The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-03-31

goes into the pockets OF the little
band of big bandits.
It was hard times for most laborers
eight years ago and it is difficult 10
see how it is better times now. for
these who have been continuously
employed, than during the aeknowl-
edged hard times of few years ago.
AS a matter of fact, it is not. Inc
only benefit labor has realized from
the adoption by the republicans of the
calamity howler's" theory, that as
the hard times were produced by con-
traction. prosperity would inevitably
be result of expansion, is in re-
duction in the number of those living
on charity
Had some other reform measures
been assimilated by the party in pow
err in connection with the imitation
measure, the prosperity which that
has brought would have been realized
and enjoyed by labor as well as CAPT.
tai, but under the guidance OF plu-
tocratic steering committee, the only
prosperity their lop-sided measures
have brought to the country is the
prosperity Of the oligarchy.
And the dominant party, through
whose alliance with these piratical
combinations this condition las been
reached points with pride to what 1T
has done!
Against the mob the monopolists
believe they have the means to defend
themselves, but not against progress
sive taxation.
They stand aghast at a suggestion
that labor should resort 10 this potent,
this omnipotent weapon of defense
against their lawless practices.
They have the wealth Of the coun-
try; they have billions OF aggregated
loot; they have vaults bursting with
concentrated plumber, TO hire Pinker-
ton detectives, to pay iron police and
to buy court DEGREES. But the puny
and ponderous ballot and the read
justing processes it can enact and en-
force are beyond the reach of their
billies and bullets.
All! but touch that magic button
in behalf of progressive taxation and
we will help them to shudder at the
peaceable and speedy restoration OF
justice to our vast army of Industrial
lists. We will aid them to stand
aghast at the approach Of readjusting
measures, that will gradually replevin
their stores of plumber, for relieving
the oppressed and lifting the fallen.
Two bills of this nature have been
introduced in congress in the past ten
years and one or the other has been
on the house calendar Of every con-
gress since 1891, until the present corr
gress. The graduated property tax
bill was first introduced at the first
session of the Fifty-second congress
and reintroduced in every succeeding
one till the Fifty-sixth. That was a
complex measure and could not be en-
acted and enforced without a consti-
tutiOnal amendment.
On this account, as we'll as on &C
count of the increasing encroachmeDt
of corporations on individual rights,
the growing lawlessness and piracies
Of mOnopolies, and general demand
for an eradication of the trust evil,
drew the graduated corporation license
bill in 1899 as substitute for the
earlier bill.
This bill. with a petition signed by
l.. D. Llewelling (ex-gov), John +.
st. John (ex-gov), Edwin Taylor Tex
senator from Wyandotte county,, AMI
myself tex-lieut Cow, was sent to
Congressman Ridgely OF this district,
introduced by him on the 10th day CT
January, 1900, and mummified in the
catacombs of the finance committee
with due and modern celebrity
Taxation is the only peaceable meth
cd by which the trusts and corpora
tons will be called down and the
concentrated loot of the multi-mil-
lionaires repleyined; and IL would
furnish the money at once to buy pub
lie utilities. 1t Is the only thing plu-
tocracy fears but the mob. Way back
In the early days OF corporate vicious
ness when the people were confiding
and simple. some milder and better