The public weal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1906-1908, 1907-01-01
Inconsistency shows insincerity.


The Republican caucus Of state
senators and representatives is un-
animous for the reelection OF Senator
Nelson to succeed himself.
The Republican platform declares
for railroad rate regulation Yet,
when H. R. 12987, the bill for regula-
tion of railroad rates was under con-
sideration number of glaring defects
appeared in the measure-no power
was given to the Interstate Commerce
Commission in whose hands enforce
ment largely lies, to determine the
actual value of a road so as to form
a proper basis for determining fair
warning, therefrom to determine upon
a rate. An amendment was submitted
correcting this defect. Nelson voted
against this amendment.
Some judges hold stock, and accept
passes and courtesies from roads fall
ing under this act. Clearly they are
practically parties to every case in
volving the interests of interstate rail-
roads that might come before them.
An amendment was proposed that
would debar them from trying cases
under the Interstate Commerce Com
mission law The justice and need OF
this are apparent. There can be no
effective rate regulation if cases must
come before a Judge who is practical
ly party to the trial. But Mr.. Mel
son voted against that.
The penalties are inadequate to put
a stop to the violations of the law. An
amendment to correct this defect was
voted against by Mr.. Nelson.
H. R. 1896, being a bill to- au-
thorize the construction OF the Lake
Erie and Ohio River Ship Canal OF the
length of about 22O miles and author
izing the issuance of securities In an
amount exceeding the estimated cost
of the Panama Canal was under con-
sideration. An amendment was SUBJ
mitted to prevent the watering OF the
stock. Mr.. Nelson spoke against this
provision to safeguard the interests
of the people and moved to lay the
amendment upon the table, as we'll as
two succeeding amendments, each
somewhat weaker in it's nature anC
framed to avoid Mr.. Nelson's objec
tiOnS.
Republican senators and representa-
tives who stand for temperance legis
!ation and who support Nelson are
Crafts of the International Reform
Bureau says of him, Senator Nelson
is so unusually devoted to liquor in
terests that he votes against keeping
it from Indians and against excludin,
it from government buildings owne'
by all the people. Very few drinking
men go as far as that" On pag
924O of the Congressional Record o
1906 is his amendment striking ou
the clause prohibiting the sale Q
beer, wine or other intoxicatln
liquors in the National Soldiers
Homes, which amendment he SUP
ported in a speech. And again o
page 9242 he introduced an ament
ment to remove an existing conditio
under which government money coul
not be appropriated to aid state or te
ritorial Soldiers Homes where a ba
for the sale of intoxicating liquors wa
maintained.
Senator Nelson is delightfl
gentleman He is most estimabl
: neighbor and a man of culture an
ability but friends Of the liquor ira
fic, Of special privileges to corpor
tions, of immunity baths for hig
criminals, of watered stock, of exto
tionate transportation rates to pay il
terest on investments that were nevt
invested have had a faithful serval
in him.
Let it be noted that Mr.. Lobec
elected from Mr.. Nelson's town ar
county against Republican, made
entangling alliance in order to l
sure his own election. The man wi
S+ondc in every emergency for Il