George Norris, Going Home: Reflections of a Progressive Statesman by Gene A. Budig & Don Walton

Author:Gene A. Budig & Don Walton [Budig Gene A., Walton Don]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-4962-0928-3
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press
Published: 2018-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Ten

Senator Robert Crosby, the young Speaker of the 1943 Nebraska Unicameral Legislature, intently studied the face of the white-haired man who was marching up the aisle toward him.

He looks like a man in his late sixties, Crosby thought to himself. He bears himself with dignity; he seems to be quite composed; and he appears extremely senatorial, the North Platte legislator was thinking.

The galleries had risen in a standing ovation, and the warmth and noise of this greeting far surpassed anything Crosby had ever heard in the austere and dignified West Senate Chambers. The legislative committee of five turned with their guest as he reached the front of the podium, and accompanied him up the three steps that led to the platform.

Crosby leaned over, shook hands, and greeted Senator George W. Norris on his first visit to the unique unicameral legislature that he had fathered.

The aged warrior stood at the west end of the room and faced the large crowd that nearly overflowed the great marble and stone chamber. Above him on either side and far across the enclosure at its east end, the wooden balcony benches were hidden by the standing observers. As the senator looked up at them, his eyes settled for a moment on the six shining chandeliers that were suspended from the high, beamed ceiling.

People filled chairs below on both sides behind the eighteen splendid ornate Gothic columns that separated the gallery from the Senate floor. Directly in front of him, senators were on their feet beside the deep-cushioned swivel chairs from which they conduct their business. Behind them, in the rear seats, were the lobbyists and special guests of the legislature. Back there too stood Jim Lawrence, who had accompanied Norris to the skyscraper statehouse this day.

Norris nodded to the demonstrative audience, and they began to take their seats.

Crosby stepped forward toward the microphone. So, at last he had come, Crosby thought to himself as he moved near the stand. Over his left shoulder the calendar read March 10. The invitation had been extended by legislative resolution on January 19.

A dramatic moment. The eighty-two-year-old legislative giant, beaten just four months ago in a bitter, heartbreaking defeat, had journeyed the 225 miles from McCook to Lincoln in the twilight of his life to view what he had created. A sentimental journey; a pilgrimage to the seat of Nebraska state government.

Crosby had met the senator before only long enough to shake hands. He had anxiously awaited this opportunity to view him at close range. A young man with ambition, Bob Crosby would never forget this moment. Many years later, he could recall the scene clearly.

“This is a unique situation in the strict sense of the word,” Crosby began. We have had speakers and expect to have more in the future. But none will be more significant. George W. Norris is far beyond any other living Nebraskan in shaping the history of the state, the nation and the world. We feel humble as he comes before us today.”

To a new and generous round of applause, Norris approached the rostrum.

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