The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-08-23
AN ELOQUENT WARNING
Chairman Skies Sounds Note OIL
Warning in Opening Speech at
Democratic Convention

Chairman Skies opening speech
at the democratic state convention
was a masterpiece throughout, but
owing to lack of space we can only
give few of the closing paragraphs
which are deserving of special at
tention, having the ring of true metal,
The closing remarks of Chairman
Skies were as follows:
Gentlemen, | have heard it init
mated that the republican convention
which meets in this city the 23rd may
name a radical candidate for COVER
nor, and that, therefore. it behooves
us, il we wish to win, to nominate
a conservative. In the first place
do you believe the Republican-railroad
owned-party of Nebraska will nomi-
nate genuine, radical, anti-railroad
candidate for governor, or for any
other high Office? This will happen
when the railroads of this state go
out of politics, when Burns and Nc
keson are defeated for the legisla
ture, when Satan espouses the cause
OF Christianity. 'Tis an idle dream.
But even if it were true, can the demo-
cratic party of Nebraska, which has
given to the nation and world
Bryan, afford to compromise the party
OF this state for the hope of the off
ices? You cannot make the demo
cratic party of Nebraska an ally Of
the railroads, or an oppressor of the
people. The attempt has always re-
suited in failure. A few leaders,
captains, lieutenants, or even editors
may temporize for policy's sake, but
the great rank and file of the demo-
cratic party is in deadly earnest and
will never follow you, never. If the
democratic and populist parties of
this state succeed in converting the
rank and file of the republican party
and induce it to throw off the yoke
of corporation rule, is that any rea-
son why we should wear the cast-off
badge of corruption? Because they
become virtuous, shall we abandon
righteousness?
Let us not be lulled to sleep by the
sirens song of conservatism. If
they mean by conservatism a preser-
walton of all that is good, opposition
to anarchy and lawlessness, then
we are conservative. But if they
mean by conservatism and part of
the stand pat" doctrine, if they mean
CESSATION of hostilities against the
thieves who are plundering the peck
cts of the poor by unjust laws and
illegal practices, if they mean the
same old freight and passenger rates
in Nebraska and non-payment of taxes
by the railroads, then sir, we are not
conservative. If prosecution and send
ing to the penitentiary violators of
the law, whether millionaire, or pau
per, whether employer or laborer, is
radicalism, if the determination of
graft and the pass system is radical
ism, then sir, let us nominate a radi-
cal of the radicals.
"The Independent non-partisan vot-
er has the center of the stage today,
and will decide the next election in
this state and nation. Partisan clap
trap will not affect him. Mere pre-
tensions will not convince him. In
sincere platforms and spineless can
didates will not appeal to him. If we
are to secure and deserve the intelli- |
gent, independent votes, we must nom
mate sincere men upon sincere plat |
forms. And if we do this, Nebraska
will be in the democratic column
when the votes are counted in No |
yember. | believe this convention |
will adopt platform so sharp and de-
cisive that no railroad tool can strad- !
die it and be comfortable; that we