The Red Cloud chief., 1899-01-13

eIfTkllI1lIO n VI NHt bhhD
braska's people every five years Upon
these two enumerations the constitu-
ton requires that the apportionment
of senator's and representatives shall
be made, thus requiring an npportion-
mcnt TO be made each Ave years. In
1895. when the last apportionment
should have been made. we find b a
there had been no census taken In
the state, as required by the constitu-
ton, upon which TO base such appor-
tionment, and il was argued by SOME
that the legislature had no power to
make an apportionment. The lam
guage OF the constitution is that the
legislature shall make this apportion-
ment at its first session after the emu
meration and at no other time. AS
understand II, that which the consti-
tuition requires to be done will be
done, and having been done shall not
again be done until its provisions
again require II. The present appor-
tionment Is manifestly unjust to the
western half OF our state. With more
than one-sevcnth OF the population, II
has only five representatives out OF
a hundred, and less than three sent
tors of the thirty-threc in our senate
As an act Of justi e long delayed L
recommend you to take up the work
of reapportionment which the legisla-
ture Of 1895 should have made, and
give to our western people the rep
resentation to which they are enti-
tied.
I desire to call your attention to an
evil which has grown with the growth
OF the state, and one for the eradica-
ton OF which the best thought OF our
best minds have been engaged. j re-
fer to free railway transportation. The
pass system has grown to such pro-
portions that it has become a burden
10 the managers OF the railways Of
the state, n scandal in state politics
and disgusting to thoughtful citizens.
Railways are built as business enter
prises. Profits must be made for in
vcstors upon business done. IL all pas
| nger should be carried free, profits
must be made from some other branch
| OF the business. and il is air to pre-
| sumo that under SUI h circumstances
il would be necessary to advance
freight rates. If n half those trav-
cling should do so upon free transpor-
tation. all the profits of the business
must be collected from the other half
| who pay fare. Now n the business
we're ~refnunerative with only one-half
| those travelling paying fare, II Ill
should be made to pay alike the
same profits would accrue to the rail-
ways If only one-hal' as much was
charged for the service. 1t has been
estimated that our railways in Ne
braska receive less than two cents a
mile for the passenger service in the
state, when account Is made of the
free transportation given those to
whom, under one pretext or another,
they think 1t necessary 70 give passes,
As a business proposition it is unjust
to the railways of the state that Gus
tom should place this burden upon
them, and they should be protected by
law, with adequate penalties for its
enforcement. If they protect them
selves against loss by charging in.
creased rates to those who pay for
transportation. then as q business
proposition it is unjust to those who
pay fare and they should be pro-
tected by law with adequate penalties
for its enforcement. Such a law
would relieve the railways from prac'
ticing an injustice upon a part OF theii
patrons and secure to them the same
profits upon investments which they
now HuNt ana W bilt SdlllC tiult utliii
Of a material reduction in passenger
rates. The passage OF a law agains'
the issuan c of any free passes, ex
cept to employees of the railways, ana
making the one accepting n free pas
a particeps criminis participating
criminal), both alike subject to penal
ties attached adequate for it's en-
forcement, with a reduction in passen
ger rates equivalent to the profits de
rived by the adjustment OF passe
would be alike just to the railways an,
the travelling public.
In the matter OF appropriations
would earnestly recommend the mos
rigid economy onsistent with tn
public welfare. The amount of an az
preparation does not always indicat
its character. What would seem
large sum appropriated for a specif
!, purpose may be in reality an econom
ical, expenditure Of public money
while a small amount set apart TO
the same purposes would be extraya
giant. The appropriation Of an amour
for any purpose obviously too meage
! for its accomplishment, while at tn
! time 1t would give color to the clair
: for economy by the legislature mai
. ilS w thC lOiloNIhb plCllldi "ouI
l show its true character, either In de
! ficiencies to be met or In poor servic
to the state, either of which woul
demonstrate clearly the dishonesty O
incompetency of the legislature mai
\ ing 1t. Our state institutions for tn
j car Of our detectives are CONSTANT
r growing and would naturally requir
t an increased amount for their maint,
nance. The people have a right to d.
t mand economical management 70
e them, and at the same time that thes
e wards of the state should receive mos
5 careful and conscientious care. Tn
legislature which succeeds in exc
c cising business judgment OF such hig
e character hat our state institution
are amply cared for without prof
e ga y, that appropriatcs funds In a
e amount sufficient to meet their d,
e mands without a deficiency, would n
ceive the appreciation of all rigf
thtp1tnr nnAn1a 90 tIa .4oto TIa n,