The independent., 1906-08-23

ship of Americas distinguished states
man, William ]. Bryan.
1--WE extend to Mr.. Bryan a hearty
welcome home. We rejoice that he
stands today as a conspicuous and
central figure in the great moral and
political revolution which is now
sweeping over the country While all
the states rejoice that he has become
the first citizen of the world it re-
mains only for our state to boast
that it gave him political birth and
started him upon the highway of
fame and usefulness.
I'VE recognize that in the present
campaign state issues are dominant,
and to the people of Nebraska regard
less of party we offer certain pledges
and promise their prompt execution
if entrusted with the administration
of state government.
"We will pass comprehensive dl-
rect primary law for the whole state,
under which party candidates for all
offices shall be nominated by the di-
rect vote of the people.
1--WE will enact stringent anti
pass law to prohibit all persons ex-
cept bona fide railway employees and
stockmen in actual charge Of live
stock from accepting or riding upon
railroad passes and to prohibit rail
roads from issuing them and to pun
ish railroad officials for the violation
of the law, making each violation a
misdemeanor, punishable by fine and
forfeiture of Office in case of public
officials and by fine in all other cases.
Until this is accomplished we shall en-
force the present anti-pass law, here
tofore neglected and obsolete upon
the statute books Of the state
1--WE will pass law providing for
maximum passenger fare within
the state of Nebraska of two cents a
mile including penalties for its vio-
lation.
s'We will enforce through the state
board of equalization the equal and
, just assessment of all property in the
state, including railroad property, up
on the basis of the actual value of the
| stocks and bonds.
eve endorse the proposed amend
ment to the constitution providing for
a railway commission as a step in the
| right direction and pledge our candi-
| dates if elected to give the commits
sion the fullest support and broadest
powers for bringing relief to the peo-
| pie from the present unjust and ex-
orbitant freight rates and discrimina-
| tions.
1--WE declare in favor of the plan of
| adopting the same railroad valuations
for purposes of taxation that are
| adopted for the purpose of regulating
railroad rates and railroad earnings,
| and we demand that the legislature
empower the elective railroad com
mission to appraise and determine the
actual value of the railroad corpora
tions and other common carriers of
the state for these two purposes.
"We point to the scandalous record
of the last legislature which at the
| bidding of its bosses defeated the anti
pass bill, bills reducing freight rates,
the direct primary bill, the bill to ac-
sess the railroad property on the value
| of it's stock and bonds, and which
| INDUCED in wild extravaganza of ap-
| preparations; and we promise if en-
trusted with power by the people of
| Nebraska such relief from tax bur
dens as may be possible by econ
omy in state government and equali-
zation of assessments
Eve denounce the majority mem
bers of the present state board OF
equalization as brazen railroad tools,
and we are amazed at their effrontery
in seeking denomination and cleo