The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1897-01-09

Some action might very properly be
taken to discourage discrimination be-
tween political parties by railroad cor
porations operating within the state.
The Issuance of passes to an army of
political workers and the giving of spe-
cial rates for the political meetings
make the railroad companies a power In
shaping the political destiny of the
state. Where this power is all welded
In the interest of one party and to the
prejudice of another party its weight
cannot well be overestimated. Rail
road companies do the business of the
public and should be restrained by
wholesome legislation from active par
ticipation in party politics. The Off
GERS and employees of such railroad COM
panies should be free to vote as may
seem to them for their own best inter-
SITS. Charges of fraudulent registra-
ton in the larger cities of the state
have frequently been made and / sug-
gst the ACCESSIBILITY OF having the last
day of registration at least ten days
prior to election day in order that the
complete list of voters may be scrutin-
lied by all inquiring citizens and ample
time be afforded for the apprehension of
thoSc WIN liduuuleIltiy register.
1t Is obvious that one of the chief
sources of corruption in elections is the
use of money i'm providing means or
hiring the voter to go to the polls and
vote, by this means placing him under
obligation and thus unduly influencing
his vote, or to hire him to neglect his
duty as a citizen. Z
In order to encourage. and stimulate
the free and honest exercise of the cleo
tive franchise 1t has occurred to me that
1t might serve a good purpose were a
non-voting poll tax of reasonable
amount levied against each elector who
may relieve himself by voting at the
general election, or by producing a GER
tificate of sickness or disability or by
absence from the county or state Such
a provision might incidentally be made
a source of revenue to the state and
the burden fall upon a class of citizens
who fail to discharge a very important
duty devolving upon every qualified cit
izen. l suggest this idea to you for
your consideration. l hope that you
will take the necessary steps for the
romedying Of the defects in our election
laws with a view to giving every posi-
bic opportunity for a free and fair ex-
preston of the will of the people at
the polls
The States Finances,
desire to earnestly call your serious
attention to the condition of the states
finances. This is a subject of more than
ordinary concern to every taxpayer in
Nebraska. Several factors contribute
to the unfavOrable condition of the fl
nancial interests of the state as We at
present find them. The very general
depression in business and the low prices
received for the products produced by
the people of the state. are of them
selves sufficient to render the states
finances much more unsat sfactory than
might be expected under normal condi-
tions. This has prevented the prompt
collection of taxes due the state, and
required in order to meet its necessary
expenditures, so that at the present
time it appears there is a very large
amount Of delinquent state taxes.
In addition to this the method of ham
ding the finances of the state and meet
ing its obligations, could, in my judg-
ment, be very much improved upon.
Not only is it commendable to secure
the prompt collection of taxes levied for
the purpose of meeting current expendi-
lures, but also the prompt payment of
the taxes thus collected in satisfaction
Of the states obligations. Good bust
ness Judgment would dictate the prompt
discharge of the states outstanding
cations as rapidly as money may be
accumulated by the ordinary method ;
Of collecting taxes to meet the same.
From the report of the state treasurer
a bIief SUNNI airy discloses the following
as to the states obligatiors:
Bonds outstanding, issued i'm ,
funding the states indebt- 5
edness at the time of the
adoption of the present con-
stitution ...-.. ......s 449,2s755
Bonds issued under the pres ,