Omaha daily bee., 1896-06-19

OF people Ol UlNltIdtt AAtAhHfH AAlt IhllINaA
corporations did not stop there. They in
yaded every department OF the government,
became extensively prominent In all cleo
tions. infested the national and state cap
itsls. bribed Legislators. made aud uumade
laws at will. and substituted machine poll
ticians for statesmen. ~
The grange movement OF The early los
was the first practical rebellion against
railroad tyranny. II was successful In dem
onstrating the benefits OF ~prganizatiOn
among farmers and accomplished much
good in Iowa. Illinois and surrounding
states. The great fight inaugurated and car
ried on by The Bee against the Union IA
cifc bridge tolls and intolerahle interior
ence Of that corporation in political affairs
was the beginning Of the anti-monopoly
movement in Nebraska. The desperate
struggles against the federal brigades, the
Hitchcock regime. and the wholesale pros
titution Of the ballot by monopoly mercen-
aries paved the way TO political freedom
and forced the party in power to respect
the will Of the people.
During the campaign Of 1880 the anti
monopolists, though unorganized, held the
balance Of power and forced the issue IN
nearly all senatorial and representative dis
tricts. In Douglas county 1000 republicans
rebelled against the legislative tchet
foisted on the party by a packed railroad
convention. They raised the standard OF
reyol, against monopoly domination and sup
ported every man. regardless OF polltlCs'
who pledged himself to stand by the people'
The result was a complete rout OF the co
horts of Jay Gould. Merchants, farmers
and workingmen rallied IN every ste'loE
of the county and after a campaign OF
three days overthrow the enemy.
The legislature of 1881 was a strong
anti-monopoly body. Control OF the lower
house was in the hands OF producers, anu
much beneficial legislation resulted. The
most important was the bill framed by
Judge Doane Of Omaha, which the opposi-
ton facetiolsly dubbed the "Doane tub
law" II prohibited secret rates, rebates
draw backs and other privileges granted TO
the favored few; provided equal rates
and service for all; limited charges TO the
tariffs in force in November, 1850, and
imposed severe penalties for violation oil
the act. Another bill was passed requiring
nil railroads doing business IN the slate
TO incorporate under the laws Of the state,
TO maintain general Offices In some county
through which the road ran, ana keep
books showing the amount OF business done,
names and residence OF stockholders anu
the transfers of the same.
The defeat of Senator Paddock and the
election of General c. II. Van Wyck was 9
victory Of popular self-government, aho
marked an epoch in the political history OF
Nebraska. 1t was the second sreat sena-
torial triumph OF the people, for which Inc
pee Justly claims a large share OF the credit
For nearly ten years it had fought the good
fight almost single handed. II had overcome
the most malignant opposition, placed III
the constitution a provision giving voters lht
right TO express a preference LOT Ohl.eE
States senator. contributed 10 the downlai
of the federal brigade in 1871, and was
largely instrumental in giving monoPoi! q
deathblow in 1881.
The arrogance and political infamies Of
the corporations. their determination 10 ruiz
or ruin, the Determinations when Dull. VI
favored towns at the expense OF othe[s
forced the restrictive measures OF whlcf
| ~ oo,,nopiac nOw COmDlA1t. lDCy over
reached themselves in grasPing all the trafht
would bear and forced the people to seer
redress in national and state legislation
The interstate commerce. act, the railroad
commissions in various states ana IN
smashing Of pools have materially curoeC
corporate rapacity and brought their powe'
within reasonable bounds.
The principles of anti-monopoly hav'
taken deep root in Nebraska. Since I'M
first convention was held in January, lsSl
when they secured the approval ana supper
Of a majority Of the people. every succeeding
wear witnessed an improvement in the char
acter of public officials: corporate tools weT'
gradually retired, and the public service
placed beyond the malign influence o
monopolies. The defeat Of Senator Val
WICK in 1887 was not a defeat OF anu
monopolists. 1t was a triumph OF treachery
a base betrayal of pledges and promises, an
a cowardly surrender to king caucus
y STUBBORN LESSON OF 1882. -'f
The success which crowned the efforts o
the a~nti-monopolists in 1850 gave strengti
and confidence TO the movement. Emoolo
ened by the election OF a pronounced leade
in Senator Van Wyck, the rank and nj
turned their attention TO the notorious TOOL
of monopoly in and out Of Office.
When E. K. Valentine sprang into IN
congressional brogans of Hon. Frank Welcl
in 1873 The Bee gave him hearty support
He had scarcely warmed a seat in congress
when he Displayed his bent for corDorat'
favor. He became the subservient tool o
monopolies. and rarely missed an oppor
tunity TO do their bidding. In 1880 Tn
Bee demanded his withdrawal from tn
race. but the rail-manipulators of the repub
lican convention. backed by the remnant
of the federal brigade, secured his nomina
ton. There was no organized opposition I
his election. Nevertheless he received
rebuke by falling behind his ticket 800
votes.
The republican party paid no attention t
this mild warning. Trusting 10 a large ma
iority to elect any tool receiving the nom
nation. the managers OF the machine de
liborately invited party revolt in lSs2. In
increase of the congressional delegation an
the division OF the state into three district
precipitated a vigorous campaign, in whlc
the organized independent anti-monopol
party was an active factor. Tn opposite
turned their heaviest guns on valentine !
the First district, Laird in the Second. {
II. StTt. u ltEtHA ~ wv
publican candidate for treasurer. The con
yention which nominated Valentine wa
packed by oficeholders and railroad striker:
Their highhanded methods and outrageou
trickery resulted in a division and two cor
ventions. The independents nominated N
(. Turner OF Columbus. The democrati
, candidate was ". H. Munger OF FTemon
In the Second district the nomination {
Laird, a Burlington attorney, NATURAL
Z aroused the anti-monopoly sentiment whic
was particularly strong in that section. Thi
feeling crystallized in the nomination OF ID
s. V. Moore of York. while the democrat
selected F. A. Hartman. There were thre
> state tickets in the field. p. D. Sturteyan'
apti-monopoly candidate for treasurer. wa
endorsed by the democrats. Loran Clari
!, the republican nominee, was the favored pc
! of the railroads in Boone county, enjoyin
special privileges and rebates for his elt
yator at Albion. His nomination was orougl
> about by a miscount and denounced openl
as a fraud /. the convention.
l The campaign was waged vigorously an
resulted in a signal victory for the ant
I monopolists. On a straight test they cas-
2 IL. 800 votes. Loran Clark was defeated b
a majority of All votes. Valentine an
Laird pulled through by the skin OF thel
teeth. Both districts were overwhelming
2 republican. Turner polled 1892 votes in IN
5 Third district, while hundreds OF republican
e voted for Munger TO rebuke, more efectiyel
,ha Marty machine In the Second Qistri(