Omaha daily bee., 1892-07-11

competent and reputable men are noml
mated on platform that deals squarelN
with the vital issues which concern the
masses we shall have fair chance foi
redeeming Nebraska. If corporate
interests and political wreckers domi
nate the convention and dictate its can
dates republican success will be imper
lied if not hopeless.
Up to this time the party seems to be
drifting toward the political maelstron
without sail or rudder and there i.
imminent danger that we shall strant
on the rocks by reckless disregard o.
popular sentiment.
Two years ago when republicans felt
confident that they had Mt least 10000 AS
sured majority in the state the party
took advanced position on the reforms
that were deemed most vital by insert
ing the following planks in its platform
We recognize the right OF labor to organize
for its protection, and by ali lawful means
to secure 10 Itself tho greatest reward for its
thrift and industry.
We are in favor OF laws compelling rail
roads and manufacturers to use appliances
which science supplies for the protection oi
laborcrs against accidents We demand the
enactment of a law defining the liability o
employers for injuries sustained by en-
ployes in such cases where proper safe
guards have not been used in occupations
dangerous TO life limb or health. Railroad
| and other public corporations should be sub
ject to control through the legislative power
that created them. Their undue influence in
legislation and courts, imposition Of uuneces
sary burdens upon the people and the illegit.
imate Increase of capital stock should be
prohibited by stringent laws.
We demand of the state that the property
of corporations shall be taxed the same as
that OF individuals; that the provisions OF
our constitution requiring the assessment OF
franchises shall be enforced by suitable leg.
lslation.
We demand the reduction of freight and
passenger rates on railroads to correspond
with rates now prevailing in the states
adjacent TO the Mississippi, and we further
demand that tho legislature shall abolish all
passes and free transportation on railroads
excepting ror all employees OF railroad com
panies.
Owners of public elevators that receive
clared public warehousemen and compelled
under penalty to receive, store, ship and
handle the grain Of all persons alike, with
out discrimination, the state regulating
charges for storage and inspection All
railroad companies should be required to
switch, haul, handle, receive and ship the
grain of all persons without discrimination
We dcnounce all organizations or capitalists
to limit production, control supplies of the
necessaries of life, and to advance pr!ces
detrimental to the best interests of society
and an uniustitiable Interference with the
natural laws of competition and trade and
ask their prompt suppression by law.
And to emphasize its sincerity the
convention refused to renominate two of
the three state officers who had failed
to respond to the popular demand for Il
reduction of freight rates, and the third
escaped being shelved by a mere
scratch.
The question that conironts republl-
cans OF Nebraska is shall the party in
vite defeat by nominating any candidate
who rs public officer has been recreant
to his trust:
Cen we afford to nominate any man
for any position, high or low, whose con.
duct or record will place the party on
the defensive? We have not single
vote to spare this year; nay, more, we
cannot hope to win unless we can con
vince several thousand of the discon-
tented republicans who strayed from the
fold that the candidates we nominate
this year will redeem the pledges OF
the party. 1t remains to be seen
whether we have the wisdom, pru-
dence and patriotism to sacri.
flee personal preferences and select for
our standard bearers in the comino
campaign men who are platform in
themselves, men who are in touch with
the people and in whose integrity the
people have implicit confidence.
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