Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-12

THE FUSfONlST LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
What the program Of the fusion mem
bers OF the pending Nebraska legisla-
ture is to be may be gathered with fair
approximation from the advise offered
to them by the official populist organ,
the Nebraska Independent In its cur
rent issue it declares:
With your four members in the senate
and ,twenty-four in the house you cannot
hope to accomplish anything except as a
portion Of the majority chooses TO aid you.
See to It that bills are introduced covering
every promised reform in the p~opulist and
democratic platforms. Put the so-called
anti-monopoly republicans to the test. II
they are sincere, they will hnd a way to
aid you. II they are not, then put them
on record.
Place no distractions in the way Of any
republican bills which have the right ring
TO them. But on every measure of doubtful
merit or unquestionably bad, see to It that
the record is made 80 that the republicans
cannot shirk the responsibility.
Introduce a bill to reduce local freight
rates Is per cent on live stock, hay, grain
and mill products.
n Dlll W ItuuCt pdbhtuBtI ldltS " az
cents per mile-of better still, one making
a fiat rate for any distance within the
state.
A bill which will provide means Of &C
c~urstely ascertaining the value of property
and franchises of railroad, telegraph, tele-
phone, express, n sleeping car, dining
car and freight dispatch companies, and
for equitable assessment and taxation of
such companies.
A bill to amend the Yeiser referendum
law. making It more easy Of application.
A bill making railway corporations and
others engaged in the operation Of danger
Gus machinery liable for all injuries sus-
tanned by their employees in the faithful
discharge Of their duties, whether occa-
stoned by the negligence Of the employer
or of any other employe."
A bill TO correct the Burlington vol
untary relief abuses. And, while on this
head, a resolution requiring the auditor 10
show cause why he has permitted this con-
Germ to solicit and write life and accident
insurance without complying with the in
surance laws Of Nebraska.
An anti-blacklist bill.
An anti-pass bill.
A bill to establish a binding Irvine fac
tory at the penitentiary.
Stand for liberal appropriations for the
cause Of education, and for all Legitimate
departments of state government. Try to
cut of the oil inspection farce" Help to
settle that mooted question about supreme
court fees, Help get a constitutional con-
v~ention.
The majority will doubtless present an
elaborate revenue law. 1t will be safe to
vote against it. Our present law is as good
as any new mushroom which sprouts in a
night. But insist upon increasing the limit
for general fund state purposes, so the
state board can levy as much in two years
as you permit to be expended. Express
property and telephones should be assessed
as railroads are. But don't be fooled into
voting extravagant penalties for the pun
ishment Of assessors who initiate the state
board in crowding dawn assessments.
While there is much in this program
to be commended and much also that is
Of questionable public policy, 1t gives
the republicans who are intent upon
working substantial reforms in different
departments of the state government an
idea how far they can count on support
from the fusion side in case It comes to
a point where the majority party is di
vided in opinion. So far as the people
of Nebraska are concerned, with rela.
ton to the legislation most vitality de
manded, it is not a matter of politics
but of business, and members who are
for reform In fact rather than merely
in name will be expected to stand VI
and be counted at the right time, ir
respective of party label.