Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-15
CUNMINS URGES REFORMS
Reduction in Frsght and Passenger Rates
and Statewide Primaries
sTATtMtNT OF THE STATE FINANCES
Assembling of Legislature Finds
Everyone in Good Humor and Talk
of a Fight on DOIIiver Has
Disappeared.
From a Stan Correspondent)

P'rom a stan Correspondent
DIES MONIES, Jan. 14.-(Special )-Gov-
ernor Cummins. in his message to the
legislature. which convened today, aside
from discussion OF purely state matters,
urged the legislature TO pass a 2-cent fare
Dill; to pass resolution asking congress
/ to call a constitutional convention as
recommended by the recent interstate sena-
torial convention held here; a primary
election law along lines previously recon-
mended by him; an investigation OF freight
rates. which he maintained have not been
materially changed In this state for eigh-
teen years and allow great discrimination
reciprocal demurrage law; a law limiting
the hours Of employment OF railroad men
prohibiting corporations from contributing
| money to political campaigns; restrictions
! on lobbyists; a direct inheritance tax;
| civil service In state offices: an investiga-
/ ton of the municipal laws, and careful
| consideration of insurance legislation. A
large number Of other purely state matters
were considered. each briefly, by the gov
ernor, such as recommendation for as
| sistance to the Corn Growers associa ton.
more liberal assistance to the state fair,
publication OF roster Of the Iowa soldiers,
/ IN employers liability act and other mat
! tiers.
The governor discussed at some length
| the matter of appropriations and state ex-
| penses, in which he shows that this legis-
lature has a balance of Sgl7, 526 to appro-
! pirate, to which can be added some minor
additions in the way of possible unex-
pended balances. This sum is available
for what are known as extraordinary ex-
ha Of h0
state the governor estimates as 1854, 800,
and the probable receipts Sc, $1,000, leaving
the state levy at the usual figure of $751;
S26 His summary is as follows:
Cash on hand January 1, 19O7.......$ 731, s26
Estimated receipts. 6,1SO,OO
Total. .N,51i, Ss
Expenditures, including balances. :. 6, 5si' 800
Balance January l, 1SO9..........S sl752s
Primary Elections.
We have long tried the plan of unregu-
lated caucuses and conventions, and the
defects discovered in this system have been
so manifest that there is universal de-
mand for something better l therefore
mended before, an efficfent primary election
law. l recognize that there are differ
ences of opinion with respect not only
to the scope, but the demand of such a
law, but l sincerely hope that these diff
ferences may not be so broad or so funda-
mental that they cannot be reconciled; l
have given much thought 70 the subject
but shall not impose upon you at this
time more than a statement of the essen
tial features which primary election law
First, 1t should embrace the nominal
lions of candidates of all elective officers,
trict, including the office of senator of
the United States. Second, II should pro.
vide for the nomination of candidates for
these offices by the primary vote, and
should remit nominations,
circumstances. to a convention, except in
the event of a tie. Third, the primary cleo:
throughout the state on the same day
and at the same places. Fourth, there
should be some fair test of party afiilia-
ton.
Lobbying and the lobbyist.
! My views upon lobbying and the lobbyist
are fairly well known, but l venture once
more to express them. Corporations, as
wen as individuals. oftentimes have a d.
rect pecuniary or property interest in
measures which are proposed before legis-
lative bodies. When such measures arise
! ii is fundamental that they have the right
! to be heard. To deny them the privilege
/ of submitting either fact or argument to
| the men who make the laws would be
| intolerable in an enlightened govern
The lobbyist is not and ought not to
| be in good repute, and therefore l make
! this distinction. He who comes before
you, fairly argues the case given to him,
submits his case honestly and goes his
way is not a lobbyist, ana the leTms WnlCn
has become one of reproach, ought not
| to be applied to him. The real lobbyist
is the man who has no concern for the
merits of the law which he opposes. He
! lie the man who attempts TO create per-
sonal obligation which will influence votes
! He is the man who intrigues for combina-
tions in which votes for against one
measure are traded for votes for or against
another measure He is the man who pur-
sues his avocation behind locked doors and
in dark corners. He is the man who wants
to win, right or wrong. and puts his de-
sire to accomplish this purpose above his
duty as a citizen. Such a lobbyist ought
to be abolished everywhere.
Direct inheritance Tax.
| 1 do not look upon a tax of that char
acter as method for the reduction of
swollen fortune. / view 1t solely as an
other effort to equalize the burdens Of
society. 1t ought not to be levied upon
| small inheritances; but after the proper
limit is passed there is no reason which
justifes a collateral Inheritance tax whic.l
will not also Vindicate one upon direct
inheritances. / earnestly hope that you
will interest yourselves in the subject and
take such action upon II as the best inter-
est of the state requires.
Contributions by Corporations.
That 1t has become a custom with cor
porations of various kinds 10 make contri-
buttons to accomplish or defeat the nomi-
nation of candidates for public office, and
public office, is so we'll known and has been
so completely established that l need not
pause TO prove it's existence. There are
many reasons, of the weightiest charac-
ter, which demand an immediate prohibit
ton against such misuse of corporate
funds, coupled with n penalty of imprison-
ment for the violation of the law; first,
the growing tendency to use money In pO-
litical campaigns is subversive OF the
fundamental principles of good govern
ment, for II not only destroys purity OF
motive, but II overthrows the safety which
is always found in individual and indie
/ Ia a nj
from every stockholder who does not give
his assent to the contribution, and the
incorporation IL peculiarly obnoxious
because IL oftentimes puts the money OF
stakeholder at work for candidate whose
success the stakeholder does not desire
third, the practice gives the corporation
an influence in public affairs simply be-
cause Of the money contributed-an In
fiuence which is necessarily both selfish
and vicious. Corporations should. OF their
own motion, vigorously exclude themselves
from politics, and the most effective way
in which TO give them strength to resist
temptation is to fix a penalty for partici-
patton, so severe that the honest course
will be the most attractive one. i recon-
mend, with all my earnestness, the enact
ment of a measure upon this subject that
will stop at once and forever so odious a
misuse OF corporate property,
In this connection / desire TO submit
another suggestion. | recognize that there
must be some expenditure. OF money in
every politlCal camnaiRn. whether for NOM