Omaha daily bee., 1905-09-26
PASSES AT THE ANT1-PAss PLANK.

Blair Pilot: The latest report from the
seat of (state) government is to the effect
that the state officers have turned in not
only their railroad passes. but their Pull
man passes, telegraph and express franks
as well. who says that what the repub-
licans say in convention is without mean
ing2
Central City Republican: Whenever he
is sounded Governor Mickey rings true. He
set the example for his fellow officials by
returning his passes, as soon as he was in
formed OF the action Of the republican con-
vention. This rejection of passes is one
of the means for the leveling of railroad
influence, and along this line much more
will have to be done before the state shakes
itself free from the steel grip fastened
upon It.
Beatrice Times: Very soon after learn
ing of the adoption of the anti-railroad
pass resolution by the state convention,
several OF the state officials, including the
governor and attorney general. returned
all the passes in their possession to the
railroads that had issued them. This shows
respect upon the part OF the these officials
for the voice Of the republicans of this
state. 1t augurs we'll for the ultimate
wiping out of the free pass business.
Aurora Republican,: The populists are
passing resolutions in their conventions ac-
cusing the republicans of stealing the
antipass party plank from them. We are
willing to admit that the pops have the
first claim on that issue. But there is quite
difference in the method in which the
issue is used, The pops passed high sound
ing resolutions for effect only and their
officials almost ran the pass distributors
into bankruptcy. The republicans have
made a very calm declaration on the pass
question and already Office holders are
handing in their pasteboards and submit
ting quietly to the wishes of the people.
We admit to the theft of populst issue
in name only. But we are going to make
a far different use Of it.
Grand Island Independent: One Of the
state officers evidently fears that II this
state shall legislate free transportation
out of existence the state debt will in
crease in leaps and bounds! There will be
a deficit in his department, and there will
be increased expenses in other departments
But, really, he ought not to worry. The
people Of the state will very likely not only
be able to foot the bill, but In the end
will make money by It. It is not at all
unreasonable to believe that with the in
creased revenues that will result, the rail-
roads will be able to make at least
21s cent fare, and the saving to the tax
payer of this state will be several fold
that which he must pay out in increased
taxation. The deficit" boyle man isn't
likely to brighten anybody.
Grand Island Independent: The plank of
the republican party's platform referring
TO the question of free transportation on
the railroads, and the expected attending
obligations reads: We believe that free
transportation on the railroads is detri-
mental to the interests of the people, and
recommend that law be enacted by the
legislature of the state to prohibit It," Il
Is plain plank. The party expresses its
conviction in no uncertain tone All free
transportation is condemned, and the re-
publican state officials unquestionably did
the consistent thing when they put that
declaration into effect Immediately so far
as they were concerned. II 1t is evil in its
tendencies as to some Offices, and subject
to discontinuance by law next year. 1t will
scarcely be found to be good this year.
Osceola Record: For the first time in the
history Of the party in this state 1t has
taken up the pass evil and will eliminate 1t
from politics in Nebraska before it gets
through. The people OF Nebraska well know
that there is no hope of pass abolition un-
der the pops because that party has been
shamefully and VIGOROUSLY recreant to its
specific platform pledges on this matter
The republican party is the party that does
things 1t Is the only political organization
that the people can look to for relief and be
assured of getting 1t, and its position on
the pass question is the first signal that the
end of free railroad passes is in sight. For
several months this paper has been declar-
ing the position OF the party in this state
and county on the pass business. The party
has now spoken and it's language cannot
be misunderstood. The next legislature will
take up the pass matter and settle it, and
settle 1t right.
Grand Island Independent: There is a
very general disposition on the part Of re-
publicans all over the state, and particu-
larry OF republicans in state offices, to
construe the anti-pass plank of the state
platform as meaning something. The pass
system has been declared to be evil in its
tendencies Legislation has been demanded
to wipe 1t out The state officers have
properly not waited for the legislation
Regarding the party as being sincere they
have divorced themselves from a system
which has been discountenanced. In ad-
dltion to the state officers recently men
toned Auditor Searle has turned in his
General W. T. Thompson of Central City
has followed suit, and this action is gem
orally recognized as the only thing to do
on the part of republican office holders IL
they desire to be in harmony with the
tenets OF the party as enunciated and pro-
mulgated in the state platform.
Albion News: All honor to Governor
Mickey and the other state officers who
turned in all their re- road passes lmme-
diately after the state convention passed
resolution declaring it to be the belief
OF the party that "the issuing of free
transportation was against the best inter-
ests OF the people" They did not wait for
law to compel them to act but slgnified
their desire to abide by the wishes Of their
party Senator Burkett also returned his
passes and bought a ticket for Washing
ton. The leaven Is surely working and In
time will purify the whole body polite IL
the people continue TO demand It. When
officials and candidates, and delegates to
conventions are all free from the railroad
yoke and are elected to serve the whole
people, then can be secured Just and
equitable rates for freight and passenger
service, and laws which will compel the
railroads to bear their share of the burden
OF taxation. These reforms can never be
obtained so long as public officers and the