1934: Voters give their approval for Unicameral Legislature

Nov 7, 1934

HARTINGTON — Cedar County may furnish the last Speaker in the last session of a two-house legislature in Nebraska, following the election last Tuesday at which the voters of the state decided to adopt Sen. Norris’ proposal for a one-house legislative body, similar to those in Canada and England.

Even before election day, the Honorable W.H.

O’Gara, who was the leading contender for the speakership in the lower house two years ago, was being urged by his friends as being entitled to that honor by virtue of his 14 years of service to that body.

Adoption of the Norris proposal makes it obligatory on the incoming legislature to pass the necessary laws to make effective the proposal, which also provides for the election of the members on a non-partisan ballot.

The amendment provides that the new legislative body will include not less than 30, nor more than 50 members. If the membership is held to 35, the districts will correspond closely to the boundaries of the present senatorial districts. If the membership is larger, then difficulty will be experienced in forming the new districts.

Adoption of the amendment repealing the bonedry provisions of the state constitution does not permit the handling, sale or possession of liquors containing more than 3.2 percent of alcohol, until the legislature makes the necessary changes in the state laws, according to Attorney General Paul Good. Unless these new laws contain an emergency clause they cannot be effective until next midsummer. If no such laws are passed, liquor will not be legal.

The third constitutional amendment approved by the voters provides that the legislature MAY pass laws permitting paramutual betting. Of course, if no such bills are passed, such betting will continue to be a violation of the law. Pari-mutual betting is done on machines with a percentage taken out for the state to cover expense for enforcement, a percentage for the local fair, or other similar purpose and remainder is divided amongst those who made the wager, the details to be arranged by the legislature.