Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 30, 1886, Page 2

9 4 THE OMAHA DAILY 3 BEF THURSDAY. DECEMBER 30. 1886, D ———— e e U — CITY RALROAD TAXATION, it Debat sterday Before Omaha Charter Committee, THE ATMOSPHERE GROWS WARM the T hreo-Cornercd Fusilade Between A, J. Poppleton, B, Rosewater and W. . Connell—A Decidedly Racy Meeting! The Charter Committee. There was a falr attendance of members at the meeting of the charter amendinent com- mittee yestorday afternoon, The first ques- tion disenssed was that ol raliway taxatio As he had previously annonnced his inten tion to do, City Attorney Connell reported his amcadment providing that the vroper of rallway and teloeraph companics assessed for taxation the same as that ottier corporations and individuals, Mr. Poppleton obiected, 1o held that the amendment was to the contempt of the com- mittee—hnd no bisiness there, Mr. Connell said that he had followed right fn the line of other chianges offered. It the comnittee objected, it was simply a matter of striking ont a very fow lines from the pages already prepared with amendments, which {n nine cases out of ten have been approved by the committee, Mr. Poppleton sald he did not Like to see the amendment o in. Mr. Connell said it was to subject the rai way and the telegraph property to the same tax precisely as the property of other corpora- tions and fneividuals, on the theory that there is no reason why these companies should not pay for maintaining the polico department, fi partment, and other neces- sary expenses of the city, preciseiy the same a8 he was to do, and the same o8 railway, told- phone eompany, and every oth corporation in the except the railway and telegraph companles, wero required to do. Mr. Poppleton hudreinarked on another ocension th of all at lie did 1ot propose to engage in any side controversy or curbstone debate. he kpeaker advoc the amendment on the theory that it was right, and can be d ended upon principies of riciit and cannot e successfully opposed or resisted in any heory of fair and just taxation. ‘The ques- tion hiad arfsen in court, where Mr, Popnle ton filed a petition asking for an injunction. The speaker had asked bim the question: SO the eliarter were amended 8o as (o give a clear right to wake this tax in this way, would it not be constitutional, and in yoir Judgment would it not be in conflict with the present law?” s recollection was that Mr. Poppicton saia it wauld. Mr. Poppleton: L did not say any such thing, 1sald IF if was putin the charter it would repeal the general revenue law to the extent it wonld affvet probubly as against tie general revenue. Mr. Connell: The general law was not in- tended to cover this, und 1t is only by strained and foreed construction of it by the ilroad people that it is allowed to cover railrond vroperty for municipal purnoses. he law is evidontly framed with respeet to county and state taxes Mr. Chase: How I8 it with other cities? Mr. Connell: Tam not familiar with other cities. ‘Tne district court of Toledo, 0., has just rendered a decision in the matter of rail- road taxes. The Wabash road, in order to* escape the levy, has hitherto had it asscssed in the lump and prorated by countics. But the treasurer of the county assessed the depots and grounds apart from the prorate, and tho court has now sustained the assess- ment as a justone. Itis nght, isn'tit? I am Lonest i my conviction thiat railroad property ought to be taxed the same as tue property of eitizens. r. Poppleton moved tlie adoption of the soction asit was agreed upon and recom- mended by the committee. Seconded by Mr, Chase, Mr. Rosewater: Mr. Chairman, when 1 was liero last, it was my itention not to take part in the deliberations of this commitiee again, ‘Io me personally this committeo seemed inclined not to take a broad and 1ib- oral view of the very important questions which are involved in framing this charter. It appearcd to me that its action In some respects was 80 narrow-ganged and so utterly incompatible with the great’ duty it has to Frfimn as representative of the tax-payers, [ houghit perhaps it would be best at once -to cut short and say nothing, Because after all the responsibility is with our legislative dele gation, who could readily understand that what this committee had done was largely in its privato interest, and not in the interest of the people who have sent the delegation to represent Douglascounty in the legislature, But 1 bave concluded once more to take urt in your deliberations, because I was no- itled thiat there would bo Important matter diseussed to-day. uld bave my own way, I would have this conmittee take wider latitude on the whole question of city taxation by simply inserting four lines That the property of all corporations shall b taxed for munleipal purposes just the sam as tho property of individuals, M. Connell: T only four lines as it is. Alloxeept railroad and tolegraph con panies aro taxed. Mr. Rosewater: Tdonot sceany necossity for even admitting for one momentthat thora I Buloh i great injuisiice and such a one-sided systoi of Jawmaking as the exemption of any eluss of property from a proper sharo of taxes. 1 have talked with oue of the clreuit Judues of the United States on this question, and 1f the railroad peoplo are determined b stand stubbornly in tho way of their own [n- torest and resist fair dealing, this question I8 going to ho broughiht up in “the courts. say that the timo will come wien this whole revenue Iaw will be knocked to pleces asa fraud. It 18 & mockery of justice which will not be ner- mitted. “There is nothing in the constitution of this state whick authorizes it and 1_have 10 hichest legal authority for saying that if W tost case was made in tho federal courts not i Nebraska; but in lowa or Ohio by some outside property owner, our whole tax system would have to be revised. Tha tact is this, the con- stitution of the stato of Nebraska says that the property of all corporations shall be taxed just thie samoe as that of individual not only corporation property, but their fran- chises, . Now In the eity of Omala fhere are ovor L000" lots exempted from We published two years ago 200 lots that have never beon assessed or Jevied upon, Smce that time the Buriineton railroad has built roads which will eortuinly increase the nunber to over 1o, 1 belieye that tully 10 per cent of the entive property of this eity yields no tax for munieipalipurposes 1€ tliert 1s any nian that ean stand ore A defend such tax-shirking I want to look at i, Mx, Poppleton : tons !ikie thess toare mad week and year aftor year ure not true in faet, The place we want to weet thisguestion is i the courts, My, Rosewater: ‘The court has chanee to pass on question A warin eross-fire of word place which the reporter was unable to record. My, Popnleton: 1 riseto a question order. Slander of the courts is out of p before thiseommitteo. 