Omaha daily bee., 1883-01-06

utCtsSal9 lOE buhN nuIpOsF, VI lOllclNNl0 VI
their property and franchises"
These citations are made for the
reason that l with TO bring your minds
directly, aud in the most fotcible man.
ner, the fact that by virtue Of these
provisions In our fundamental law the
people have reserved to themselves
absolute power in all matters pertain.
ing to the corrections of sbuses, ex-
tortions or unjust discrimination upon
the part of railroads or other corpo-
radons.
Railroads. may he justly regarded as
among the most important factors in
the rapid development Of our etate,
and 1t 10 of vital Importance to oil in-
terests that they be sustained and en-
coursged, for it must be remembered
that such corporations are iudilpensa.
bic to the material prosperity of the
state. They have in the past been
dealt with generously by both the ma.
tion and the state; and there is to-day
no sentiment among our people such
as demands that the railroads should
be either destroyed or crippled to the
extent of impsiring their usefulness,
or so restricted as to deprive them oil
q legitimate return upon capital In.
vested. Ii the railroads have been un-
Just, the people will not In turn be
uni jost., Tho people cannot afford to
be unjust to any interest; but will be
careful that the rights of the public as
against corporations are protected by
etficient laws. 1t is only asked that
such control and legislation bs had as
will be just and fair, considering the
respective rights of both the people
ard the corporations. This is ne un-
reasonable demand. 1t Ia such de.
mand as keeps steadily in view the
important fact that with our resources
as yet sll but undeveloped, we must
not repel capital by legislation such
as would hazard our best interests,
In legislating it should be kept con.
stantiy In mind. that corporations
have the same protection from the
laws that any citizen has, and that
capital invested in railroads mus5 be
protected equally with capital inveete d
IN any other branch of industry. TO
Just that protection it is entitled, and
no more.
1t the railroads have been oppressive
1t is TOR the legislature to apply the
ne"Ge6 correction.
Whether the railroads are 6. The
present time managed III lair and
just msnler IL question fcy you tc
decide, and it 10 to be hoped that you
may bo so guided in your deliberations
that you may be enabled 70 find the
golden mean in legislation and enao
such law as will bs not only Just tt
capital, but at tbs same tIme fully
protect the rights Of the people. Az
guide In connldering question OF sucl
grave Importance, so d fh,ult and per
! picking, it would seem the part o
wisdom TO avail ourselves Of the expe
riencs of other states.
You will fad me at oil times read
to cooperate with you in such actio
as may bo necessary for the protectiol
: os the public intsrests.
HAsPY LEGISLATION.
BY the terms of our constitution i
is provided that members of the legia
lature shall not receive pay for NOR
than forty days at any one session.
The compensation is small at best
and but few can afford to remain a
their own expense. It ia therefore i'm
portant that your work be done within
the constitutional limit, as TO time
for which you will receive pay, AT
for the further reason that an undu
prolouging of the session is adding un
necessarily to the expens % inclden
, thereto and placing additional burden
upon the treasury.
The interest and excitement attend
ing the election of United Ssate
senator has resulted in times past il
the neglect of other important busi
ness and to undue haste and dispatc
of business In the closing days of tn
session.
To remedy this evil of hasty an
poorly considered Legislation, 20
should, it bsems TO me, apply your
; selves promptly and vigorously to tn
work before you, and In this way ma
ture and perfect the more importar
subjects Of legislation at the esrlie'
. practicable day. You will by 30 doin
!, make it possible for all whose duty
is to do 30, to examine ana understan
measures they are called upon to suI
port before acting upon thom, an
4 you will thus be enabled to bsst NEE
o the wishes OF those you represent. L
: you, coming directly from the people
l their immediate representatives., tn
! is a consideration Of grave moment.
PROGRESS.
In the progress We have thus II
made as a state and IN the preser
gratifying condition of affairs, as we
as in the promising outlook for tt
, future, we as people have abundar
. cause for congratulation and reioicin,
81 Under the guidance Of the source {
- all wisdom, may we, Into whose hsnC
= the honor OF our state has bsen con
~ mitted, 50 scquit ourselves OF tt
10 trust, so perform the work assigne
- us, that the good name Nebraska hi
% thus far borne may receive no stall
y and that we may in some degree q
=, in strengthening, in making yet mo
% broad and firm, the foundation of h
q future greatness.
p. CONCLUSION.
10 In conclusion ] wish to assure 20
Jf that in all measures calculated to pr
D. mote the honor, prosperity and ge
ir cral wolfare of the state, you will ha
a. my earnest cooperation, and that
a. entering upon tho di,charge of t
executive department it ia 10 tho fiji
belief that you will extend to L
N your generous aid and counsel.
A. JAMES W. DAWES.
70 Lincoln, Jan. 4. 1888.
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