Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-15
Omaha, Neb.. Dec. 9Th. 1906.

Omaha, Neb.. Dec. 9Th. 1905.
To the Editor
Dear SRA meeting was held at David
City on the 18th ult by farmers and bust
ness men of Butler county, under a call Is
sued by parties unknown to me. and reso-
buttons were passed that will certainly DO
condemned by the sober second thought of
all fair-minded men, when tho true facts
are known.
The call was as misleading as The resolu-
tons are unjustifiable and the good people
of Butler county should not remain under
misapprehenson or be misled by misinfor-
nation That they may be made aware OF
the facts, l send this communication, be-
lieving that you and your readers want the
truth Under ordinary circumstances l
would not use the public press in 4 matter
In litigation in the courts, but the suits
now pending in the United States Court
between the Union Pacific and Burlington
Railroads and the County TreasIrers of
Nebra ska to prevent the forced collection
of n tax, based upon an assessment that is
unfair, inequitable and illegal under the
constitution OF the State, are of such inn
portance to every taxpayer and concern
wealth. that I feel fully warranted in ad-
dressing myself in this fashion to my fell
low citizens, realizing as l do their respect
for the rights of property and for the or
derby administration of the law.
/ 1t is the ill-fashion of the day to con-
denim everything corporate The artificial
ity that we call a corporation is the crea-
! ture of the law. and when created II Is en-
| titled to the protection of the law. The
individual persons who have organized 1t
| and put their substance into it are entitled
J to the same treatment OF their corporate
| property as is afforded to their personal
| belongings or to that OF other citizens.
The Railroad Corporations Of Nebraska
| are in no wise different from other bodies
| corporate. Their thousands of stockhold-
! ers have the right. as to the safeguarding
Of their ownership, TO the even protection
| by the Legislature. the Courts and public
officers that other citizens have and are
entitled to that Equality Before the Law"
that is the motto CT the State and is en-
blazoned upon it's shield.
The infiamed condition of the public mind
! that leads to the denial of a Railroad of
| every right except existence would compel
II to operate and yet have its revenues
absorbed by unfair and unequal tribute In
, the form of excessive taxation, WINE Hx-
ing rates OF transportation that are prac-
tically confiscatory, results from the false
hoods and exaggerations OF demagogues
and time servers who for purely selfish
purposes mislead their fellows.
The Railroads of Nebraska are not and
never have been enemies of its people.
They are and have been conducted by off,
Gals and employees who, while hound In
honor to safeguard the substantial inter-
ests of the stockholders of the roads. fully
realize that the interests Of the Railways
and the people served by their lines are SO
nearly allied that injury to the interest OF
one results in damage to the other.
So far as taxation is concerned, the
Railroads of this State have in ,ean and
fat years paid their taxes through the en-
tire period OF their existence until 1901
Even during the years OF depression, wher
the roads OF Nebraska were operated at 6
great loss and when money would have
been saved by not turning a wheel in the
State, taxes were paid by these corpora
lions promptly when due, and had it no