitution to meet conditions
which develop from year to year.
The most important changes
which should be made are mostly in
the line of amendments to the old
constitution. The salaries of the
state. officers should be raised suf-
ficiently so that they can at least
break even when their term of office
is over. The governor of the state
should receive as much as a con-
gresham. He represents a whole
state, while a congressman repre-
sents just a district The office of
governor has more responsibility
than a congressman and should be
paid accordingly. The other state
officers should be raised to CORE
spond.
The office of lieutenant governor
should be something more than it is.
l think | am in position to speak
from the point of personal contact
and experience. By the time that
the constitutional convention shall
have performed its work and the
same has been adopted by the peo-
pie, | will have stepped down and
out and perhaps long before that
time. I can therefore speak with
out being charged with having per-
sonal interest.
Officer Only in Name.
Under the present constitution the
lieutenant governor is paid a salary
twice the amount paid a member of
the legislature, as president of the
senate. He draws that salary in
three monthly instalments during
the session the same as a member of
the legislature and when the session
has adjourned he has received his
full pay and probably spent it like
l did and probably all former in
cumbents of that office before me.
From that time on his IS simply an