The Omaha guide., 1937-03-13
CROWDS FILL
CHAMBER TO
CAPACITY

The Nebraska legislatures Com
mittee on Government Thursday
evening conducted a hearing on
Legislative Bill $50, providing for
an amendment to the State Con-
stitution, whereby the County Man
ager form of government may be
set up.
The Senate Chamber of the State
Capitol was crowded to the CALLER
les, with 500 Nebraskans from all
over the state to listen to argu-
ments for and against the bill.
Committee members present for
the hearing we're Senators Cady,
chairman; E. Adams, Norton, Won
Seggern, Johnson, Ashmore, Nj
cheram, Miller and others Senator
John Adams, jr., also listened to
the arguments.
Both Sides Speak
Speaking on behalf of the bill
we're A. w. Gordon, Walter Pier
pont and John B. Horton, jr. Mr..
Horton drew the wrath of the OPP
position by his state that he repre-
scented 10000 citizens of Omaha,
Nebr., and those $4,000 citizens
were favorable to the bill.
Davis Steals" Show :
After Attorney Eugene D o.
Sullivan and J. R. O'Neal had adj
dressed the committee, Attorney
Charles F. Davis joined the former
speakers in opposition to the bill,
based his attack upon Theory of
Our Form of Government" saying
in part, Sitting in this chamber, l
have noticed carved overhead the
motto of the great state of Nebr
Equality before the Law l won
der how many of this committee
and this audience are mindful of
the price paid for the right to
inscribe that motto-a cost in blood
strife and supreme sacrifice.
Equality befor the Law was at
tanned for some persons around the
years of 1776. At that time, to a
portion of the population, it had
real meaning. To another portion,
it meant nothing until after the
year of 1865. Equality before the
law in truth and in fact exists on
ly at the ballot box. For that rea-
son, citizens conscious of the price
paid for his equality r opposed
to this bill, providing for appoint
ment rather than election of our
officials. We are opposed to GEN.
t~ralization of power in any per-
son and wish to retain our right
to ballot"
Reprimands Misrepresentation
Dealing with Mr.. Horizons state
ment that he spoke for 10000 Ne
groes of Omaha in favor of this
bill, Mr.. Davis said, "I shall not
presume upon the intelligence of
this committee by telling you that
I represent $4,000 or 10000 Negros
of he State of Nebraska. I do say
that l am one of those Negroes
who, realizing the terrific price
paid to obtain the right to elect
our officials am opposed to sur
render that right eve in an infin-
tesimal degree; and further, | be-
1ieve | voice the sentiment of ev-
cry intelligent and right thinking
Negro of Nebraska when / say we
are u~nalterably opposed to any
measure wherein an attempt is
made to deprive us of the right to
participate in the selection of our
public officials"
A thunder of applause manifest
ed the appreciation of the crowd.
After quiet was restored, Senator
Won Seggern requested permission
to ask Mr.. Davis a question. Sena-
tor Won Seggren said, "Don't you
believe the people should have the
right to vote on this question of
constitutional amendment
Answer Breaks Up Hearing
Davis replied, q" shall answer
Jour question in this manner You
Mr.. Senator, nor any of the men,
bers Of this committee o the leg
i~sIature campaigned upon a plat
form to change our basic law; not
having campaigned or been elected