The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-05-26

ture to take such measure TO the
battle line.
In our county convention of 1897 |
moved for an adjournment without
making nominations and call for
meeting Of the allied forces outside
of oil present party lines for the pur-
pose of reorganization. 1t was referred
to committee without debate" and
heard of never more" A large ma
jority of the convention favored such
an effort later. They said, wait till
after this campaign" Since then
have waited, participating in no po-
litical meetings Instead of move
ment to push up stream in the chan
mel defined by the legislature as hoped
for, the order is signalled TO drift
down stream under the head OF a par
ty machine.
Protesting against the decision and
the order. will cling to the banner
of readjusting taxation, and follow
the narrow path of an independent
The interests that controlled the
populist state convention Of 1893 are
responsible for the failure to respond
to the call of the legislature and move
forward.
For this failure as well as for the
abandonment of it's early methods and
purpose, the party deserves, not vindl-
cation, but rebuke.
Governor Leedy and his party ma
chine, as they were in control OF the
convention, are responsible for the
failure to sustain the legislature. For
this reason / oppose his reelection.
But there are other reasons why he
should be rebnked instead of vindi-
Gated. One of these I will cite.
There was a railroad scandal four
Years ago. 1t cost the state $4O,0O0
The populist senate demanded an in
yestigation. A resolution for the pur-
pose was passed and committee con-
sisting of Senator'S Taylor, Lands,
King, Wilcockson and Scott were ap-
pointed.
Later in the session the senate in
Guided an item in an appropriation
bill. appropriating the money neces-s
sary for the expenses OF the commit
tee. The republican house Of repre-
sentatiyes struck out the item. Inc
difference was referred to commit
tee of conference. The pOpulist con-
fierce appointed by the senate agreed
to recommend, as demanded by the
house of representatives, that the item
be stricken out and the investigation
killed. The bill passed as agreed on
by the conferees and the Investigation
was defeated.
Under the next administration, the
said populist senator was removed
from a state board fo1 disquallflca-
lions. When the present administra-
ton came in he was reappointed.
am not a defender of $4,000 swindles
on the people, and hence protest
against rewarding those who play
conspicuous part in covering them up.
The influences that dictated the
course Of the stale convention this
year were exeIted against both the
Judgment and preference of majority
of Governor Leedy $ associates in the
state house; and hence they bear but
little if any of the blame for its sins.
A part Of those on the state ticket
with him are entitled to reelection,
not because they have been nominated
by populist convention. but for espe-
cially efficient service. Some are en-
titled to support for sincerity of
purpose; and others, including Asso-
ciate Justice Allen, Congressman-at-
large Botkin, and Congressman Ridge
ly for both reasons.
With the present populist senate,
the cause Of good government, which
should be but is not the incentive OF
parties, could not suffer as much with
the executive council divided among
three parties, as 1t would to vindicate
with our votes those who deserve to
be rebuked.
The Important state boards that are
not chosen by the people, are either
elected by the executive council, or APP
pointed by the governor and confirmed
by the senate. II no one OF them could
be made up from any one party. the
state would get better service. The
minority should be represented on cv-
cry board by men not selected by the
agents of the majority.
Parties as they exist and operate to-
day are believing imposters and or
ganixed frauds. sowins little but de-
assf.f lon and -. .rle .tttf. f.s.s n.x.lf.