1 nope that Mr, Rose water's stenographer will take what 1 say us well as what Mr swater says. | rise toa Tiais eommitteo should not 15@ of the state aud federal courts, water:—1 bave wade no reference ate courts. 1 shoply speak of # test fn the foderal courts of somie oth state, whero the rights of the spoetod and protoeted. 1 am not practieing betore the eourts of Nebraska and have no favors 1o ask of foderal judwes, 1 awm not Biraid of this court of justice, 1 think a day of techoning will come belore lon, Wear Bhoply assing that the 1,000 lots “located in The eity of Omaha owned by railroad come nies st y their just proportion of tho Qity’s taxes, Lo sowerage of (his eity drains gheso 1ots; the police of this city proteet the gorporste proparty against raids; ibe tive do Lwant to say that os had a not ruent that we maintain at public ex- | nse protects thel Wings, “Tho wen wha represent the rail enjoy all the v they huve 116 adv blie sctioo antained ot exponse. Why not thos | lpur&m's‘.’ it is stated here that h‘"\“& e trith about these untaxed lots. have published a deseription of lots " “as takon from the oounty recopds. 1f theso records are iweors Lam nob to biawe, 3 l“gmww They are taxed for all thal, ou do not know the law r. Rosewater; I think 1 know as much the revenue law as Mr. Popploton. Jrte law provides that the assessuont of all railroad property . shall bo made by state ofticers as a board of equalization, Mr. Poppleton: ‘This is a mistake, law provides only for roilways that throngh more than one county. Mr. Rosewater: All right; that doe make any difference. Mr. Poppieton: It makes all the difference in the world. 1f you build a railread wholly within the limits of a county itis assessed the connty Resessors, v, Connell: Do you know of ¢ e Mr. Poppleton: The Belt railrond. Mr. Rosewater: I will ask yon another question ; is the property of the railroads of this state assessed the same as other property? Mr. Poppleton: It is assessed in accord Ance with the Iw of the state, Mr. Rosewat v in ac with the constititiol Mr. Poppleton agrarian friend: Inw This pass not ordance Iy don't sc help you to ch Mr. Rosewater: The constitution says that all property shiall bear its due proportion of public taxes and be assessed alike propeity of Individuals and corporatic cept railroads, i appraised by the pr nsseesor after proper inquiry and inspection “The railrond projerty seessed by three men at Lineoln, who never viow the prop. erty and know nothing about it except whi ther rad manngers seo fit to report, This isin violation of the spirit of the constitu: tion, It not of its letter. All property shonld bo asseesed alike. The assumption that municipal taxes sho not be imposed upon this species of property is unjust and un- reasonable, Bills have been introduced to remedy this wrong in every session of the legisiature for the last ten v s, but the rail- road fobby has defested them, Suppose that all_our streets and public highways were wrndually given up to the railroads, and- lots along these strents we ted from ety taxes, how would we maintain the city gov- ermnent? Iy it right? 1 don't whit action this commitiee takes the people of Omahia look to their delogation to do its duty without fear or favor. Mr. Counell: 1 would like to hear Mr, Poppleton on this question, and give any renson why this proposed change is not just and right. I would like to have him explain why the property of the Union Pacitic” rail- way should be taxed on a diffcrent basis t property of the Belt line railroad is taxed. nother words, why not ought all the cor- porations be taxed alike? Mr. Poppleton: 1 know perfectly well the obfect of these geutlemen in coniing here Wil their steno-rapher. They are welcome to all there §s in it, but’ I think that when they do so they put themselyes outside the pale of the right to nsk questions and to nsk for auy exposition of 1his subject. 1 said when this matter was up before that L would not diseuss this question excepy in court, | am not poing to waste my time to make a public record for myself, 1 eame to assist in aming a charter that would be adopted, Rosewater comes here to tell you that is all uoconstitutional. In other words he wants this nmittos 1o )18 unon a question of constititutional law, The only answer I have to that is that the supreme court of the state has declared that itis constitutional, He cowmes b d telly yon that this property is not taxed—that it does not bear any of the city expenses. My answer is that it s untrue o fact. It doos bear city tax. ‘Lhe only differencs is that its valuation is taken from' the valuation made by the state board of_equalization. ‘This is all the diffcrence. _ Now another question in respect to the poliey of tho law, I think it is pretty gencrally true in the' states of the Jnion that there are two methods of taxation of railroads: one is by percentage on’ gross earnings; the other isby a valuation of the railway which extends into oue or more counties by a common aszessing board-a state board. It is easy to see what the reason of that is. A railway extends through a state or two counties; you take it and cut it in two at the county lines and assess each portion separately, and it is not worth anything, Its Valuo 1o In I8 entiroty and. you cannot assess it otherwise. You cannot value this Rroperty without looking at it as n wholo ‘e supreme court of the United States in a case that went up from Wyonming decidod that this was a *usruuu equitable method of assessment, and that it was impossible to riive at a just valuation of railways in any other way. Acting on that policy as long "ngo as 187, and even before that, this state 'adopted that method of assessing railways and it bas been in vogue ever since. Nobody has com- plained of It except some of the towns that thought that this distribution of value along the line of the road was unjust, and the sarue towns have sought to assess il the roll- ing stock at 1he terminus of the road. Now the same reasoning thut the ventlemon In- dulge in would tax all the rolling stock, all the Pullman ears, all the engines— taxed here in Douglas county. Ey car, eaboose, every side track, eve every building, every freight house, over: acpot, is a part of the entire road, and shouls be tréated as such. The whole road now stanas assessed—zll real estate belonging to the railroad that js not used dircetlv in its operation, apart from the depot grounds, is assessed. We pay a loeal tax upon the head- quarters’ building and upon a number of other structures a3 detined by the law. 1 do not recollect the exact terms of the law. Now when this valuation is made the city takes its valuation for the length of road within the eity limits from the state board for purposes of taxation. It gets down to tho simple question of jurisdiction, if any lot is wrongfully sed by the city board, Mr. Rosi In‘what way do the rail- s pay city Wiy should not tare leased by the Tailroads pay v of your 1ge the taxes? Mr. Poppleton: I with the whole road, Mr. Rosewater: What proportion of city lave you paid on your tillion dollar’s worth of property in Oalin? M. Poppleten: Why bother this commite tuo with sich questions? 