The independent., 1904-01-28

The Independents first page article
three weeks ago regarding the beautles
of republican redemption, and the
consequent alarming increase in the
state debt. has smoked out the re-
publican bureau of information at
the state house. Sundays State Jour-
nal OATH contained column and
quarter of even funnier special plead
ing than that which made the "ket-
tie case famous. And Mondays Star
contains an editorial rehash OF the
Journal article.
"The fusion organs" say the col
laborators of this tissue OF fact and
fancy, "are already beginning their
campaign to demonstrate that the re-
publican party has pursued an extrav-
agant policy in the state" NO cam
paign is necessary to demonstrate
that. All the average taxpayer has
to do is to consult his 1903 tax re-
ceipt.
Republican leaders" the special
pleaders go on. "are not greatly con-
cerned, however" Doubtless. They
have a mullet-head following that can
be depended upon to "vote 'er
straight" Still, If they are really not
greatly concerned" why waste SO
much valuable space making explain
ations which do not explain!
"They admit that the debt has
grown somewhat since the beginning
of the last republican regime"-why
not redemption ?"-"but insistence is
placed on the fact that the fusion adj
ministration allowed the state build
ings to deteriorate," etc. Now, there's
gall for you! The "deterioIating"
fires which destroyed the peniten-
tlary and Norfolk asylum are with
"insistence" and by inference charged
up to the "fusion administration =
even though these occurred through
the carelessn ess-criminal neglect-of
republican officials, after Nebraska had
been redeemed
.'The claim is made" (but the
claimant" wisely conceals his fden-
tity) "that a comparison OF the ex-
penditures of the fusionists with
those of the republicans will show
that much of the increase has been
due to the additions made to the per-
manent state investments" Another
characteristic republican statement,
purposely intended to deceive the
mullet heads Calling building a
permanent state investment may be
theoretically sound, but the intention
is to have the .1ullet head think that
the big investments made by Treas
urer Mortensen for the permanent edu-
Jc- in, 10 oop
bonds, state warrants, etc.-have
caused part of the $595,0O0 increase
which the 'redeemers" have added TO
the state debt.
The republican campaign bureau
then gives a tabulated statement OF
extraordinary expenses due to un-
foreseen and previously contracted
debts from January, 1901, to Noyem-
ber 80 1908, which were added TO the
state debt are as follows
For rebuilding and refur-
nishing the state peniten-
tiary. which was burned
Feb. 2S, 1901. ............ $llS,200.00
For wolf bounties partly ac-
cumulated under fusion
administration ......... 100000
Deficiency from fusion ad-
minlstraton which re-
publican legislature had to
make good In order to
preserve the states credit lS2,7So.97
For return OF First Nebras-
ka regiment from San
Francisco ............... 47,S1O.T5
For addition TO Hastings
asylum, the inmates hav-
ing increased from 5is In
1897. TO 1913. Jan. !. 1904 bb,oO0.O0
For nine supreme court
commissioners and their
assistants .,,.....s....,, Sa,S00.00
For pan-Ameriean expoai-
sIon at Buffalo. ,.,....,. 100000
For permanent location oi
Nebraska state fair. r..... a5,0o0.00
Total extraordinary exp. $aIs ,i06.Ts
Adroltiy calling attention to the
si.A5G. .aS9.s6 of state floating debt ON
November 30. 1897, but arttiilly con-