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Volume 18
Lincoln, Nebraska, June 221905
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Number
Party Mas Bars iheWaf ' ,' :
ifo M.eorms In all Cities
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tm r,f noitrv n.iuins nt this time is unfortunate. 'It would .
be treason to a holy cause to involve it in partisan politics. It makes no
difference what happens, what parties or what organizations fall as the
result of their participation in municipal wrongs and crimes of the past.
Let them fall. " (; . , :. :
"They must fall and be dethroned before the work in hand can be com
pleted impartially and honestly and the affairs of the people placed on a
firm and secure foundation for the future: I will consider no politics until
this work is done. This is not a contest over a sheriff and coroner and I
shall not permit it to be reduced to such a lame and impotent conclusion if
I can help it. Therefore, I speak now and thus strongly in order that the
true friends of municipal regeneration and honest government may be on
their guard against such subtle or misleading efforts as would divert the
issue, betray the cause and possibly save for further evil the parent source
of 'all our woes.' " , '
Thus spoke Mayor Weaver of Philadelphia last week to the poli
ticians of that city. 'This reform mayor was prompted to give expres
sion to these ringing words -because twenty-one politicians of that
city addressed a letter to Sheriff Miles, chairman of the republican
city committee, urging the committee to reform the republican
party.- ' " - . i: -.-' '
For years the corporations, through the politicians, have been
controlling the government in that historic city. In Philadelphia, ,
as well as in many other cities of the country, there has been a con
spiracy between the corporations and the politicians to defeat popular
government. It succeeded there. The. people had absolutely noth
ing to say about the government of the city. The corporations were
running it. The people cried for relief, but in vain. Their appeals
fell upon deaf ears.
Most of the officials in control of the city, government were
traitors to the people. The name of Benedict Arnold has been writ
ten down in history as a traitor to his country, and justly so, but
Benedict Arnold was no more guilty of treason to his country
than the present day candidate or puDiic omciai wui picwuua w
in sympathy with the righteous cause of the people, while in secret
he makes his bargain and sale with the corporations.
Philadelphia had in her city councils for years a band of
traitors. The people could get no relief. The corporations nominat
ed the candidates. By an appeal to partisanship the people were
persuaded to elect them. ? ;
The city is republican;' The corporations controlled the repub
lican party. The democrats had no chance of election because they
also were too partisan. No candidate would risk his political destiny
on higher ground than partisanship! Reform under such conditions
is absolutely impossible through the politicians.
What was the remedy ? An aroused public sentiment bigger
than any political party. There never is any other remedy. The
people themselves must act. This they did in Philadelphia. Parti
sanship there hasa4elaway before, the vmmMm$W., ft man
The people and the mayor are just now engaged in a death struggle
for the municipal regeneration of that city.
The struggle is taking place on hallowed ground. The dust of
revolutionary patriots lies sleeping within the gates of the city. The
spirit of these heroic dead gives inspiration to the people. One would
think that there would not be a single discordant note. One would
think that the partisan with his selfish purpose would not intrude!
But our expectations are rudely shattered. Here come twenty
one politicians with a scheme to convert this righteous public senti
ment into partisan advantage. It reminds one of ghouls in a grave
yard, or at a railroad wreck. No wonder that Mayor Weaver promptly
kicked them out as intruders on sacred ground.
All honor to Mayor Weaver for the postion he has taken. The
American" people love an honest and courageous man whenever they
find him and they take, off their hats to the mayor 'of Philadelphia
in his fight to purify that wicked city. ,
Senator Millard's View
of Testimony's Fairness
Senator Millard evidently agrees with Mr. Baldwin of the Union
Pacific that there is no deep-seated demand in Nebraska for reduced
rates. The senator has not said as much, but ina recent interview lie
asserted that the evidence secured by the senate committee on in
terstate commerce, of which he is a member, had been "adduced in
the fairest manner possible."
Only favored shippers and well-known railway camp-followers
were given free rides from Nebraska to the national capital to testify
regarding the rate situation in this state. The small shippers, who
never receive preferential rates, were left at home because they could
testify that there is a deep-seated demand in Nebraska for lower
rates.
In Senator Millard's own state the people understand how un
fairly his committee acted and they have small hope that the com
initttee will "formulate a report that will be satisfactory to and in
keeping with the views and policies of President Rooscyelt," or that,
should such a report be madej the senate will act- in conformity;
therewith.
Better Insurance Lapps
Demanded By The People
From the control of James II. Hyde, the Equitable Life Assur
ance society has passed to the control of Thomas F. Ryan, who has
purchased a majority of the stock. Paul Morton secretary of tho
navy, who has resigned and will retire from the cabinet on July 1,
has been chosen executive head of the society. A former president
of the United States, a presiding justice of the New York appellate
court, and a great manufacturer of Pittsburg have been named as
trustees.
Despite the prestige of these trustees the new control of Equit
able is viewed with suspicion by many. The New York World con
siders Thomas F. Ryan the natural successor of John D. Rockefeller
in the realm of finance. From owner of one little crosstown horse
car line, he has become the dominant power in syndicates which'
control the surface railroads of New York City, the gas and electri
city of that metropolis, the tobacco trust and business enterprises of
a less important character.
While the plan of consolidating under one management all
PJbiladelphia's public utilities has received a temporary check, a
