The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-09-22

George w. Berge, candidate for gov
crnor on the populist and democratic
tickets. spoke as follows:
Mr.. Chairman. Ladies and Gentle
men: In accepting this nomination LOT
the chief executive Office OF the state,
am fnlly conscious OF the response
bilities it places upon me. Inc Cam
paign upon which we are entering, ia
many respects, is the most important
IN which the people of the state nave
ever engaged. | want to express the
Measure it is to me that this opening
meeting of the campaign is here In
nv home city where l have lived for
fourteen wears. | believe that tie peo-
ME Of this county, who have known me
during these years, will have confidence
q what i say here, and that even my
political opponents, who Will perhaps
reject my views or dispute my Judg-
ment, will at least not question my SIN
certify.
since nv nomination | have been
advised to do many things to make my
election sure. Some Of the Suggestions
I have received were good ones, others
were not SO good | have been glad'
however to receive every suggestion
thaf has been made because they nave
all helped me to adopt what ! nope
il The right course in this canpdlsh.
have made up my mind tEat Tue
nroper course for me in this campaign
il the straight forward course wilnout
any attempt to edge myself into the
ovec,ltiye chair. II am elected, Will
take the executive chair unpledged ana
free. / will not be under any oDllga-
finn 70 any interest, neither will al
low myself to be put into an attitude
~ hostility to any interest. ] believe
the people want the public anaiIs Oh
this state administered without uicta-
ton from any influence and wl.hont
nreiudice against any influence.
would rather be defeated and live OUT
nv life among you here as private
citizen than to be the mere creature or
tool of any of the forces that contend
against each other in Nebraska poll
tics. hope that have no .piccon-
ceived bias or prejudice for or against
any business interest. believe that
It is possible for an executive TO De lar
to the corporations and yet be 1alln-
{ full to The people. | pledge you good
faith and my best ability in the con-
sideration of every question that shall
come before me.
Ii has been frequently asserted that
there are no issues in this campaign,
except TO get the offices. 1t has been
said that the populists and democrats
no longer represent any principle, and
that this campaign is simply scram-
BILE for spoils Ii | believed this,
would resign my candidacy at once.
Ii this was true, there would be no
good reason for the election OF any
candidate on the fusion ticket.
But who is it that says there are
no issues? 1t is easy for those hold
ing Official positions under the domi-
nant party to say that there are no is
sues. Have the taxpayers said that
there are no issues? Do the farmers
the business men, and the laboring men
say that there are no issues in this
campaign? 1t can be shown that q
great deal Of money has been reck-
lessly squandered during the last two
years, and Go the men, who arc taxed
Z to raise this money, do they say there
are no issues? The great mass Of Ne
braska citizens have had but little tc
say in the state government here fol
good many years, and do these citi-
zens say that there are no issues
There is class, who have enjoyed
special privileges as the favorites OF
the corporations. 1t may seem TO these
that SO long as their special privileges
continue that there are really 70 is
! sues In this state. Certain business in
terests have been In part exempt frcn
taxation Perhaps, the representative.
Of these interests feel that there ar,
no issues in this campaign. But be
lieve that the people, who are loolAlns
after their side of public affairs. ar,
beginning to realize that there ar,
some issues In this state, and that the,
I are OF character so serious as to b,
vital to them. II this Is to be self
governing state.
The fact Il that tho government o
this state has long since passed gu
az the hands Of the people and into IN,
hands Of political bosses and certain
corporation Influences I sneak az mi,