The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-04-27
6be Nebraska Independent
A PROPHET.
Mr.. Morning ForeteIIs the Work Of The
Independent.
TIC the Editor of The Independent:

lated upon the entry of such a man as Mr.. Berge
into the field of journalism Those who know
Mr.. Berge well enough to know his position upon
public questions, and the tenacity with which
he clings to them and the courage with which
he fights for them, and his ability to make him.
self understood, and his very unusual power of
making a success of whatever he undertakes
will anticipate nothing but the most decided sue
cess in the enterprise. This paper will not only
live and continue to grow, but it will be pro-
nounced success as business enterprise, and it
is destined to be power in this state and nation
which no man in public life can afford to ignore.
Being independent in it's politics, it will be free
to attack and expose dishonesty and grating
wherever found. Honest men in public life will
find in it a friend and champion, but the CRATER,
and political boss will find in it an uncompro-
missing enemy. There never was more oppOr-
tune time for a man like Mr. Berge to enter the
field of independent journalism. The recent ses-
sion of the state legislature demonstrated to the
people of this state how completely the state gov
eminent is in the hands of the railroads. The
individual members of the legislature were per-
haps as good, if not better than the average, in
point of ability and honesty. Most of the MEM
bers doubtless, intended, when elected, to be
true to their constituents But they fell into the
trap which is constantly set for the representa-
tives of the people by the railroads and other
corporate interests, and they soon lost their po-
litical virtue. Most of them accepted free passes
from the railroads before they came here They
accepted the courtesy" of the telephone company
in placing long distance phone in the hotels to
enable them to talk to distant points over the
state free Of charge They permitted the numer-
Gus paid lobbyists, who infest the state house
when the legislature is in session, to become
"chummy" with them, and call them by their
first names, and to show them all kinds OF
"courtesies" to which they not accus-
toned at home. The result was as the railroads
and other special interests desired, and nothing
was done by the legislature to relieve the people
from railroad determinations The people are
now ready for the fight. The free pass must CO.
No matter who has used passes or who has not
that is not the question. The system is wrong
This nuisance must be abated. No progress can
be made in cleaning up public life, and in taking
the government out Of the hands Of the rail-
roads, until this free pass system is exterminat-
ed. 1t has poisoned the fountains and sources Of
public opinion 1t has converted the ablest and
best men in every community into apologists for
the existing order of things Men who ought to
be the leaders of public sentiment and who ought
to be moulding public opinion in favor of re-
form, have either had their mouths entirely
closed by this free pass system, or they have
become the open champions of railroad inter-
ests The time has come, and the people are
now ready to end this system. The free pass is
doomed. No one can now say which party will
be the instrumentaity through which this will
be brought about. But it is safe to say that the
time is now here when the party which under
takes to straddle or dodge this issue will go
down in ignominious defeat. Public sentiment will
do the work through the instrumentaty Of one
party or the other. Public sentiment will enter
the party conventions and insist upon nominating
men for the legislature who will not only say
that they favor the abolition of the free pass,
but who are known to stand right on this ques-
tion and who can be trusted when elected. Pub
lie sentiment will force party conventions to
take decided stand on this question. 1t is now
looked upon as disgrace for man to clean
spitoons around a saloon for free drinks, and
the time will come when public opinion will make
it just as much of disgrace to do the bidding
of the railroad companies for free transportation
This naner will be potent factor in creating