The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-08
HIT BY THEIR OWN LAW.
NEBRASKA POPULIsTS 1FoUL OF
THE FREE PASS QUESTION.
they want to Held - mtg State Convention.
but Find That Under tire law They Nnda
Last Fall They Can't siet Free PnsScs
for Their ncleEntca from the Ilnilrond..

They Want to Held y BiE state Convention,
but Find That Under the law Thcy Mnda
Last Fall They Can't siet Free PnsScs
for rheir Delegates from the Railroads.
LINCOLN, Neb.. Au-. 7.-The State convcn.
tions OF the various political parties will be held
here within n few weeks. The call of the fusion
convention "contcmplates tho attendance Ut
200 delegates. CONSERVATION rcigns in tho
ranks of the populists, however, since they
have discovered that a bill which they pushed
through both houses of the Legislature last fall
with hurrahs and applause will prevent u single
delegate travelling in future on II free pass.
Incidentally leaders OF the other parties arc
somewhat disturbed over the situation in which
tho Anti.Pass law has placed them. Tho law
provides a penalty of from 81, 900 to $1,000
for each pass issued in violation Of the act. 10
provides further that one-half the fine must he
paid to the informer In the case. and gives him
the right to bring suit against the State to re.
cover half the fino assessed through his efforts
IL for any reason the money be not collected
through any fault OF tho prosecution. All rail-
road managers agree that this law will DO Of.
fcctual and that no more passes will be issued
for political purposes in the State of Nebraska.
Now it develops that the very men who i'm
spired the legislation are the ones who will no
hit hardest by 1t. Tho other parties. anticipat-
ing that the law would be enforced. arranged
to have the attendance at their state conven-
lions as small as possible. The best the rail-
roads will do for these meetings will be q one
and one.half round trip fare. This means tho
practical exclusion Of many delegates in all par
ties. and the new rule naturally will affect more
fusion delegates than those OF other political
pcrsuasions.
For many years free passes were a powerful
factor in influencing conventions to nominate
men favorable to the railroads of Nebraska. At
Finn The ,,iI hos hnor m tropn,ynrod that oil
the parties have introduced bills in the Legisln-
turc to prohibit pass-giving. Still, these meas.
ures were never introduced in, good faith, and
were only used as an evidence to the ngricul-
MEASURE was opposed to Corporation influence
in State politics, Last fall the Populist members
IDhSv G nrssep up n th he pin Inler counted de up upon On the Ihes great q
Kill it, and therefore pushed it vigorously. not
unexpectedly failed to do anything to oppose
the. measure. There has, been much spec
d SiStio not as defeat tS j ,bs S ThN there 1hs railroads IDS
question that they could have done 50.
Leading Nebraska politicians have figured it
out that the railroads have grown tired OF
issuing free passes to control political parties.
and that they were glad to see the pill pass, be-
pleasant duty OF refusing to give their advo-
Gates transportation. At first there was some
t bat his II sa han benz snG i absn asssee oy and a ddG nn TX suit ait.
largest systems n The state. it can he stated
TINT the roads viii abide by ii strictly.
Thu law which is causing all the trouble is as
SECTION /. It shall be n misdemeanor for AIRY cor
roratIon doing business in Nebraska TO contribute
in any manner or form 10 any pol!ticai party. or To
any candidate for any civil oaice, or to any political
be used as Or { expended for political pr po.es.
visions shall forfeit nnd pay u fine II Il 900 for the
SEC, 3. Upon conviction of a second offence the
offender shEll pay a fine OF 81. uUU, and the court
shall decree the charter OF the corporal on cancelled.
Pay a ike iinc ana 70 forfeit It's Fight to do business sine s"i IN
Nehra:ks. the attorney being authorized to proceed
Treasurer for the u.s. OF the school fund, and the com:
fund one.fourth OF the fine assessed.
In 1894. when the Populists began to assume
i2rmidahlc proportions as a political party in
sidney. The question of transportation came
M. and the Central Committee OF the Pupulists
railroads refused to make them reduced rates or
give them passes. The result was a great turn
out out from all parts OF the state, and when the
gates present. who had ridden their horses and
rro,ne in carriages from all parts of the State.
Even the most remote counties were repre-
come Sc, powerful that The railroad managers
they desired. This 's Year then the leader az sns are p "ssin
revtving the overland scheme. They desire il
money and boycott the railroads. Then. again.
each delegate is supposed to be IA representative"
! oI'uiIol VI uIS ILIIlIlttliult community. anu 81
many leaders passing slowly overland would
naturally come into contact with many farmers.
and their progress would be similar TO a great
campaign. All delegates are advised to hold
nightly meetings where they happen TO camp.
All are supposed to provide themselves with
camp utensils and fool before starting, and in
this way the expense would be very little.
While this may be the solution Of the problem
so far as the fuSionists are concerned, there is
quite a question as to what the effect will DO on
the other parties. Certainly the Populisis will
keep so close a watch that 10 passes can be-
granted by the railroads without big chances ~
detection. Not in many years has a State con-
vcntion been held III this State by the two old
parties without more or less passes being given
to influence delegates to favor certain individ-
uals. Prominent politicians have received blank
pass books, from which they have sent not only
all the delegates favorable to their interest 10 tho
convention. but also mnnyfricnds who were on
pcctcd TO go along and influence the convention
by whooplnS for their candidates. This wholesale
distribution of transportation will be stopped.
The Popullst Executive Committee has at-
pointed n secret committee 10 watch the rail-
roads and see that they do not discriminate in
this matter. II the law is violated il must h.
done rs much in favor of the Populists as their
opponents. under penalty of immediate and
vigorous prosecution.