'This 13 a state mat- ter, and it looks very el like impertinence for this committeo to undoer o to recom- mend a change that would revolutionize the whole revenue law of the state, in an amend- ment to the city charter. Now this matter has been gone over. ‘This section was passed upon—was recommended by this_cominitt as it was chanved at that time. Mr, Conne sald he was going to move an amendment, | do not think it was right to have his ament ment incorporated in his general report, ‘Tho umitiee should not undertake 1o revolu- tionizo a method that has been in yozue fifteen vears. 1f the wants fo assess railways from what they do now the is in tho legislature, 1t b peatedly in the legislature and out with & hurrah, but wheu leZislature comes to understand—when it comes to dis- cuss and know the reason why property is assessed in this way, every lezislature has o it down and in iny opinion it will do it Mr, Connell: If your railrond company 15 already paylng eity taxesupon a full and fair vatuation of all railroad proverty, why do you objcet to this additional elause. Mr. roppleton: Becauso it simply breaks up another system of assessment and toe very object is {o prevent its having a fair dis- tribution, They want to eut it off and tax it nsn separate thing when it sbould be dis- tributed over the line, Mr, Connell: L move that the further con- sideration of this amendment bo postponed until Priday afternoon at 2 o ki that it be made & special ovder of business for that time, and that th stary 1equire every membe 0 10 be prosent at that tim The motion ried. Mr, P gronnds that i 50 they are assessed been up re- Iways starts sond was ear- ng on the a lown meet- recelving a would ke it A'large pumber pased of withou ulating for the making of stead of in Ju according to the new ns were then dis. The section reg- \ts was changed to provi. wssessinents 1w October | The tax_levy, after 1857 charter, Will be made in January, Under the head of sidewalks and street improvements an addition was mad e council authority to park and se lmprove and beautity the cels and alleys of the eity, The question ot authorizing “the couneil to furnish ma- terial and employ men on grading and other city fmprovements came up for discussion, and was mude o special order of business for Priday afternoon, T alire and police commissioner was taken up and discussed until 5 o'clock, when an journuent was taken without final action until 2 o'clock this afternoon. A New Firm, Moss rner & Gray, the former of Chicago aud the latter of New Yor re the latest addition to the list of wholesale dealprs in gents' furmshing goods, with the special line of hats, eaps, gloves and straw goods. They have epened in the seoond and third of 1011 and 1013 Farnam street storie Merchants Hotel, Omabn, Nat Brown, Prop. #2 per day. Cor. 16th und Farnam All street ears from depot pass house. three | question of creatings | Legal Advertising—A Home For Ddi- | tors—Officers For the Ensning Year—Needed Legistation— Other Local Notes, The Nebraska Editors, The time of the average country editor is fully occupied, especially so at the enda of the year, when in his capacity as editor, business manager, advertising agent and bill collector, he is working day and night to settle up his ac- counts for the year. “Lhis fact accounts for the small attendance of the annual meeting of the Nebraska State Press association, which was called to order by President Cor- rell at the Milliard hotel at® o'clock last evening., Those responding in theroll call | were: 5. M. Correll, Hebron Journal; H. M. | Bushnell, Lincoln burean of the Bre: J. | Craig, Crete Globe; J. Montgomery, Benneit Union; D. W. Butier, Oseoola Record; J, W. Hammond, Salem Index; F. S, Hassler, Table Rock Argus; K. Whitcomb, Friend Telegram: J. A, Macmurphy, Wahoo Wasp: Atlee Hart, Dakota City Eaglo: D, F. Davis. Columbus Democrat; 1. B. Cun- ningham, Kearney Journal; B, M. Gould- ing, Lincoln News’ bureau; J. L. MeDonagh, Ord Demoerat; John H. Bloom, Courtland Journal; B. B. Bloom, Liberty zette, L. W. Hastings, Aurora Itepubli- cans W, D. Hart, Minden Gazette; R. B, Claiborn, Holt County People. Secretary . M. Bushnell read the minutes ting hetd in Livcoln in v, which were approved. PRESIDENT CORRILL'S ADDRESS, E. M. Correll, of the Hevron Journal, presi- dent of the association, said that in the ab- senee ot any order of business t! could be found in the imaginary constitution or un- known by-laws of the association, he would submit his annual address, which he read as follow: ntiemen of the Nebraska Press Associa tion: 1esteem it a privilece and a p! e on this important occasion to extend cordial greetings to you all, and to express the hope that the friondship and frateraal feclings amone the members of our association may be increased and cemented at this our annu- al meoting. It is also my duty to present for your con- sideration and such setfon, if an, s you nay deem proper, a brict statement of ‘the present condition 'of the associution, and report of transactions since the last annua meeting. ‘The condition of the association is such as to afford us all o subject for mutual congrat- ulations. Never before in its history has the society been as large and prosperdu now is. The Iast regular annual meeting was i January, 1583, From that_date until the 2 - iebruary, 1883, no meeting of the ociation was'liold. ' On the latter date, at a special ealled weeting held in Lincoln, the present ofticers of tlie association were elected, The by-laws were also amended providing for the anuual election of oflicers n December instead of January,as foruerly, Wiile this action has shortened the torm of the present officers to ten months, they fecl so well satistied with the arrangement that no question of constitutionality will be raised —although eases reported in the 110th Patagonia and 00th