The independent. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, April 05, 1906, Page PAGE 16, Image 16

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    PAGE 16
APRIL 5 190
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G6j Nebraska. Indopondcnt
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The whole country Is shocked at the disclosures of money brib
ery, but the author of this book makes the .startling revelation that
railroad pass bribery Is even a greater evil than bribery with mon-
The rZ ". ' .. ZT1 '. ! I influence
ey
of the
is.soinsid
Astounding Disclosures
free
ious
paw
that
many are unconsciously entrapped by it. Like creeping paralysis it
steals on the man und has him in its grasp before be is aare of it.'
It is shown that nearly every state has its free pass organization,
that it is used as a police force to protect the railroads in their ex
tortionate freight and passenger charges, low taxation of their pro
perty) and in all other matters in dispute between them and the
people. In vivid and forceful language the author shows how this
pass organization dictates nominations for office! how it sets up weak
and pliant men and pulls down strong and independent men; how itt
controls legislatures and law-making. Tha.t thla Bribery System-
must first be destroyed before the people can get
wholesome legislation touching the control of the rail
roads Is the contention of the Author In this book.
The Issue in Nebraska
- - . . .
Mr. Rerge was the Democratic and Populist candidate for.Gov
ernor of Nebraska in 1904, and would have been elected by an over
whelming majority except for the ttoosevelt landslide. He made
the railroad question the issue of his campaign. In scathing terms
he denounced the professional lobby and the free pass bribery sys
tem. He insisted that these were the instrumentalities through
which the railroads procured the government away from thepeopie:
that by these means they maintain their extortionate freight and.
passenger rates and betray the people whenever railroad In
terests are involved. The campaign was without a parallel
in t he state. Mr. Berge hus kept on battling since'that cam
paign until this year all parties in Nebraska will declare
aguinst this vicious bribery system, and it isevident the next
egisla ture will toll its death knell.
1
i :
I
A New Book by Geo. W. Berge
Candidate for Governor of Nebraska in 1904
The Railroadsand the U.S. Senate
To overthrow railroad domination in any state or at Washington
the preseut railroad bosses with their machines must be overthrown.
By destroying the free pass bribery system we strike them '
at their most vulnerable point. This book strikes fearless
ly and powerfully at this. ore of the greatest evils of our
time, tvnd points out with unerring precision the politi
co. 1 corruption which It begets. It is the only book ever
written on the subject and everybody will want to read it. .
The book contains more than 300 pages, illustrated and is bound .
, in heavy cloth. . . ........
A Few of the Chapter Heads From
the Book
The Free Pass-Holders a Policing Squad for the Railroads. .
The Most Powerful Weapon of this Policing Squad is The Free Pass
Bribery System. '
Professional Pass Distributors and Pass Superintendents.
The Seductive Influence of the Free Pass.
Passes and Perjury.
"The Lobbyists Organize the Legislature,
Pass Bribery leads to Graft.
The Free Pass System Leads to Double Dealing in Politics.
State Institutions in Grip of Pass Bribery System.
The Betrayal of the People by Pass-Holding Officials.
No Hope for Railroad Regulation From the National Congress .
Until the Free Pass System is Destroyed in the States.
Serving Two Masters.
WHAT CAN BE MORE INTERESTING JUST NOW THAN THIS PHASE OF THE RAILROAD QUESTION?
ST AT OUR EXPENSE Wo -Money
UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE BOOK AND DECIDED TO KEEP IT
equired
READ WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT THIS BOOK
GREAT DEMAND
BEFORE PUBLISHED
Mt. Pleasant, Tex.-I want a copy
of that book. Geo. M. Roberts.
Parsons. W. Va.-I notice that you
ha ve published a book entitled "The
Free Pass Bribery System," ind I
would like to read the same.. Send
to me a copy and J will return to you
price for same. J. P. Scott.
Greenville, Tex.-I wish to order a
copy of your book. Please quote
me price. J. P. Yates.
Greenville, Tex.-Please send me
a copy of your book with bill for the
same and I will send you the amount.
B. Q. Evans.
Royalton.Minn.-Please And enclos
ed $1.00 for "The Free Pass Bribery
System." Most likely I will take the
agency for it. J. V. Raeran.
Lisbon, O.-When can I pet your
book and what is the price'
W. G. Wells.
Northfleld, Minn.-I desire to obtain
a copy of your book. J. S. Tripp.
Bennet t, Neb.-F,nclosed please find
$1.00 in P. O. tor "The Free Pass Bri
bery System." Gerhardt Kolloster.
Minden. Neb.-Find enclosed $2.00
one for your "New Book," remain
der to apply on my subscription to
The Independent. J. S. Canady.
THE REPUBLICAN.
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
"The Free Pass Bribery System" is a book of
Nebraska production and consists of various
addressos, newspaper editorials and chapters
In vigorous denunciation of the free pass evil.
The author is George W. Berge. a lawyer of
Lincoln, and editor of the Independent newspa
per, who ran for governor of the state In 1904 on
the, fusion ticket. Mr. Berge speaks strongly,
and his handiing of the politicians who accept
these little bribes Is scathing as it ought to be.
It is his opinion that the people will never se
cure through their legislative agencies an ef
fective control of the railroads as long as the
free pass control of politicians is tolerated."
