Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-07-26

The united republicans OF Nebraska
in delegate convention assembled af-
firm our faith in the principles OF Our
party and pledge our allegiance to its
cause in state and nation.
At this great epoch in the history
of our country we hold it to be the
duty of all good citizens to stand
firmly for the common welfare,
acknowledging fealty to no country
other than the United States and pay
ing homage to no flag but the Stars
and Stripes. The republican party
has proud record in preserving the
nations honor under Lincoln, Grant
and Mckinley; it will undertake as
heavy responsibilities with confidence
under the leadership of Charles, E.
Hughes. On the strength of his past
record we draw inspiration from the
leadership of our presidential stand
ard bearer and find in his high ideals
and conscientious devotion to duty
the best guarantee Of a capable, cour-
ageous, unselfish, far-seeking and
patriotic chief executive. Such as our
nation needs now more than ever be-
fore.
We endorse in its entirety the ma
tional platform Of the republican
party adopted at Chicago and espe-
cially approve the planks on Ameri-
canism, preparedness and protection.
We believe the direct primary law
to be sound principle of govern
ment. We are not insensible, how
ever, to the imperfections which have
developed in the practical operation
Of the present law, and we recon-
mend that the law be amended in such
form as will make it more in accord
with representative government and
more responsive to public will.
We favor action by the next legis-
lature, giving the voters OF the state
an opportunity to pass upon the ques-
ton of holding a convention to revise
our present constitution.
We join in the demand for good
roads and pledge Our best efforts for
road Improvement. The first essential
step is the creation of a state high
way commission with power to out
line a system OF state roads and to
secure their construction and proper
maintenance and also to insure cor
relation Of the roads under jurisdic-
ton of local authoriti.-. Nebraskt
should promptly qualify for its quota
Of the national gods roads appropria-
tons, and see to it that all state
and national funds expended for road
improvements are applied for the
benefit Of the whole state and so ex-
pended as to secure full value return
without waste, graft or favoritism.
AS . part Of the god roads program
we favor elimination Of toll bridges,
so that the use Of the highways from
one end OF the state to the other
shall be free to all.
We favor the development and ex-
tension Of department of journal
ism in our state university into COM
prehensive school, which will afford
greater opportunities to young men
and women for efficient training in q
profession OF great importance to the
welfare of the PUBLIC.
We favor the establishment OF state
custodial farms for minor offenders,
which shall provide = variety OF en-
ployment and Treatment calculated to
reclaim the wards of the state and to
restore them to society.
While recognizing the soundness OF
the expression Of the republican ma
tional platform on he subject of regu-
lation Of transportation, we call at
tention to the fact that federal con-
troll Is only contemplated therein,
after such legislation or amendment
to the constitution of the United
States Is enacted as may be necessary
for broadening hte scope and increas-