Alaska seemn to settlo the point that our successors in office cannot draw any part of our princely salaries for the two months in issue, EXCURSION OF 1886, ‘The anticipations relative to the Nebraska Fditorial excursion of 158 were more than realized, and the encomium it received as the most extensive and successful state edi- fiorial excwision on record,” was deserved. So far &s our information extends, no_excur- sion takon by the editorial association of any other state has L‘(}I|I\|I3l] it in the essen- tinl and distinetive features of distance and duration of trip, route traversad, number of party and courtesics received. A brief men- ton " of the trip may not be Inappropriate here, The excursionlsts met in the city of Omaha, August 5thy, where they were re- ceived with distinguished consideration by the Board of Trade of the metropolis of No- brasks, taken over the city and its expand- ing suburbs in carriages, given an elegant banquet, and started off on their long journe; with pleasant memories — of Omahw's hospitality. — As the guests of the Union Paciiic, they traveled through the fine and varied scenery of the inst thousand and thirty-two miles west- ward, with a side trip to "Park City, Utah. At Bidney they were presented wiill sp tacular démonstration—an old Black hills stage coach being decorated swith the vrodue- tions of a region onco considered a desert, but now rapidly winning recognition asan agricaltural countr S, military band stationed there also gave the party number of fine selections, At Leho our Pullman taken by special engine to Park City, where the ofticers of the Ontario silver mine took the party through their e ensive shafts, drifts and reducing work: EFrom Ogden the party sped westward ovor tho Central Paeifie through the wonderful scenery of Utah, Nevada und Californin to 1 IFranciseo, A week illed in in this ity and vicinity. One of the trips of most interest to many was a ride in the govern- wment . vessel (generously placed at our disposal by General Howard) on the of Francisco and cut through Golden ou the swells of the broad Another ride of much interest was a trip as guests of the San Franciseo & North- ern Pacific railroad to its terminus at Cloyer- dale, through the productive, fruit-zrowing country of the Sonoma valley. On the return trip, after leaving San Francisco, the party wis the honored guest of the city of Sae ramento, where the Nebraskans were taken around the city in carringes and given a ban- quet by the Pioneer club, Not the least of the atlentions shown the editors while in the capital eity of California, was the adjourn- ment ol thie senate (then T session) i thelr Lonor. Returning over the Central Pacitie, our arty was wet at Ogden by the mayor and couneil of Salt Lake City, Who canie to wel. come and conduct us to the noted metropolis of Latter Day Saints, A trip to Garficld, bath in and steamboat ride on the great Salt Lalke, asimilar trip to Lake park, aview of many objects of interest in the cify and 4 bhanquet atthe governor’s mansion were a few of the prominent features of the visit 1o this great city of the deser From Salt Lake City, of Denver & Lo passed thiough the ful seenery of the Gunnison, rode the pantini ongines as they elimbed and descended the dizzy heights of Marshall pass, traversed the ma; ut Grand canon of the Arkansas, and to Manitou with its varied attrac: tions, Then on to Denver, maglc city of the lains. From Denver, again as guests of the nion Pacifie, up through the roeky cliffs of Clear Creek eanon and back. Then the at tractions of Denver, “Phen bomeward over the broad prairies of Colorado and Nebrask. as guests of the B, & M,; then, * warm hand-clasps and parti Such is a condensed ontl wiles in length and of three we But 1 do not attempt a deserip plaing, tow wonntains, trowning canous, lakes and waterfalls, of architectural und engineering ~achiev ments, It would be almost to wake such an attempt n 1t thue 1 way elaim your attention. ) only say in this brief niention of an ex- cursicn worthy volumes of eloguent deserip- tion, 1 ame back with a wealth of in- eflac » medories of grandeur and beauty ; with delighifui recollections of personal at- and kindnesses, and of ws bestowed through us all upon the nd youug commonweaith we came frou. > brought baek enlarzed ideas aud broader coneeptions of the extent, enterprise, wealth and power of our greal uation, And last, but by 1o meaus least, we attalned a loftier appreciation of the universality of Alerican courtesy, intellizence and energy. 1 should bo indeed derelict in duty on this oceasion if, while in general terms mention- ing many attentious received, { did not es- becially express our krateful appreciation of the Tavors showa the Nebraska Mr. . W . Morse, of the Union Pacific, Mi Eustis, of the B. & AL, and Mr. Dicae 5 it sizhit-seeing as the guests Grande, we eks' du ou of the vast of the Western Unlon telogravh line | sonthern While upou the subject uf excursions it is | Suggested that a widter tip through the tates, with 4 Wpek in Washington city, might not be upfeyorably received by the association—espiciglly as there are many editors who might be befger able o ga in the winter than in thé signmer. Intimations have also been received that a trip to the City of Mexico is within the robabilities of the association, These sug tions may be “filed for fiture refesence’ by my suceessor. If it be but a step (xoyh gay to grave, L ay bo pardoned for making a rapid transition from the pleasures of our profession to its evils Among the evils ‘most plained of by publisiers is LACK OF SUPPORT. plaint, the publishing frateruity is itsclf most to blame, ‘The newspaper business is subject to the same priveiplos that apply to other kinds of businese, Did it never oc to you, my journalist student of political ceonomy, that there could be produc tion™ in the field of newspaperdoin as well as in the wheat field? Did you never reason froni the law of compensations and values that if your paper did not bring in many shekels 10 your coffers it was because it was valued Tow on the market? And is it not also a true proposition that whother the lack of appreciation on the market was de- served or undeserved, the result on your pocket was the same, and that you shouid therefor bandon a field that was unpro duetive? There is too much of UNNECESSA COMPETITION anmonz publishers, This is true of cities g well as towns, and is perhaps one of the nrincipal reasons why colossal fortunes in the newspaper business are like tho often-men- tigned dental appendages of hens, Newspavers are too’ often established in towns with 1o “long felt want” to be fitle