The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-09-13
Mr.. Brian is concerned / will say that

charges OF republicans themselves. Ii
these three men are under the influ-
ence of the railroads and will do what
the railroads want, then / want to ask
you how we can accomplish anything
along the line of railroad assessment
unless these men are defeated. In
no other way can we get just and
equitable assessment of the railroads.
1t will not do for us to go through
this campaign and let the railroads
and the politicians hide all the re-
forms we want behind the election of
United States senator and gov
ernor. Here are some specific re-
forms that the people demand And
am in favor of the election of the
fusion ticket because / believe in that |
way we can accomplish more for the
people of this state. / want to ask |
you how we are going to tax the rail |
roads equitably and justly during the |
next two years with the same kind |
OF board as we have had during the |
last two years which the republicans
themselves have condemned and have
themselves charged as being under
the control of the railroads? The as
PNoSAiiNhe VI tilC ltblll ouuo eulG ldSl /
year was not raised relatively as much
as your property and my property
want all Of the taxpayers to consider
carefully this question before they cast
their votes this fall. You can accom-
plish nothing along this line by the
election of the republican ticket We
can make Roadway upon this ques-
ton only by electing the fusion ticket
Passenger Rates
Next comes the question of reduc-
ing passenger rates In this state to
two cents per mile. We want a law
enacted to prohibit free railroad
passes. When that is done and every
body pays who rides and with the en-
ormous increase of business passenger
rates surely should be reduced to two
cents per mile. Both the democrats
and populists have declared for a two
cent rate. The republican platform is
silent upon that question. If repub- F.
llcan legislature is elected it will not
favor the passage of such law. The
republicans are opposed to such law
or they would have declared for 1t
In their platform If a fusion legisla-
ture Is elected it is in duty bound to
pass such law. We must keen our
minds fixed upon what we want and
drive it home on election day.
Freight Rates
The next question that is of vital
concern to the people of this state
is the question of freight rates and
adequate facilities which the rail
roads should furnish to the people.
Along this line the experiences of
the people in the past have been very
disappointing and bitter. Nearly all
legislation in the past, both in the
state and nation, has proved INSULT
cient upon this question. The rail
roads, generally speaking, have been
able to ride over every legislative en-
actment The railroads have not only
been able to defy and set aside nearly
all laws but have also been able in
the main to control public officials so
that laws that were adequate were not
enforced.
In 1887 the legislature of Nebraska
created a state board of transporta-
ton and until 1901 three secretaries
occupied the positions created under
that law and drew their salaries with !
out giving any relief whatever to the
people. This board did little more
than to serve as a medium for the I
distribution Of passes and as a mat y
ter OF fact served the railroads bet I
Ter than the people. For nearly fifteen
years the people were held in suspense !
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