The independent., 1907-04-25
WIN APPRECIATIVE review of the
Es9 work of the Nebraska legislature
is given by John p Spreecher in his
paper, the Schuyler Free Lance:

III WORK OF the NeDrdShd leSlSidtuTe
is given by John p. Spreecher in his
paper, the Schuyler Free Lance:
People of the state. as general
rule, regardless of politics, unite in
saying that the last session ef the leg,
islature was the best session We have
ever had in the state. OF course, peo-
lie are extremists and the last Is al
ways the worst or the best in every
line. but in this we think it is well
put and that il was the best, from a
peoples standpoint. that we have ever
had. There are some corporation ele-
ments who are not feeling so we'll over
it and a few partisan democrats who
insist on referring to all as fake re-
form" or else want to claim all the
credit due for their party, but In main
there is a general public approval of
the session.
Both houses and the governor were
republican and the democrats were a
small minority and to the party in
power does the great credit go, as II
should: Yet, while the republicans
were in the majority and are entitled
from a political standpoint to ali
credit. still the democratic minority
was a good one and but for 1t there
would be little to boast Of. While Z.
majority of the republicans of both
houses were for the people, still a
large element was of the old-time
corporation brand ard with republican
votes alone nothing would have been
accomplished So while we give the
republicans as party all credit we
must not forget to be fair with the
minority.
The republicans had as a result in
view the fnlfllment of all platform
pledges and for the first time in the
history of the state that was done.
What a grand precedent is here estab-
lished Just thing of the people for
once being able t'D read a platform
and know that it meant what 1t said.
Surely the milleniun has come in poll
tics
On the railroad question for once tn y
legislature has done something and
while it may not be in rs great and
full measure as could be desired, IL
is simply wonderful, just the same.
They passed an anti-pass law, ter
minaI taxation law, cut the passenger
fare to cents per mile, made z
cent mileage book good for family use,
cut present freight rates Is per cent,
passed a bill empowering the new
railroad commission so the people may
secure relief by that means, cut ex-
press rates 25 per cent, require rail-
roads to install track scales and fur
nish shippers with weights, prevents
railroads from enjoining tax collec-
tions in the future, holds railroad
companies responsible for the death OF
or accident TO employees negligence,
prevents trains from obstructing cross
ings more than ten minutes, require
operators to be over tWentyone years
of age and makes stealing rides on
cars a crime What more could be
dope in tho railroad line, unless it be
heavier degree? Surely the railroad
question was legislated this time in
full from a peoples standpoint.
over two hundred bills We're passed
ana many of them reform measures,
we Garnet mere enumerate. The direct
primary law. prevention Of child labor,
anti-lcpby law, pure food law. prohi
biting pooling as to bridge contracts,
protect the landlord as against his
tenant in regard to crops and hum
dred other measures good for the pub
lie. 1t certainly was a great session
and session of the people.
To Governor Sheldon is due to a
great measure this result The cam
paign he made last fall on the sub
jects following his legislative record
before on the same lines, aroused a
public sentiment that meant results.
He was Instrumental in forming the
platform of his party and he talked
it on the stump. standing squarely en-
il after elected. Governor Sheldon Is
a man Of the people and is sincere and
honest.
The republican party in Nebraska
is Ia eNcehsnt condition 10 80 before
the people another year and there Is
no use putting up a democratic ticket
AS with proper nominations the state
VIII be more republican than ever and
W should he. The democratic oppor-
tunity in Nebraska Is past They had
a grand opportunity and proved un-
faithful 10 the trust and simply fake
rsfarmsrs'' who promised profissely
and gave nothing In return.
The po5uiist party was - peoples
movement la Nebraska and had "A