In sucli instances, ‘the newspepers them- soon develop symptoms of n felt want” disease—the want of funds, ‘They strugele on in & pre- carious existence until some kind-hearted sheriff with a enattel mortgage,attachment or execution mercitully puts then out of s ery. - In some places, often mere vitlages, of from 200 to 500 inhabitants, two papers fiereely contend for the seanty patronage in- sufticient for one, Some localities that” have been the burial places for newspaver ente prises, Lime after time, continue to find san- guine’ publishers who fondly may an grow fat where others starved, tomary result follows Ancther reason why newspaper men do ;gut prosper better is because they are the vie im 1 frequ STUPENDOUS SYSTEM OF SPONC 8o far as 1 know, there is noother bt as creatly vietimized in this resy state, county and town, which ought to be the publishers’ most liberal pateons, are the worst beg With unnumbered millions ot wealth and large income from taxes, tiey take the publisher's space, which is his capi- without returning eyen thanks, Then, | s the leaves that strew ‘The brooks of Vallambrosa,” come raids on his subscription 1 vortising space, and his job Churehcs, Sunday schools, kewing societio: aid socicties, library, socletics, temperanc societios, sceret societies and eharitable societios, inuumerable, and as ageressive as the cannons at Balaklava-— Societles to the right of thens Societies to the left of th Rally and plunde Socleties in front and re Societies afar and near; Societies without number, —and I might touehingly add: And 50 on and on'ad infinitun, Societies of every kind to bite 'bm, In so fmportant & category we ought not to omit the very earnest and - energetic commit- toe that deniands *free’ a colunin announce- ment, a long editorial notice, vosters, tickets and programs for a meeting to raise funds to send fans and parasols to the Esquimaux and embroidered stockings to the natives of Africa. But {0 enumerate all the evils aficting the long suffering newspaper man would weary us. Lot us dismiss the unpleasant topic with the pious remark made by the devout woman who heard her husband had been killed— “Ihank heaven it is no worse!” RECOMMENDATIONS “The secretary will present for vour consiil- eration the quéstion af_securing a lot on the Chautanqua grounds at.Crete. Should your decision be In the aflirmative. it _is respect- fully recommended that early steps be taken to erect a commodious and attractive build- —a structure befitting tho importance of our state and the dignity of our associat It is also recommended that in cony with aresolution passed at our Insta meeting, a committee be clected to look after legislation tavorable to our interests, Among the special features of their work should be an enactment for the general publication of the laws for public benetit, OUR_PROFESSION, The profession of journalism is worthy the st efforts of its vot Let us be our profession. Cardinal Richelieu nized the necessity of worthiness as a condition to influence and power when he said: “In the hands of men supreinel ] The pen is mightier than the sword.” ©1n no other profession do men oceupy, to 50 great a dezree, the dual and almost mystie relation of direct and reflex impress upon that wonderful mamspring of soeial and political action we call public opinion. The press, though often prostituted —and misused, is yet the at power the eivilized world, It is the reat educator of wankind, the protector of their zhts and the avenger of eir wrongs. Lo its fostering carc civilization owes its most brilliant achievements and progress its noblest triumphs, Under its protection oppression retires abashea before the calm advance of liberty. Under its guaraianship enlightenment tenderly guards the hi zhest hopes and aspirations of human- ity. To inertness and retrogression, to g norance and wiong, it is the fate of do- struction through th power of ligit, bug { mankind secking a loftier piane of thought and aetion, itis an inspiration and a heip. I take much pleasure in returning my thanks to the efiicient seeretary, Mr, 11, M, Bushnell, for his very able and'earnest co- operation. 1t now only remains for me to tender fo the members of ‘the Nebraska I'ress association my carnest acknowledgments for their uni- form courtesy and kindness to their presi- dent. 1 biglily esteem their good will, e- canse Lam vroud of the abi noble manhood of the journalists o braska. Secretary Bush wing that there are seventy-nine members of the association, including the nine addizic made since the meeting was called to order, His weport of finances tallied with that of Preasurer K. Whiteomb, 10 the effect that the assets and liabilities o1 the association were equal, LEGAL PRINTING, M. J. A, Macmurphy, of the Walioo Wasp, 14 pointed paper on legal printing, fle claimed that while the working men, furm- 5, rallroads and all other 508 [ clamoring for legislative benelits, the editors of the state had received no legislative wotection — of their — rights, It had heen the custom of law-makers when econo mic lezislation was ealled for to cut down the rate for publie printfng, He demanded in the name ot 1 ay an @qual division of fees and that tl Id not bo en firely stripped of rights. The farniers are the gfeatest grumblers about the laws they make themselves, 1'he school teachers, editors @ud preachers are seldom scen in‘the legislature and bave suf- fered mors from lggislation than all other classes. 1t is directly to the farmer’s interests that good wmen are kept ac the head of the country papers and’ they can only ba kept there by honest fees promptly The trouble was with the gidors ih a great measire, They should stina united and de- mand a aniforin and justake for the pubtiea- tion of all legal notices apd, the publication of all the laws In at least{ tijo papers in each county, ESOLUTIONS 01 A cominitlee consistingtof: Messrs, ( ing, Macmurphy aud Whitcomb, the owing - resolutions, “which ~ were adopted, upon the death of W Putney, formerly of the Fairmount Signal, a wewmber of the association Whereas, An Allwise Providence hias called from the field of labor our worthy friend and coworker W. A. Putnoy, of the Fair- wount Signal esolved, That the association has sadly suffered in his loss: that the state has lost &i able editor and the 'people an able defender of thelr rights and interests snd his wite and family a kind husband and father, tesolved, That we tender to the family of the deccased our tenderest sympathy. Resolved, That @ copy of these resolutic be forwarded to the family, and be spread upon the records of the assoclation. State AONDORENCE sl presented | papers are requested to publish the above, AN EDITOR'S HOME. Secretary Bushuell presented & provosition rom F. I Foss, of Crete, president of the Nebraska C. L. & B. C,, requesting the asso- ciation 10 unile in @ movement for the esiab- lishment of an editor’s day duriug the next Chautauguan conveution, which will be held in Crete, commeneing June 50, 1557, and last- ing lourteen days The proposition alse | | | | requoested the association to select some news. rn;u man_of national reputation who will e securod 1o deliver an address upon editor’s day, It was also proposed to wive th assoclation the lease of a lot upon which shall be ted an ¢ itor's home for the use of ¢ isiting the convention I'he schieme met of the association, Foss was accepted, and George W, Cliulds, of the Philadeiphin Ledwer; Honri Watterson, of the Loulsville Courler: Colonel Pierce, ot the Inter Ueean: Judge Goodwin, of the Salt Lake Tribu ol 1 Pat Donovan, of tt Bismarck Tribune; Bill Nye and Bob Bu lette, named as among the men trom whom it was desired Mr, Foss to select a_spoaker, A committe onsisting of . M. Bushnell, J. W, Cralg and J. A, Macmurphy was a pointed to prepa prosramme for editors’ day and to take steps looking to the ercetion of the editor’s home, ELECTION OF OFFICER President, H. M. ushnell, of Lincoln: first vice president, I Morisey, Omaha: second vice president, Whiteomb, Friend: third ce president, L, B. Bunningham, Kearne secretary, J. A Macmurphy, Wahoo: treqs: urer, F. I), Davig, Columby The ent elect was authorized to select six m s of the exccutive committe BEFRESITMENTS, election of officers 5 was taken for the lunch that was pr nts of the Millard, Upon reassembling the question of the pas s of suit; 2 legislation in the lnte publishers, the publications of state I the necessary was referred to a committee consisiing of the president, tho first vice-president and secre tary with full power to net. STANDING COMMITTEES Mr. Bushnell, the present, then took the chair and nunounced the following standing commitiees On Advertising—D. M. Butler, O:ceola, Record: 1. W. Hastivgs," Aurom, Republi: can: Atlce Hart, Dakota City, Eagle. On Legal Printing.—Janies Ewin River, Gazetteos F. Whiteomb, Frien graph’s J. L. Oliver, Fairfiold’ News. On Job Printine.--£. M, Correll, Hebron Journal; Perey Pepponn, Falis City, Journal; J. L MeDonough, On Cireulation.—F. 8, Hassler, Table Rock A : John H. Bloom, Courtland Journal, M. L. ‘Thomas, Holdrege Republican. A committee was then appointed to rev by laws as tollows: B, Il Goulding, J. i, J. Montgonery. Thanks were tondered (0 Mr. Frank Me- Donald, manager of the Millard hotel for courtisies showh the association, 1t was decided that an adjourned meeting be 1l at Lincoln during the sessic ol the Tegisiature, the president to decido the time and make ihe call, with the heart After the thirty minut A’ ne Wood Tele — STOOD ON HIS HEAD, A Kansas Land-Seceker Jumps From a Nebraska Train, A passenger arviving here last night, yesterday when the train on Fremont Elkhorn & Missouri Valley road was between the stations of Ewing and states that Inman and running at the rate of twenty- five miles per hour, n man threw himsclf from the platform of one of the cars, and it wus thought he had Killed himself by the fall. The train was stopped and backed and the man was found staggering along the track. He was badly bruised about the head, shoulders and back, and acted like one in a semi-demented condition, te was placed on the train again and & doctor found who claimed that the Jumper had not been seriously injured. The vietim w strengthened by a dose of whisky, from cfféets of the over indulgence in ch he was suffering when he jumped from the frain. Had not the track been lined with a healthy bank of snow, which served to preak his fall, the man would have fared in much different manner. He gave his name as Clark Adams and statod that his home was in Miltonville, Clhud county, Kan. He had beenup to Hay Springs, Cherry county, Neb., look- ing for land, and was on his way home. He was transferred to the Northwestern train at Fremont and gent to Lincoln to which place he was ticketed, whence e will take the train for Kansas. THREE OF A KIND, Suicide Mother and Two Murdared Children Going Kast. The train on the Chicago, St. Panl & Mitwaunkee road, which arrived here last night, conveyed the bodies of three dead people who met their death in a very sad manner at Rushville in this state, a tew nights ago, as recorded in the telegraph colums of the Ben. Two of the party were children, and the third was their mother. The tittle ones were murdered by the mother, who then commitied sii- cide. The remains were in charge of the busband and father, who seemed broken down under his weight of aflliction and refused to talk, He was conducting them to the east for interment, Little Ones In the Annex. Last evening a most entertaining sctiool cxhibition wi ven by the clildren of the school of the Holy Family parish in the annex of the exposition building There were about 500 people in attend- anne. The following programme was very suecessfully rendered Welcome Chotus, the sehool; *4J -Reeitation, M D. McDermott; W Song—Chorus, the school; The Mauro—Dialogue, Miss Buttermilk, Miss A. tannan; Jobnnie Buttermilk, Master A, Houser; Mr. Knight—Clerk, James O'Hanlon; “I Love the Sea'™ the school; “The Music Stool' tion, Miss M. Skannon; Exerci Gymnastics; Entertaining Sister itor— Recitation—Miss A, Grac thenic Song, little ones; Gr mas Eve Surprise Party —Cantata, Grace Wells, Miss C Burkhard; Winnie Ward, Miss D, MeDermott; George Lee, Miss C, Whalan: Susie Gray, Miss Margarett Beck: Bossic Reeves, Miss Millor Mary Dutl, Miss H. Smith, AMUSEMENTS. TEN NIGHTS IN A BAREOOM TO-NIGHT, “Reddie, the Child of the Wilderr introdueed Eva Vincent last evening at the People’s in one of the most breezy and volatile ch ters 1n the frontier drama. It a mixtare of *M'liss,” SChp," “Chisps W other woodland sprites which have long entertained the ater goe It is one of Miss Vincent” most entertaining cha rizations, and was played with abandon ’ and vivacity which eyoked hearty peals of applause. She was wel pporied by her company. ‘The farce of *The Limer- ick Boy,” followed, Mr, J. D. Bernard very entertainingly assuming title role room Emi lnst o sizod audien vluy Aguinst Woman.” This company leaves for Des Moiues, Personal Paragraphs, Mrs, Cyphers, a well known resident of Omalia, left last evening fo City for a protracted yisit with fr A. . Clinton, one of the most popular men of the city of a few months has just returned from a eurveying to tiie wountaivs, N. K. Fairbank & paer