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About The independent. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 4, 1906)
OCTOBER 4, 1906 The Nebraska Independent 11 8 Ll ey, 9 3 i i fit flE FIE PASS ifflSylYgf El" fci of the issoinsid 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 Z '. ZT! Z I influence free pass ious that Astounding Disclosures many are unconsciously entrapped by it. Like creeping paralysis it steals on the man and has him in its gra.'-p before he is aware 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 aDd 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 it controls legislatures and law-making. Thau this Bribery Sys tem 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. Berge 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 lioosevelt 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 ana Detray the people whenever railroad in terests are involved. The campaign was without a parallel in the state. Mr. Berge has kept on battling since that cam paign until this year all parties in Nebraska will declare against this vicious bribery system, and it is evident the next legislature wi toll its death knell. K Jti is 1J A New Book by Geo. W. Berge Candidate for Governor of Nebraska in 1904 The Railroads and the U. S. Senate To overthrow railroad domination in any state or at Washington the present railroad bosses with their machines must be overthrown, liy bes;royiiig the free pass bribery system we strike them at their most vvj'nerable point. This book strikes fearless ly arvd powerfvil'y at this, one of the greatest evils of our time, and points out with unerring precision the politi cal 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 Per j ury. The Lobbyists Organize the Legislature. Pass Bribery leads to Graf t. The Free Pass System Leads to Double Dealing in Politica 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? T AT OUR EXPENSE No money Required UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN THE BOOK AND DECIDED TO KEEP IT GET GREAT DEMAND BEFORE PUBLISHED Mt. Pleasant, Tex.-I want a copy of that book. Geo. M. Roberts. Parsons, W. Va.-I notice that you have published a book entitled "The Free Pass Bribery System," and I wauld like to read the same. Send to me a copy and I 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 mo a copy of your took with bill for the same and I will send you the amount. B. Q. Evans. Royal ton.Minn.-Please find enclos ed $1 .00 for "The Free Pass Bribery System." Most likely I will take the agency for it. J. V. Ragan. Lisbon, O.-When can I get your book and what is the price? W. G. Wells. Northfleld, Minn.-I desire to obtain a copy of your book. J. S. Tripp. Bennett, Neb.-Enclosed please And tl.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. READ WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT THIS BOOK THE REPUBLICAN. SPRINGFIELD, MASS. "The Free Pass Bribery System" Is a book of Nebraska production and consists of various addresses, 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 handling 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." YORK, 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 de' eat railroad legislation and maintain their dominion over the state through the instrumentality in the main by the rail roan pass. The book strikes fearlessly and powerfully at one of the greatest evils of our time and ought to meet with a hearty reception from the reading public." THE COMMONER. George 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 Kree 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. Hail- road methods are exposed in scathing terms. Mr. Berge made bis campaign for governor upon the railroad pass issue and the fact that he ran many thousands ahead of bis ticket shows in a measure the deep interest the people of Nebraska are taking in this phase of tt,e rail road problem. "The Kree 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. Tour style is terse, brilliant, and effective, you have avoided partisanship, and you have ex pressed yourself with great moderation and self-restraint. AUbough the book deals with Nebraska condit ions, it will no doubt, attract attention outside the state. 1 hope you will not fall to send a ropy 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. KUWAHl) A. ROSS. Ex-Lleutensnt Governor Endorses It York, Neb. Hon. George W. Berge. My Dear Sir: I am reading your book. "The Kree 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 ot the pass in defeating wholesome rail road legislation and in maintaining a most de testable railroad domination In this country. Tour book is a timely and valuable contribu- How tlon to the discussion of the paramount issue of the hour and will, no doubt, have great influ ence in centering attent on upon the most po tent and demoralising agency of corruption in existence. Everybody ought to read it. K. a. Gilbert. Candidate Seeks Information Jeromevlllo, O. I have always looked upon the pass as a polite br be, I am sure your book will interest me. Please send a copy to my ad dress and I will remit you the price of your book whatever it Is. We are hoping to elect our gov ernor ( Paulson ) and we may have a majority in the legislature and I am hopeful of gettini some legislation on this subject at the cominS session if re-elected. David Elky. Values The Book Highly Bridgeport, Neb.-I t hink that every voter in Nebiaska should read It, I would not be with out it for four prices of It. G. K. Cadwki.l Former Land Commissioner's View Normal, Neb. I have scanned Its pnges with much satisfaction. It treats the subject in all of its phases and leaves no point unexhausted. It ought to be rend by every voter in the whole country. To allit wil be found full of interest and to many it will prove a veritable revela-t,on- J. V. Wolitb. Fighting the Pass Evil here against this evil. K. L. Stbnnis. Texas Legislator Needs It Waxohachle, Tex. As a member of the last two legislatures of this state 1 have striven for anti free pass legislation, and I desire to read what you have to say, Inasmuch as I expect to renew my efforts next session. J.M.Ai.uickuicic w e Offer You This Great Bonk Because we are so sure of the merits of this book and so sure it will please you, we offer to send you the booh without any money in advance and without any money at all if the book does not please you. We vjant you to see this book and examine it at our expense.. . Upon receipt of your order we will send you the book postage prepaid Then in five days if you want to keep the book, you send us $1.00. ' If you do not want to keep the book then in inspection coupon use when ordering five days from the time vou receive it. unu ffiiurvt. th hh z ,, --i g . ,v wiw wkiv lu UCS and we will pay the postage even for its return. All we ask is that the book be returned in good condition. We can afford to take this chance because we feel sure you will like the boolcand because we believe thoroughly in the rugged honesty of the people. We can hardly see how this kind of a proposition can fail to interest every reader oTKE INDEPENDENT. Every one who reads this Advertisement should order this book at once on these conditions. The author is anxious mat ttiejigM against free pastes be carried into every state. VI.JL. KM A Al 0. m j .. . I The Book Pnb. Co., Lincoln, Neb., . WO. . GBNTLKMKN:- 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 five days after I receive it, 1 will return it to you, postage to be paid by you, in which case I shall owe you nothing. Name City State . Address, THE BOOK PUBLISHING GO,, Lincoln, Nebraska. Kindly AM out the Coupon in this Advertisement and mail It to us and we will send' you the """" vuiiuiuvna siaiea norein. 8 XT'