The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-10-05

have soon passed. Probably it would
have passed if he had called an extra
session in October. But as the re-
newed fight does not begin until De-
cember or January next, the session
will most likely end in July, 1906,
without the proposition of the presi-
dent becoming law. Last winter
! and spring the railroads were not
ready; next December they will be
ready and the proposition seems
| doomed.
The methods of defeating the meas
ure are we'll understood by all but
novices.
No vote will be allowed ON the di-
rect proposition The question will
be confused by all sorts of qualifica-
tons and additions; and the PROPOSE
ton will be SO overlaid with other
propositions that it will either pass
not at all or will pass in worthless
form, or quite likely In such a form
that the railroads will get more from
| it than the president and the people.
Has Had Experience
| Such was the case of the so-called
Elkins bill of February 10, 1903. The
| most important feature of that bill
was the repeal of the provision of
| the old law that punished violations
thereof by individual officers of rail
roads by Imprisonment as well as by
fine. / wish to say that the most
dangerous amendments or additions
| to the Esch-Townsend bill, which are
to be put forward next winter under
the guise of friendly improvements of
the bill, but really as railroad tricks
| intended to defeat it, are those which
can justly be opposed as carrying fed
eral power too far and as invading
! the proper domain of state rights.
| The majority of democrats will be
! willing or constrained to vote for
most of the propositions of the presi-
dent; but they will not vote for gross
engagements of federal power and
bold extinctions OF states rights.
| Therefore, it is most important that
| inasmuch as there is national power
to regulate commerce among the sew
eral states sufficient to authorize con-
gress to remedy all existing evils in
interstate railroad transportation,
power should not be pushed forward
either by enemies or friends to un-
| wise Entertainments upon the police
| powers of the states.
Enormous Capital
| Consider the enormous amount of
capital which has arrayed itself
against the presidents, 900 millions
of dollars; representing 100000 miles
of railroad; 1000 millions of dollars
of earnings each year; five millions
of stockholders; 100000 of workmen
with four millions of inhabitants be-
hind them. Bear in mind, also, that
not only can the railroads use unlim-
tied money to achieve their ends, but
| that they are the only combination
that can use directly their one pro-
duct everywhere and with everybody
Chat product being transportation
in order to corrupt legislatures, con
gress, and the whole state and ma
tional governments. The other trusts
cannot buy men or officials directly
with their oil, grain, beef and coal;
| these commodities must be converted
into money, and that must be expend
ed with danger of detection Bul
transportation is universal commo
4 dity which everybody everywhere
wants Free passes and mileage books
are as good as cash, many times are
better, and their corrupt use is cas-
lily concealed So is free or special
rate freight transportation. BY such
weapons of money and free transport
alton society in all it's branches is
corrupted and controlled.
First, the lawyers, by retainers anG
more or less employment, are as q