asking cong is “Pen Ni Bar- Played oy this will be Ulsler ng at lier theatre, sement en, tc of mo " g the tip (o, are cir ss to repeal the bt ne law rocently passed and are re sting those interested to sign it, Charles ‘Tuggert, formerly one of the clerks in the auditor’s office of the Union Pucitie, after an absence of five months i the wilds of Idaho, is again in the city, Charles 1L - Cowing, of tlits city, who has been in Clicago for sowme time back at work upon the plansof o new packing house for Bouth Omuba, is home on a visit of & few days. Richard Claiburue, the encrgetic editor ws and | nendinents to existing laws | “Woman | of the Holt People, of U'Neill, arrived n town last night and will remain in the city for several days. He is in attenc nee upon the meeting of the Nebraska Press association | YOUK STOCKS, NEW Market Assumes lts Old-Time Bullish Character. | Nrw Yorg, Dee, Special Telegram to | the B market began to | sume old-time bullish character to-day | London cables came In strong, and showed higher prices for nearly all Amecican secur ities in spite of tho f that money quoted in London banks at from 12 to 15 per { cent. The improvements in fc markets | | made shorts anxious to cover, and in add tion the ment of the Reading strike and vumors favorable devel opments to | come out soon regarding Jersey Central and | Reading caused a sharp boom in all coal stocks. Jersey Central advanced to 54, and the talk was that several bull cliques, one of which was controlled by Gould, were operat | Ing in it. The bulls claim that the inter-state | commerce bill would not affect the railroads unfavorably, because the long and short haul clause related to charges in the aggre gate ana not per mile. Vanderbilts were all yery strone, Lake Shore was up again to the ficures current In ante-panic times. 1t clained that a strong clique was buying o and would put it to par befor of January, Among fancies Hinond & West Point was particularly tive, advancing 915 per cent. Western Union was higher, but Gould's brokers were ellers, aud the impression was that he a3 fecdingout the siock. The boom in stocks was more pronounced during the closing hours of the session than atany other time during the day. — Shorts were large buyers, but besides buying to cover there was a good deal of stock taken by pools and by traders who wero counting on a continuation of the boom, Richmond & West Point made a eain of 5% per eent. Coal stocks gained about 5 por cent ana closed very stff, It was reported that Omaba earnings “for the month of December would show an increase of $100,- fon, s i the oxpectation that dividends will be deelared on all Vanderbilt. propertios helped the bull sido materinlly, — ‘The market closed ut about top prices for the day. The total sales were about 400,000 shares, - DOINGS AT VAL, The e stoek ns: was Interesting Newa From a Lively lowa Town, Var, Ta., Dee. 99, —[Correspondence of the Brr A small dwelling house next door to the Vail opera honse canght lire ubout sunset last evening and for a short time the flames blazed fiercely and threatening, but the fire departmont was promptly on the ground and the fire tinguished without very ous damage, the injury by tearing shingles and weatherbonrding being about as great as the damage by fire. The house was owned and occupied by Gus Peterson, a poor lahoring man employed in the rail- way section gang. \erifl Morney came up from Denison yesterday afternoon armed with author- ity to search for contraband merchan- d@ise, but, although it is vopularly be lieved that there are six or seven places where suck goods are sold, nothing was found except in one of the drug stores, which claims to have a permit to sell, The contraband was taken in charge by the sherifl, pending further legal” pro ceedings. Mres. M. Bark: n aged Iady, wife of a well-to do farmer, living four miles north of town, died to-day. She had been 11l for somo week: Some of our amateur d preparing for a theatrical in the near ure. The Vail schools s ying n week vacation during the holidays, and sever of the Vail school mams who are teach- ing country scools are spending their va- cation at home. ‘The death of Senator Logan makes a profound impression here and men of cvery party and creed agree in Jamenting the los: matists are performance Scenes in Mode Cornhill Maguzine: Without secking guidance at the hotel, I plunged into the warm daylight of the strects, designing to find the Acropolis or lose mysclf educationutly, if that were possible, ~ For ment the giate of the white build ings and white pavement in this Stadion as blinding. The sky was of the west blue; there w nothing more opaque thun u few shreds of diaptianous cioud to temper the heat of the sun. ‘There were tram-cars in the strect hackney-cosches and produce s drawn by mules or asses. Both pave ments were thronged with pedestrians, military and eivilian; merchants, Al | banians countrymen and forcigners Newsboys rostied their sheets under the noses of the passers: *Ultimatum from the Powers! More British ships in | Piraxy ng ugs of the sholders from those who were content to hear the news philosophicaily without paying for it and coppers from others, | AU the corners sat clderly women, lean and yeilow, with little tables of con fectionery, pens, ink and paper; and a Graek boy hurrying to school, wonld now and again pay s half-penny and snateh a cube of “Turkish delight” from the crones, The cafes were openingand t bakers sending their carts full of rolis here, the everywhere. Hydrostati vans did what they conld to lay the Attic dust. A troop of ugly Nul women with museular frames, stood i recess, chattering, with much glitter of o teeth; they had eng 10 sell, fresh picked from the banks of the all the necessaries for the su ieh b Joved of a try 15 smurt Lat the feet of the rospe Wwavfarer, and besought to be allowed to clean his boots for five lepta, or less than a half-penny. Confessedly, the Athenian thorol fures have their share of animation, and of noise, too, for, l¢ the palac King (icorge mor the shouts of itinerant th and that (from the entrails Jamb to a packet of pins and n beeame incressingly oyer, the Oriental’s™ I 1 was no msigniticant faeton The true born Greek would think of paying n fivst pri wife of my iord duke in May think of demurving to it and for an abatem What cost Will have for addn't think of nric Ivs drachma.” a drachma.” the and 1o more than the would vring “Two haldi o nore than half it's yours f s the driel n ¢ ensive city velousiv in 3,000, in n it B¢ far on | ntle K mortar raduall SO Athens but it is is no wing 1 000, while it i ! more than ! Already houses ain 0 toward Piraous; the 18 bordorad. with bricks olive woods are bei | croached upon, aud, ui I mternational combination | progress of Greece, within | tme Athens and its port will be or | But, though striding over the plalu | undor the encrgetic stmutus of the jerry builders of the East, and modeled u.