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About The independent. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 25, 1906)
15 OCTOBER 25v1906 - n w mm The Rcbrsska Independent 1 TIE FREE mm" 1 Add Y9 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- influence ey. The of the issoinsid Astounding Disclosures free ious pass that many are unconsciously entrapped by it. Like creeping paralysis it steals on the man and has him in its gr&tp before he is aware of it. It is shown that nearly every 6tate 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 stows how this pass organization dictates nominations for office; how itsetsup weak and pliant men and pulls down strong and independent men: how it controls legislatures and law-making. Th.t this Bribery Sys tem must first be destroyed before the people can set wholesome legislation touching the contioi 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 19(H. and would have been elected by an over whelming majority except for the Koosevelt 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 the peopie: 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 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 will toll its death knell. 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. By des roylng the free pass bribety system we strike them at their most vvj nerable point. This book strikes fearless ly arvd powerfvilly at his, one of the greatest evl's of our time, and points out with unerring prec'sion the politi cal coirvjpUon which it besets. It is the only book ever written on the subject and everybody wi 1 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 leans 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? GET IT AT OUR EXPE UNTIL YOU HOVE SEEN THE BOOK AND DECIDED TO KErP IT o Honey Required 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 have published a book entitled "The Free Pass Bribery System," and I w ?uld 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 me a copy of your book with bill for the same and I will send you the amount. B. Q. Evans. Royalton.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.-Idesire to obtain a copy of your book. J. S. Tripp. Bennett, Neb.-Enclosed please find tl.00 m P.O. lor "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 consist of various addresses, newspaper editorials and chapters In vigorous denunciation of the free pass evil. The author is George W. Berge, a lawyer of Linco n, and editor of tbe Independent newspa per, who ran for governor of the state in 1904 on the'fuslon ticket. Mr. Merge speaks strongly, " and his handling of the politicians who accept these little bribes Is scathing aa 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 it title imparts, it Is a dlf-cosslon of the pass evil and is forcibly and clearly writ ten. It shows up tho methods by which tbe railroad c irupanies de eat railroad legislation and maintain their dom nion over the state through the instrumentality in the main by the rai rou 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 "Tne k'ree Pns Bribery System." Mr. Berge deuls with the pass Irib ry 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. liall- road methods are exposed in scathing terms. Mr. Berge made his cami aign for governor upon the railroad pass issue and tho fact that he ran many thousands ahead of his ticket sdows In a measure the deep In'erest the people of Nebraska are taking in this phase of t e rail road problem. "The Free Pass Bribery System" is a valuable contribution to current political discussion and abou'd have a wide circulation among those who are Interested in making the r&tiruttds the servasts, rather thao tbe masters, of the people. Eminent Educator Endorses It Lincoln, Nob. Hon. George W. Berge My Pear Mr. Berge: I have just finished reading "The Free Puss Bribery System," aud I close it with the conviction that It will have a career. It Is tbe 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 i:eals with Nebraxka eondi ions, it will no doubt, attract attentlO' outside the state. I hope you will not fall to send a ropy to the Hon. James Bryce, author of "The American Commonw' altb," who always appreciates realistic studies of American politics. With the best wishes for a hearty reception of your book, I remain. Kuwaku A. Ross, Ex-Lieutenant Governor Endorses It ' York, Neb. Hon. George W. Berge. My Dear ' Sir: I am reading your book. '"I he tree Pass Bribery System," and hasten to assure yon of my high appreciation of it. It Is an able. Inter esting an instructive exposition of the influ ence oi the pass in defeating wholesome rail road legislation and in maintaining a most de testable railroad domination In this country. Your book ia a timely and valuable contribu tion to the discussion of the paramount Issue of tho hour and will.no do bt, have great Influ ence In centering attent on upon the most po tent and deraora it ng agency of corruption in existence. Everybody ought to road it. K. A. Gilbert. Candidate Seeks Information JeromeviJle, O. I have always looked upon the pass as a polite br be, I am sure your book wiii interest ui. Please send a copy to my ad dress and I will remit yon the i rice of your book whatever it In. We are hoping to elect our gov ernor ( I'attison ) and we may have a majority in the legislature and I am hopeful of getting some legislation on this subject at the coming session if re-elected. David Klky" Values The Book Highly Bridgeport, Neb. I think that every voter In Nebiaska should read it. I would not be with out it for four prices of it. G. K. Cadwxll 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 n -point unexhausted It ought to be read by every voter In th whole country. To all it wil be found full of Interest and to many it wUl prove a veritable revela-Uon- J. V. WOLfl. Fighting the Pass Evil Weatherford, Tex. I am making a fight down here against this evil. R. L. brKNMis. Texas Legislator Needs It Waxohaehle, Tex. As a member of the lart two legislatures of this state I have striven for antl free pass legislation, and I desire to read what you have to say, inasmuch as I expect to renew my effort nextsession. J.M.Ahji&ihcx How W e Offer You This Great Book INSPECTION COUPON USE WHEN ORDERING Because we are so sure of the mer its of this booh 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 booh does not please you. We want you to see this booh and examine ii at our. expense. Upon receipt of your ' order we will send you the booh postage prepaid. Then in five days if you want to keep the booh, you send us $1.00. If you do not want to heep the booh, then in jive aays jrom me ume you receive it, you return trie boolc to us and v)e will pay the postage even for its return. All we ah is that the booh be returned in good condition. We can afford to tahe this chance because we feel sure you v;ill like the booh and because we believe thoroughly in the rugged honesty of the people. We can hardly see hou) this hind of a proposition can fail to interest every reader of THE INDEPENDENT- Every one who read this Advertisement should order this booh at once on these conditions. The author is anxious that the fight a-gainst free passes be carried into every state. The Book Pub. Co., Lincoln, Neb., 190. GENTLEMEN:- Plense send me postage prepaid. Free Pass Bribery System, by Mr. Berge, for which I agree to pay you tl.OO at the end of five days after Its receipt, provided 1 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 I City State Address, THE BOOK PUBLISHING CO., Lincoln, Nebraska. Kindly All out the Coupon in this Advertisement and mail It to us and we will send you the BOOK on the conditions stated herein. ri 71 21 11 1 1 i m