Omaha daily bee., 1920-01-18
Mayor Will Not Seek
Governorship Of State

| CONTINUED From Page One.)
in the city hall that need to be
done and when that unfinished wrok
has been done, Let me live in the
house by the side of the road and
be friend of man. I am not, and
do not desire to be, a candidate for
any public office" F.
Rivals Tammany Hall.
In laying down the gauntlet to
Governor McKelvie, the mayor
stated that no governor has been
vested with such autocratic power
as has been conferred by the code
bill under. which Nebraska's state
government is now operated.
The state government has been
revolutionized." he said. "Never in
the palmiest days of Tammany hall
was there such a possibility for
governor building up a political ma
chine. There has never been such
an example of autocratic government
in any state of our union. While our
boys were in Europe destroying
autocratic forms of government, the
governor establishes an autocratic
state government not exceeded in
all Europe. ..
care the people of Nebraska ready
to indorse this revolution in their
state government? Is Nebraska 60
ing to become one-man state? The
people who gave their best blood to
overthrow autocracy in Europe are
not going to stand for autocracy
in Nebraska. ..
Dissects Code Bill.
I'VE should give the author of this
code bill life furlough. We should
rise UP in our might and say that the
government of this state is going to
be returned to the people"
The mayor dissected the code bill.
asserting that it confers upon the
governor alone the power to appoint
the various officials and clerks and
to fix their salaries. He added that
the code bill is the motive power
which makes it possible for a po-
litical machine to run without fric-
ton and prevents anybody throwing
d monkey wrench into it.
Speaks on Riot.
The mayor took cognizance Of
local events by saying:
There has been too much conf
mendation and comment on account
OF my actions during the recent
trouble in Omaha. I cannot con-
ceive how any American, sworn to
uphold the constitution and facing
similar circumstances, could have
done otherwise. When | was at the
lamp post and felt the rope around
my neck, there was no question in
my mind as to what my duty was.
was not a martyr, but, after 50 years
of life, ] realized that there are
worse things than paying the ex-
treme penalty
The mayor stated that he believes
municipalities should have full
power to control and regulate public
service corporations, rather than be
required to go before state railway
commission, whose other name he
said was Tom Hail."
He made plea that the demo-
cratic party should stand for law
and order.
Speakers at Meet.
The dinner was started with
america" followed by a toast to
President Wilson. c. H. Mithen,
noting that there were many Shades
of democrats present." introduced c.
IS. Montgomery. The. speakers were:
Charlie. :. Mclaughlin, Rev. Titus
Lowe, Mrs. H. J. Bailey, F. E. Shee-
ham,. Mayor Smiths law associate;
James P. O'Hara, Mrs. II. c. Sum-
ney and c. r, Sherman.
Mrs. Sumney aroused the risibili-
ties of the crowd by stating that
women formerly in politics were
dressed up and nowhere to 60" and
now they expected democrats and re-
publicans to give them leaders and
a place to go. "Now that we women
have suffrage we are close to you"
she said.
Mrs. Bailey, head Of the economics
department of the Omaha Women's
club, likewise evoked laughter by
stating that women voters are in a
quandary when presented by two
prospective candidates in the per-
sonnel OF R. B. Howell and Mayor
Smith. She referred to Mr.. Howell
as tall, handsome and of mild coun-
tenance,' and to the mayor as short
of stature. stern of countenance and
tried and true." .....+
Must Use Draft.
Mr.. Sherman asserted that the
draft will have to be applied in fore
ing the mayor to be candidate for
governor.
will the mayor rum" Mr.. Sher-
man asked.
II like Mayor Smith" said Rev.
Mr.. Lowe, because he does not hes
itate nor pussyfoot when expressing
his convictions. We had cross-sec-
ton of him during the court house
affair" He also stated that the bulk
of women are better than the bulk
OF men.
Mr.. Mithen stated that the Office of
mayor should be stepping stone,
but that frequently it is temb-
stone.
Letters and kilograms from absent
friends of the mayor were read.