‘,.‘! | 1 ! 1 Sent populuti 1 Nisu the | en reat the ! rests asll e eity. in able Paris as much as possible, the nomencla ture of the streets reminds one of its ancient histc The Christmas entertainment of tho St. Mury's avenne Congregational church will be held iu the ehurch on Friday eve ning at 7 o'clock, when &u extonsiye pro graiume of Christmas cheer will be pro- vided, Instead of receiving presents this year the children of tha school will bring them to be distributed the following ey ning to the Bohemian chapel school of this church in South Omaha. About 175 presents are ngeded for Lhis purpose sod the sitention of psrentsis called to this need. Maverick Nation | CAPITAL, - THEY WANT PROTECTION, Cattle Growers Appeal to Congress to Exterminate Contagion. CirreAqo, Dec. The execntive mittee of the Cattle Growers' association ot | the United States framed a communication to-day to be forwarded nouse of representatives. The communica tion calls attention to a letter by J. A, Cooper, of Colorado, in which he pronounces agninst the commission feature of the bills introduced in congress for the suppression of exotic diseases among the cattle of United States, The communication said that In the great emergency now upon the cattle indus- try it is imperatively necessary that some person or persons be vosted with extra- ordinary powers, It goes on to say that the presont bureau and departments are already overwhelmed with work to such extent that 1t would be impossible forany of them to do as rapid or offective work as could be done by a commission of energetic and practical busi- ness men, whose sole efforts would by devoted to one tas] A commission vested with the necessary power could clear this country of plouro’prieumonia in twelve or eightecn months, The communication furthor says the losses inflicted upon the cattle industry during the last two years by son - of embarrassing inter-Ftate and foreign quarant amwount 1o a natlonal calamity, andthose quarantines constitute the greatost existing obstruetion to inter-state and foreign commorce. ‘The communication says that the experienco of other countries s proven that the only successtul way 1o deal with pleuro-pneunionia is to resort to herole treatment, and that the quickest way is the cheapest. T'he suppression of plenro~ pueumonia is not only demanded as n sani- tary measure for the protection of our peo- ple, the communication woes on o say, but also as o measure of political cconomy. ' The communication ends with the statement that the cattle industry represonts an_ investment of S2,000,000,000 of taxable property, and asks that protection be extended to it MERCHANTS' BANQUET. Live Topics Discussed by Mon of Prom- inence. BostoN, Dec., 20h,—At the Boston Mor- chants’ Association banquet to-nightn letter of regret from John Sherman was read, 1t contained several suggestions upon the na- tional banking system and stated that o rem- y had been recommended by both Messrs Knox and Cannon and was substantinlly en- dorsed by the present comptroller, but con- eress has neglected it Senator Morigan, of Alabawa, delivered an eloquent address upon the question, “Shall We Continue the Na- tional Bank System or Repeal 16" He said our duty appeared cl arto, preserve our banlks ing system. Whether the proportion ‘of paper money to be issued through them s to bo greater or less than now should be left to the test of experience. Senator Hale of Maine dwelt briefly upon “National Security and Defenses.” /1o claimed that our seaports are to-day s de- fenseless as when the pluuderers of (he six- teenth contury were let 100s¢ upon our shore Although notan alarmist, he would calla tention” to some of the possibilities, it not probabilitics of the future. We are any day n danger of complications arising from our meichant marime In Spanish ports. 1f that wortiy old man succegds in cutting in twain this continent, who ‘can_tell what position weshall have to take. Senator Juwmes B I2ustis of Louisiana was=greeted with cheer: e said: “The trouble of the situation is that the power of taxation has been used to pro- tect private interests, [ undastand your sensitiveness, You have gaingd'great wealth, I the system by whiell s’ huve gained 1t mnst be arliiicial, “otlesnise taxation must continue. 1 amin of a reyis tariff mmlwnm--yfl?r’nu- et in nmm\)ll‘?‘fw i 1lon, W'l Hepbust®af Towa, Morriertebte =Newtne desire bill passed, The attempt, or tempt, toward tho tanf’ is show.” to the scnate and BOSTON ion of the A mistake d of the to see that Lvu-lemlml at- ut a public —— Steamer Burned. A Post special from N. B.. says the two mast steamer Sir gohn, which sailed out last night, burned just outside the harbor this mornine, The crew of twenty men were found huddied to- gether on the ro at Black point, Their clothes were frozen to their bodies and they were suffering terribly. They were brought to this city on sledges. It was found that live were 5o badly burned, including the cap- tain, that they eatnot live. Fire broke out in the galley at midnight from an_overturned The steward was drowned while hore. ‘T'iie rest zot to land b line carried to ashore by the captai total loss is about $70,000 i Belligerent H Two backmen, Matt Keif and Musser, beeame involved in a dispute midnight and decided to fight it out. At the finish Musser was taken to St Joscph's hospital in n carriage. Keif has not been arrested, A New Packer. William Hecht, proprictor ot the Cen tral market in Kearney, is in the town looking around with the vi. to estab- lishing w lurge pucking house. '*56( ., Réme(\y 15 thak which corkdins at for C.o\‘\i. Couvghs & Qowp WO gaAL At without Doulpy k) Erprcomant Remid) o s G\ 25% S0t & $l2 PQY. battle. VIGOR, SRAVORS, st | Bank BOSTON, JASS, $400,000 400,000 SURPLU Acco Ouwr facilities for COLLEC it 1 we re s warant it a Reserve City, h us from banks(not loca: serve Cities) count & We draw our own Excha and the Continent, and mal fers and place money by telegraph through out the United States and Canada. Government Bonds bo nd sold, and Exchanges in Wa without extra charge We have 8 arket Investment Securities, s trom States, Cor suing bonds Wedoa general Bankiug busi invite correspondernce ASA P. PC JUS, W, WORK, Cashier. TIONS are excell discount bank when balanc Boston is hington made for Ba or prin diny d C and R, Peesident