YOR.K, NEB., DEMOCRAT
"The contents of the book are highly satis
factory. As its title imparts, it is a discussion
of the pass evil and is forcibly and clearly writ
ten. It shows up the methods by which the
railroad companies defeat railroad legislation
and maintain their dominion over the state
through the instrumentality in the main by the
railroad pass. The book strikes fearlessly and
powerfully at orie of the greatest evils of our
tluio and ought to meet with a hearty reception
from the reading public."
THE COMMONER.
(jeorge W. Berge, of Lincoln, editor and pub
lisher of -the Nebraska Independent and fusion
candidate for Governor in 1904, has published a
book entitled "The Free Pass Bribery System."
Mr. Berge deals with the pass bribery evil In
plain language, and points out with unerring
precision the evils that follow in the train of
this form of political corruption. He is not
content with showing how politics is corrupted,
but shows beyond dispute the demoralizing ef
fect upon the great masses of the people. Rail
road methods are exposed in scathing terms.
Mr. Berge made his campaign for governor
upon the railroad pass Issue and the fact that
he ran many thousands ahead of his ticket
shows in a measure the deep interest the people
of Nebraska are taking in this phase of the rail
road problem. "The Free Pass Bribery System"
is a valuable contribution to current political
discussion and should have a wide circulation
among those who are interested in making the
railroads the servants, rather than the masters,
of the people. ' .
Eminent Educator Endorses It
Lincoln, Neb. Hon. George W. Berge My
Dear Mr. Berge: I have just finished reading
"The Free Pass Bribery System," and I close it
with the conviction that it will have a career. .
It is the clearest and completest .explanation of
current western politics that I have ever seen.
Your style is terse', brilliant, and effective, you
have avoided partisanship, and you have ex
pressed yourself with great moderation and
self-restraint. Although the book deals with
Nebraska conditions, it will no doubt, attract
attention outside the state. I hope you will not
fail to send a copy to the Hon. James Bryce,
author of "The American Commonwealth,"
who always appreciates realistic studies of
American politics. With the best wishes for a
hearty reception of your book, I remain.
Edwakd A. Ross.
Ex-Lieutenant Governor Endorses It
York, Neb. Hon. George W. Berge. My Dear
Sir: I am reading your book. "The Free Pass
Bribery System," and hasten to assure you of
my high appreciation of it. It is an able, inter
esting and instructive exposition of the influ
ence of the pass In defeating wholesome rail- '
road legislation and in maintaining a most de
1 testable railroad domination in this country.
Your book is a timely and valuable contribu
tion to the discussion of the paramount issue of
the hour and will, no doubt, have great influ
ence in centering attention upon the most po-
tent and demoralizing agency of corruption in
existence. Everybody ought to read it.
E. A. Gilbert.
Candidate Seeks Information
Jeromeville, O. I have always looked upon
the pass as a polite brjbe, I am sure your book
will interest me. Please send a copy to my ad
dress and 1 will remit you the price of your book
whatever it is. We are hoping to elect our gov
ernor ( Pattison ) and we may have a majority
in the legislature and I am hopeful of getting
some legislation on this subject at tho coming
session if re-elected. Daviij Elkv.
Values The Book Highly
Bridgeport, Neb. I think that every yoter in
Nebiaska should read it. I would not be with
out it for four prices of it. G. E. Cad welt.
Former Land Commissioner's View
Normal, Neb. I have scanned its pages with
much satisfaction. It treats the subject in all
of its phases and leaves no point unexhausted.
It ought to be read by every voter In the whole
country. To all it wili be found full of interest
and to many it will prove a veritable revelation-
J. Y. Wolfs.
Fighting the Pass Evil.
Weatherford, Tex. I am making a fight down
here against this evil. ... K. L. Stenxis.
last
for
How We Offer ou
This
Texas Legislator Needs It
Waxohachie, Tex. As a member of the
t.wn lpi'islfitnrps of this ntntp I huv ctp;nan
anti free pass legislation, and I desire to read
wnat you nave to say, inasmuch as 1 expect to
renew my efforts next session. J.M.Aldkhdick.
Great Book
,. .190.
.Because ire arc so sure of the merits of this booh and so sure it will please you, we offer to send you the- book
without any money in advance and without any money at all if the booh does not please you. Vx want you to' see
this booh and examine it at our expense.- Upon receipt of youroWerwe will send you the booh postage prepaid.
Then in five days if you want to heep the booh, you send lis $1.00. - Tf you do not want to heep the booh, then in
inspection coupon use when ORDERING , . five day s from 'the time you receive it, you return the booh to us
unu wv w-uir pwy. mc jjvmuyv tven lur 'un return. jw we asC ts
that th e booh be returned in good condition. We can afford to take
this chance, because we feel sure you will like the booh' and because
we believe thoroughly in the rugged honesty of the people. We can
hardly see how' this hind of a proposition can fail to interest every
reader of THE INDEPENDENT -Every one who read's this Advertisement
shoidd order this booh at once on these conditions. The author is
anxious that the fight against free passes be carried into every state.
Kindly fill out the Coupon in this Ad ertisement and mail it to us and we will send you the
book on the conditions stated herein.
The Book Pub. Co., Lincoln, Neb.,
GENTLEMEN:- Please send me postage prepaid. Free Pass Bribery System,
by Mr. Berge, for which I agree to pay you $1.00 at the end of Ave days after
its receipt, provided I want to keep the book. In the event I do not want to
keep the book, then within Ave dayS after I receive it, 1 will return it to yon,
postage to be paid by you, in which case 1 shallowe yon nothing.
Name
City.
I
State.
Address, THE BOOK PUBLISHING CO., Lincoln, Nebraska.
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