Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-17
LOOK TO THE LEoIsLATURE.

The legislature of 1908 will be the
most important body that has been
called upon to enact laws for the people
Of Nebraska within a quarter Of a cen
fury. The two previous legislatures
were torn up and distracted by sena-
torial contests, that continued prac-
tically during the entire session. The
coming legislature will deal simply
with issues that have no political sig
niicance, but concern all of the peo-
pie, regardless Of politics.
The most important duty Of the next
legislature will be the submission of
m~uch-needed constitutional amendments
and the revision Of our revenue laws.
On those issues no political lines can be
drawn, and every candidate for the
Legislature should be compelled to pub
licly declare himself. The people of
Nebraska have a right to demand
pledges from every candidate for the
legislature for specific reforms in our
system Of assessment and taxation.
Costly experience has taught the people
that glittering generalities and platform
platitudes canno be depended upon to
remedy fragrant abuses.
The taxpayers of Nebraska have paid
dearly for gross negligence and down
right corruption of shifty and venal
lawmakers who allow themselves to
be manipulated by corporation Hobbies
and jobbers. The people have been
fooled too many times to allow them
selves to be fooled again. They need
not only able, broad-minded men in the
legislature, but men of known integrity
and honor, who will not barter away
the peoples rights for a mess of pottage
or a railroad pass.
The people want men not only to hold
up their hands and pledge their sacred
honor, but also to sign a pledge that
they will vote and work for a law that
will prohibit n state officer from So
Netting or accepting corporation brides
in the shape of palace car Junkets from
Lincoln to Denver, California or Mexico
under any pretext, but will make APP
preparation OF a reasonable sum to re-
pay state officers money expended for
legitimate expenses while travelling on
public business.
The people of Nebraska have a right
to exact a pledge from every candidate
for the legislature that he will work for
and support a bill to prohibit members
OF the legislature from soliciting or &C
cepting free transportation, telegraph
and telephone franks or any other COM
plimentary gift from any railroad cor
poration, telegraph, telephone, express
or palace car company for himself, his
family or any of his friends.
The people have a right to demand
that every candidate for the coming
legislature shall pledge himself open
and above board to vote fer and support
q bill to tax express companies and
| other public carriers enjoying valuable
franchises which pay taxes in every
other state except Nebraska:
The people of Nebraska have a right to,
demand that every candidate for the
legislature be pledged to support and
vote for a bill to remedy any defects
that may be found in the revenue laws
that prevent a just distribution of the
public burdens, not only in state and
county taxes, but also in municipal tax
alton. and every candidate who declines
to make these pledges should be given
to understand that he will forfeit any
claim he may have on the support Of the
people by reason of party afiliation.
The next legislature should represent
the people. 1t should enact laws for
all classes of citizens and property own
! ers without favoritism or discrimination.