The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1906-05-24
POSITIVE and NEGATIVE
LaF gillette and Foraker Represent
Opposite Poles on Railroad
Rate Legislation

in line and make it unanimous as
far as the republicans were con-
cerned. But he would not do it. He
was implored and told it would be
different if his vote against the bill
would do any good. Then when he
had voted several republican senators,
whose names cannot be given went to
the Ohioan and said they agreed with
him and wished they could have voted
with him. All of which shows that
here was one day when public senti-
ment did do something in the senate
of the United States, for there were
senators who acknowledged they were
voting for something they did not
want.
While I may be alone in my vote"
said Mr.. Foraker, II am not alone
in my opinion among senator's on this
floor"
Then Senator Foraker explained
that, as he could not do any good to
himself, to the country or to the in
terests involved by voting for bill
that was sure TO be passed anyway,
he would have the satisfaction Of
knowing he had voted as he believed.
While Foraker stands at this mega
tive pole where lightning may strike,
LaFollette stands at the positive.
Harken to this battle cry of the
junior senator from Wisconsin. Lis
ten to the reference to the leader
ship of the railroad senators-hoW
that kind of talk already has worked
political revolution. Hear the implied
denunciations of his republican col
leagues for their "hazing' of him and
then remember that in conclusion La
Toilette said the new campaign is
to begin with the congressional cleo.
tions, and the state elections where
the legislators who choose United
States senators are in the field next
fall
Before I record my vote on this
bill + desire to enter a denial here,
said the Wisconsin man. Il deny
that this bill complies with the recon-
mendation of the president. The pres
ident, in his message in 1901, urged
upon congress the amendment of The
law, declaring that the people of this
country were entitled to just rates
In 1904, in his message urging legis
lation upon this subject, he recon
mended such legislatio as would in
sure reasonable rates. In 1905, hi
recommended such legislation a.
would insure maximum reasonable
rates.
.This bill does not comply with an.
of the recommendations of the preSi
dent. It does not contain provisions
that will enable the commission t.
ascertain what are reasonable maxi
mum rates. 1t does not contain pro
visions that will enable the commits
sion to ascertain what are reasonable
rate, or what are just rates.
Il desire, sir, to protest against tn
making of this question a politica
or partisan question. 1t has beel
done here apparently upon this floor
1t cannot be done in the country
however senators upon this floor, un
der the lead of republican senators
may seek to draw party lines. Yo
cannot divide the people of this coun
try on political lines upon question
as to whether the public service COZ
porations of the country shall serv
the people of the country fairly, equ
tably, reasonably, justly.
II offered some amendments her
from time to time to the bill. / of
cred no amendment to the bill upo
which any political question ougn
to have been raised or any party vot
cast. Every amendment which of
cred to the bill would have strens
thened its provisions and made