Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-10-26
PLEDGES ALL KEPT
Nebraska Republicans Appeal to
People on Record Made.
PLATFORM WRITTEN INTO LAW
All Statutes Now in Effect and Being
Enforced.
CORPORATIONS PUT UP FIGHT
Result Achieved Only After 0vercom-
ing Strong Opposition.
CORPORATIONS PUT UP FIGHT
STATE WILL GO REPUBLICAN
Outlook Promising for EIectIOn of AII
state Omcern, Full Congressional
slate ana Taft aud sher-
man Electors.

But so Tar as the voters OF NepThSkh dIo
concerned the contests are practically set
tied. There will be few votes changed
during the present week, though all .politl-
cal parties will be busy and even up 10
the last minute there will be a hustle to get
out the last stay-st-home voter.
From a republican standpoint the OUT
look is good. In fact all indications point
to decisive republican victory in Me-
braska, national. state and legislative.
The majority of the people have seldom
failed to respond to reason and never be-
fore has the republican party OF Nebraska
gone before the people with such q record
of accomplishment.
Two years ago the republican party
pledged its candidates 10 enact more legis-
lation demanded by the people for the well
fare of the state than any political party
had ever before mentioned In its platform.
Every pledge given is now a law. Every
law the republican party promised is now
in force and effect and is being oheyed by
those against whom 1t runs. Here are Just
a few OF the many very important ones
Laws to compel the railroads TO pay
their taxes at the same time and in the
same manner as private individuals.
A statewide primary law.
An anti-pass law.
A railway commission act giving power to
the commission to prevent discrimination
in rates, rebates and to govern and regulate
railroads and other common carriers.
An employers liability law removing the
S. 900 limit In case of death
law providing that railroad property
| in cities and towns shall be taxed for local
purposes just the same as the property of
| the individual.
A pure food law and dairy inspection
| law.
But the republican party did not stop
with the promises 1t had made to the peo-
pie. 1t went farther.
1t reduced freight rates on grain. live
| stock, fruit and lumber and coal Is per
cant, tt.u-.,4 -.tt..
It reduced express rates Is per cent.
1t reduced passenger rates to cents d
mile.
It passed an act to prevent lobbying at
the state capitol.
It passed a law which prevents a corpor-
sticn from running a competitor out OF
community by lowering prices In that COM
munity and raising prices in another.
The laws mentioned we're enacted by
a republican, legislature two years ago and
signed and approved by Governor George
L. Sheldon.
The corporations did not bow to the will
Of the people and permit these laws to be-
come operative without a fight Practically
every one has run the gauntlet Of tfH
courts 1t was a republican attorney gen.
eral William T. Thompson. who defended
| these laws in the court and who won
against the most tremendous odds a de-
cisive victory in each case.
But the splendid achievements of the
legislature, Governor Sheldon and Attorney
General Thompson by no means limits the
good work that has been done by the re-
publican party.
State Treasurer Brian and his fellow
members on the Board OF Educational
Lands and Funds raised the rate of inter-
est banks have to pay for state funds from
per cent tc 3 per cent. This was a bold
move for any political party to make.
Merry of the large banks promptly cam
oellcd their bonds state repositories, but
the board insisted the money was worth
per cent and every cent OF deposit in a
state depository is now paying the state
per cent.
These same state officers have succeeded
by judcious management In reducing the
state debt from $l.s17,OOO In 1905 to $500 900
at the present time.
New Educational Laws.
In addition to these accomplishments
mentioned there is due the republican party
OF Nebraska credit for enacting a free hlgh
school law, a law providing financial holp
to those school districts which are unable
to mairtaln seven months school. These
splendid school laws were enacted by a
republican Legislature and inspired by a
republican superintendent. This same re-
publican administration Is responsible for
the teaching OF agriculture in the rural
schools. 1t Is responsible for the fact that
the farmer boy goes back 10 the farm
scientifically qualified 10 make farming a
professions, rather than into the depart
ment store.
To enact every law mentioned above II
was necessary for the republican party
not only TO overcome the objection OF the
most persistent lobby ever assembled In
Lincoln. but also to crumble under foot the
democratic party as represented by its
members OF the legislature. The records
will bear out the statement that the dem
ocratlc members OF the legislature fought
these measures at every turn and failed tO
vote for many OF them on final passage.
The chairman OF the democratic state
committee, T. S. Allen, who holds the same
position now that he did two years ago
not only worked personally against some OF
these measures. but actually called ths
democratic members OF the legislature In
caucus and insisted that they fight thes,
measures on the floor OF the legislature
Letters which he wrote TO newspapers tC
, fight against some Of the pledges OF tn,
, republican party have been published.
la the face of such fight, the splendit
performance OF the republican party is 1T
, tie short of marvellous
, Effects of New statute.
y Whether these laws have brought relic
10 the people Of Nebraska the people know
Whether the thousands who have saved
money by the reduction Of Is per cent II
o freight rates and whether the thousand
who have asked for aid from the Railway
commission have been benefited, thes,
thousands know
Whether the traveller has saved none,