Western news-Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1898-1900, 1898-09-15

Mr.. EDITOR:-I learn through your valuable
paper that the reform forces lave renominated
Otto Mutz to represent the l4th senatorial dis
trlct. 1 am pleased to learn this l am pleased
to know that the fusion parties appreciate and
approve of the work of true sound men. [ feel
safe in saying t, you that no man eyer held a
seat in the Nebraska legislature who labored
more Understandings and honestly in the faith
fu! representation of his. constituency than did
Senator MutZ during the session of 1896. l
would like to especially call your attention to
his work in behalf of the shippers OF stock.
1t has been Il notorious fact, well known for
years, that the stock yard charges at South
Omaha are an outrageous robbery. Stock inen
have been robbed year after year by this dam
nable gang and were absolutely withoutremedy
The agitation for a reduction in these terrible
rates commenced about ten years ago. Five
sessions of the legislature passed without any
thing being done for the relief OF shippers.
Every bill that was introduced was crushed by
these monopolists.
Notice some of the prices; corn 81 per bushel
when it could be bought on the streets OF
Omaha at lOc per bushel; hay 81 per hundred
pounds when the market price was $500 per
ton. Other charges such as yardage. etc.. were
in proportion. This is a terrible condition of
affairs and yet by shrewd maneuyering the stock
yard managers have succeeded in killing any
bill introduced for regulating these charges.
This is one of the conditions that confronted
the members of the last legislature.
EARLY IN the session Senotor MUTT at the head
of a few determined members, who were partlc-
ularly interested in this legislation, got together
and drafted a bill known as senate file No. 80, TO
regulate these charges and afford a relief to one
of the greatest industries of our great state.
This bill was introduced by Senator Grothan.
The fight commenced early in The senate. The
stock yards sent dow a strong lobby to defeat
the bill. No stone was left unturncd by these
men. Hacks. cigars and champagne were free
to all members who were opposed to stock YARDS
regulations, for weeks before the vote came.
In the senate Tor two days the fight was on Ill
the committee Of the Whole, and what memora-
Bile DAYS those were. Senator Mutz had been
chosen by the reform forces to champion this
bill and he was ably assisted by other reform
senators, This was one of the hottest fights OF
that session.
To this brave and determined handful of men
who forced this bill through, the stock industry
owes u great utdt. lulS NdS tllC LOU ooSP la q
move that will eventually rectify a wrong which
will forever be a blot on the history OF fair Neb.
raska, and it does me good to say to the people
Of my home county that your representative was
in the front rank in this fight and the acknowl-
edged leader of the forces that accomplished this
great result.
Later, after a hard fight this bill passed the
house and became a law. Til law went into
effect but the republican government by IN
junction" came TO the aid OF the stock yard
boodlers AMI a republican corporation court
granted an injunction enjoining Attorney Cen
era. Smyth from enforcing the new law, anu as
a result the stock shippers are still being bled
by this contemplate ring.
But it affords me great pleasure. MIR. Editor.
to know that that the reform forces by their
| representatives have kept their premises and
| thank God the day is not far distant when an
| intelligent, independent pOpulace, educated in
the true principles of political economy will in
| stall men by their votes, in the high tribunals
| who will deal out justice and equal rights to all.
Yours sincerely,
j. r FARRIS