The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-04-19
| S.
Confirmed
for Tax ) I>:$'' -
- -
Osborne Res - mis-
sioner, FearinsN possible
10 Work in harmony
With Governor.
z Oppose Appointment
special Dispatch to The Omaha Bee

special Dispatch to The Omaha Bee.
Lincoln, April 1s.-Fifteen minutes
before the senate began consideration
of the confirmation of w. II. Smith
of Seward as state tax commissioner.
W. II. Osborne. present commissioner,
rendered his resignation. The entire
membership of the senate, excepting
Larkin and lillian. voted to confirm
Smith, the appointee of Governor
Bryan.
In his letter of resignation directed
to the governor and state senate,
Osborne stated that with the governor
determined to have man of his own
choosing as state tax commissioner,
and as he fOsborne) was not the gov
ernor's choice he felt it would be ut
terly impossible to work in har-
mony with the governor and do his
duty toward the state and taxpayers.
The resignation was placed on file.
A report of the majority members
of the investigation committee ap-
pointed to investigate Smiths fitness
for the office was read. The majority
members were Reed and wilkins. re-
publeans.
Majority Opinions.
The report stated. in effect, that
when Charles W. Pool. secretary OF
state. and Smith weren't holding po-
litical offices they engaged in real
estate business together II was set
out that both OF these officials, bust
ness partners, would sit ON the state
board of equalization II Smiths ap-
pointment were confirmed.
In connection with the charge that
Smith drew up the famous Bryan s4.-
900 900 deficiency statement, the com
mittee reported that Smith absolutely
denied being responsible for the fig
ures placed before the public, when
subsequent investigation of com
mittee revealed. it is claimed. that
the Bryan claims were false.
The committee pointed out that
Smith. as editor of newspaper ad.
nitted writing untrue editorials on
state politics furthering the candidacy
of Bryan for governor The commit.
tee stated that with these facts
developed. Il would leave the matter
with the senate body. The committee
called ON Governor Bryan this morn
ing. but no mention of this visit or
the result OF II WAS made IN ths
port
Purcell Makes Report.
A minority report by Purcell. demo.
erat was read. This report. while
not denying the chsAfge made by the
majority that Smith in politics wasn't
all that "A stickler for truth and
veracity would want. chat he was a
statesmen of mueh merit and he de-
served confirmation
Sturdevant n Holt decrled the fact
that Governor Bryan 'vas determined
TO make the office of state tax com
missioner a political football Stur-
devant described an ideal tax commits
sioner as a man Who year by year
through experience became more eff
ficient and Of more value to the stete
However. he admitted that failure TO
confirm Smith. the governor choice
evidently would he the means OF keep
ing up a row for months after the
session at the expense of the taXpay
ers and. therefore. he would vote TO
confirm Smith.
Banning Of Cass declared that II
the senate wished 10 penis" Smith for
false political statements during a
campaign. it should censor every
newspaper IN the state. republican or
democrat.
They ali exagge. ate during cam
paign." Banning said
For weeks it has been known that
confirmation Of Smith vas tie ot the
appointments Bryan wish-d 10 Tif'ch
more than any other