The Omaha guide., 1934-07-07
ROBERT SMTTH-REPUBLICAN
THE MAN THE PUBLIC SERVANT - HI
CANDIDATE FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR
By Sidney J. Cullingham


Robert Smiths interest in the aver
age man His parents, coming from a
long line Of farmers, ministers and
professional men, were born in Aber
decnshire, Scotland and moved to
County Wexford, Ireland, after their
marriage in Aberdeen in 1856. Rob-
crt was the sixth of seven children.
The family immigrated to Omaha in
1880 and at the age of IS Robert
went to work. His first job was as a
laborer in excavating a basement, for
which he received twenty five cents
a day In his second job he doubled
his wages and received fifty cents a
day. Subsequently, as a youth, he
worked for the local as a printers
"devil' in a newspapers office and
then, for eleven years, as clerk, sales
man, bookkeeper and general assist
ant in the grocery store of William
Fleming.
In 1896, Robert Smith and an as
sociate employee purchased one of
the Fleming grocery stores. Four
years later, Mr.. Smith bought out his
partner and the store was conducted
under the firm name of Robert Smith
and Brother until 1903.
On April 3rd., 1902 Robert Smith
was married to Edna B. Edison, of
Albion, Nebraska. They have five
children-three daughters who are
school teachers, one son, a lawyer
and n son a student in college.
There is nothing new in Robert
Smiths sympathy for the oppressed
and the unfortunate. As a grocer in
the "hard times" Of the "~nineties" he
extended credit generously to men
who could not pay for the food which
he supplied. AS a member of the
Douglas County Insanity Commission
for twenty-six years, he acted wisely
and judiciously for the best interests
of the afflicted, comforting stricken
families with the sincerity of his I'M
derstanding. The Douglas County
Insanity Comtnisson deals with about
$50 cases each year.
There is nothing unexpected in
Robert Smiths declaration for ef-
ficiency and economy in the admin
~istration of public office. During the
years 1900, 1902, Mr.. Smith served
as a member of the Omaha Board of
Education. His activity in uncover
ing official irregularities, in enforc-
ing economy and in reforming pro-
cedure led to his appointment, in
1905, as County Auditor. In that
office, in a single year, he saved the
County $4,000 by demonstrating to
the County Board the extravaganza
of existing methods of purchasing
supplies. The record thus made re-
suited in his election as Clerk of the
District Court
When Mr.. Smith took office as
Clerk Of the District Court, he found
that the County had just lost $4O,-
900 from failure to collect fees.
Partly by his administrative eff
cheney, partly by the enactment Of
new legislation which he prepared
and championed, he converted the
office into a money maker for the
County treasury. Every County in
the State profited by this legislation
prepared by Mr.. Smith. During his
administration Of this office he has
turned over to the Treasurer a total
Of S223.774 after the payment Of all
expenses. Long hours of painstaking
hard work. careful attention to de-
tail and deserved loyalty of capable
subordinates contributed to this suc-
cessful achievement.
When Mr.. Smith became Clerk Of
the District Court, he found an or
ganized graft in the cashing of jury
warrants, jurors being charged IN
exorbitant discount because the
County was unable to take up war
rants until six to twelve months had
elapsed To break up this graft, Rob
bert Smith borrowed money at the
banks on his personal note, paid the
interest out of his W pocket, and
paid the jurors in cash andin full.