Omaha daily bee., 1883-10-24
RHY SHnLLLD 7,HLYI

Why should Republicans in Nebraska
who last year sought redress from corpo.
rate abuses by joining in the Anti. Mo-
nopoly movement return within the party
lines this falll Has the Republican party
which controls this State doue anything
to merit a revival of con6dencel Have
the party leaders who last year made
such p~rofuse promises to legislate for the
suffering producers redeemed a single
pledgel
For nearly ten years a struggle has
been going on in Nebraska within the
party lines. In 1876 a revolt was raised
against the control of conventions by
federal office holders and their collision
with monopoly managers to foist upon
the party candidates that were notori.
ously cappers for the railroads. This
struggle resulted in the overthrow of one
political dynasty and the temporary ex-
pulsion from power of the railroad
bosses. But that relief was not lasting.
Federal Office holders retired from active
politics under the Hayes civil service order
but they made common cause in the pri-
maries with the railroad robbers and
throttled the honest voice of party in the
Legislature.
Church Howe, Thummel, earns and
other satellites Of the railroad managers
ruled the state and men who loved their
party better than plumber and patronage,
h I'd to hide their faces in shame. Re.
publican editors with a few honorable
exceptions, became the mouthpieces of
the m%onopolies and party principles be.
came secondary to railroad %interes. The
land grant railroads were paying ne taxes
on their imperia, domain, and the assess
ments on their taxable property were
dictated to State Off GERS by the railroad
managers. Etorbitant tolls were extcted
from the patrons of the roads and scores
of little %monopolies were built up at
railway stations by coal dealers and grain
dealers who were political agents of the
railroads.
Still the mass of Republicans who de-
sired relief from these burdens kept up
the struggle from year to year against
heavy odds. They were overpowered at the
prima les by repeaters and stri' ers and
in the conventions they were beaten and
voted down by hired attorneys and
bought up delegates. Finally foIbearance
ceased to be a virtue. The Anti. Mo.
noroly Republicans refused to take part
in conventions and primaries. They
were forced to withdraw from a struggle
they regarded as hopeless and they re-
newed the fight under the leadership of
the Farmers Alliance. At the very first
election they polled 1900 votes for
Governor and barely missed electing two
out OF the three Congressman.
Thoroughly frightened at the uprising,
Republican leaders conceded the justice
OF their demands and avowed themselves
as staunch Anti Monopolists. But when
th.ir professions were put to n
test in the Legislature they
failed utterly to redeem their pledges.
Why they betrayed the people is not for
US to enquire. Suffice it to say that the
Legislature adjourned without aft riding
the slightest redress. Texas had passed
q three cent law, and Kansas had fol-
lowed suit, and down in Georgia railroads
are controlled by law but in Nebraska
the monopolles still have their own way.
Why her should any Anti-monopoly
Republican repent of his course aud re.
turn within the lines2 What Is there
to gain by a oowardly surrender
OF principle at this time2 Why
not infict the proper pena ty
upon the Republican party fol-
i 8 criminal neglect of duty. aud by it,
defeat at the ballot box compel it to re
deem its pledges before it can demanc
allegiance from its former followers
Let the Republican farmers, mechanics
and merchants of Nebraska emancipat,
themselves and there will be an end I,
Monopoly rule. Let them defeat TIT
railroad candidates this fall and their de
mInds for just laws and equal taxation
will be needed hereafter.