Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-15
;UGAR BOUNTY DEFENDED AND UPHELD

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.-Senator Allen,
populist of Nebraska addressed the senate
this afternoon on his resolution, offered last
week. The resolution was as follows:
Resolved, That it is the settled doctrine
! in the United states of America that no
state possesses constitutional power TO inn
pair the obligations of legal contracts,
either by direct legislation or by lcgislu-
ton that withdraws all substantial rcme-
dies from their enforcement
Mr. Allen was listened to with the closest
attention on both sides of the chamber. lie
spoke as follows:
MIR. President: The success of the popu-
list party at the late election in many
braska has provoked much discussion in
the eastern pre- S and among ca terra states
men respecting the policies that viii bo
pursued during the years of populStic ad-
ministration Many prophecies of hostile
legislation and adverse administrations
have been made 1t has been frequently
predicted If not positively asserted, that
the legislation of those states TINS winter
will be such as to retard, If not prohibit,
the enforcement of legal contracts, and by
that means impair their obligations. 1t has
also been stated that the populist party is
hostile to the enforcement of legal obga-
tions and has no conception OF their sn-
CrodpcSS.
| viii pass over the dense ignorance ire
sistibly implied in assertions of this char
aCter for the purpose OF saying that so lar
as Nebraska is concerned, while her legis-
lature will be under the control of the pop
ulist party and her administration will
shortly pass into the hands of It's repre-
sentativCs. there is not the slightest ground
to fear that anything will be done that will
in any respect violate legal obligations or
place barrier across the pathway of their
prompt and effectual enforcement.
The populist party of Nebraska is COM
posed of men who understand quite wei
the invoahility of all contracts as well as
the saCredncss of public ana private prop
erty and the rights of citizens. The party
was not born to destroy, but TO build up
and make more secure the rights of all,
and to give to all that fun measure of
justice their position as members of So
ciety entities them to.
HOLCOMBS HIGH CHARACTER.
I wish to utterly repudiate assertions of
an intended menace of the rights of prop
erty or contracts by the legislature and
incoming administration of Nebraska. Two.
years ago we elected the present honored
chief executive of our state by a bare plu-
rality of 3,lOO 1t was asserted then that
his election would impair the credit of the
state, but the argument was not needed.
Instead of impairng it's credit, his elec-
tion seems to have strengthened 1t, for he
was reelected in November last by ma
jority of nearly 22,0OO. The other gentle-
men chosen for the subordinate state Of
fees are competent business men of eX-
perience and high character; they are pa
triotc citizens, believers in law and order,
and will discharge their respective duties
conservatvely, conscientiousy and to the
best interests of ALL Those who live else
where and have or may have, obligations
~ a5"InSI tle stdIe' OF any OF lls supdlNlslohs,
~ IL '@Itiztils @ WIN not pe ueprlV'd OF enter
and completely as they can i'm the courts
of their own state. They will find no preju-
tIcG usalnst then or thelr cause II meri-
toIlous. oui JUDGES VIII compare very Ia
vorably with those of the oldest states of
the union in point of ability integrity and
a knowledge of the duties or their Offices
They will hold the scales of Justice Impair
TALLY between residents and non-residents;
they Will enforce all legal obligations in
their letter and spirit, and defeat those in
violation of law; they are In every con-
ceivable respect, abreast of the times and
fully armed and equipped. by character and
duties without fear or favor
Mr. President | personally know MANY
all by reputation They fon s,rc pen tian,nn
of high character and ability. The major
ity are populists ana silver democrats, but
ihey, are none the worse for tnat They are
loyal sons OF Nebraska and of the union.
Ihey VIII De gulItS OF nothing rash, MOTH
ing that will impair the standing of tho
the the contrary, build up and make better and
Eastern holders of stocks in our railway
corporations sometimes express fear of hos
tile legislation, and ! desire to say to them
Ihat suGh q feeling is groundless While
90 not doubt that the legislature VIII enact
measures looking to the prevention of over
capltali2ationi, wild and reckless manage
ment' and Will take strong grounds against
railways interfering in political matters and
faVorlng one political party by the free
service of their trains to the rigid exclusion
of others from like privilege, YET so far as
equitable and just passenger rates are con-
CDrned there will be nothing done of which
any fair-minded man may Justly complain
There Is now pending in the supreme court
of the United States a case from Nehrasl,s
involving the constltutionaIity Of n maIiI
mum rate act passed by Gir IT, .fsja firn
cral years ago The c9sc iuav or rnay not
under the constitution. viii be- rn6iiired 10
adjourn; but | am safe i'm saving thaf wbot'
ever the decision may be there viii be- notb
ing done by the icgisIatI,Tn tb1t yviiI no,,nr
of malice hostility. or iniustine ar Of wbicb
the railways or their stockboIders c1n in ne
slightest degree rightfuiIv Complain ~ ,rio
bill may be reintroduced ind naT,'Icd ,Idmo
to a point where the Legislature can amend
i should the decision of tho court impair it,
pair the substantial rights of anV M
BEET SUGAR BOTrN,ry cNIIGpsEt,
Nebraska has many indnstrios '',t''D ~ ycr,,