The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-11-24

pie and not their masters, and will
show you even clergyman who does
not enjoy the courtesy of half-fare on
the railroads.
insist that the free pass stands be-
tween the pc pie and their government.
Ii the railroads do not benefit by the
free pass system, then the railroads
should join us in trying to abolish this
vicious system. The railroads cling to
the free pass system because by it
and through it and with it they procure
the government away from the people.
| hear a good deal said about issues
lately There is but one issue in this
state, and that is whether the people
shall rule. Or whether railroads shall
rule. Government ownership of rail-
roads may be the ultimate solution.
but until that day comes the people
must assert themselves and become
masters again, and make the rail-
roads serve them, and | maintain that
it can not be done while the free pass
system remains.
G. w. BERGE.
(Given at the Laymen club meeting
Tuesday evening, November %, 1904
J. H. Ager led, his subject being Rail
road Passes
Triumph of Democracy
Cincinnati, Ohio. Nov. 20--At the
Vine Street Congregational church, tho
pastor, Herbert S. Bigelow. discussed
the text:
He that is void of wisdom despis-
eth his neighbor; but man of I'M
derstanding holdeth his peace. Where
no counsel is, the people fall; but in
the multitude of counsellors there is
safety"
Mr.. Bigelow said in part
This is good doctrine for both church
and state. The strength of a~church,
the safety of state depend upon the
extent to which the people enter into
their management.
Who says that our experiment in
democracy is not success? If the
end and aim of government is to de-
velop men, then democracy is ordained
of God.
The true American is he who is al
ways delighted with the election re-
turns. Every election will go precisely
to suit him. Let the people discuss
and determine. Their responsibility in
government is their opportunity to
grow. Their government is mirror
which they hold up before their own
faces. In this republic they have what
they want, and no American will COM
plain of that Their decisions may not
please the prophets, but they repre-
sent the people and mark their prog
ress.
We hear much these days about the |
wickedness of the politicians. They |
are not worse than other men. If they
seem SO it is because they have greater
temptations.
In the city of Cleveland, the street
car companies have been making a
long fight fer new franchises. To help
them in this, the Ohio legislature abol-
ished spring elections. If they could
elect councilmen while popular inter-
est was fixed on presidential election,
they had hope of success. What is the
result? The council stands 16 to 16,
and the deciding vote is with the chair
man, an an-i-railroad man. The peo-
pie won a scratch victory and they
did it by scratching. Nearly half Of
The people of Cleveland scratched thier
oallots-a most remarkable and graft
Tying evidence of the increasing in
,elligenco and independence of our ;
American citizenship.
But tremble for those councilmen.
vote or two is all the companies {
iced. And franchises worth millions
ire at stake. Is it not time we re- '
luired referendum vote on all such
franchises and save our councilmen
rom such fearful temptations? If
If one of those councilmen sue {
umbs, we brand him as a boodler We
eem to forget that if there is corrup- {
ion at the city hall. it is because there c
S something rotten in the chamber {
II commerce. Political corruption is | E
nut the barometer of commercial NOR I
lis. ,
Instead of complaining of our self
ggrandizing politicians, we might Z
With better grace repent of our neglect