I
SIXTEENTH YEAH. OMAHA. THTJBSDAY l\iOltNlNG \ , FEBRUARY 24 , 1887. NUMBER 251
A RAILROAD LOBBY SUCCESS ,
Long-Winded Discussion in the Senate on
Railroad Legislation.
SMELL'S AMENDMENT CARRIED.
Fremont nnd Aurora Win the Two
Normal Schools After n Pro-
trnctnd Fight in the Hottso
Oilier legislation.
Scnnto Proceeding" .
LINCOLN , Neb. , Feb. 13. [ Special to the
BKI : . ] The opposition to tlio passage of
senate file 41 , and Mr. Sterling's amendment
thereto , have abandoned their position taken
upon the presentation of the amendment ,
namely , that It was a violation of the usage
amlTulcs of the scnato to strike out all after
thu enacting clause of a bill and oiler an
f amendment whose effect would be n substi
tution. They argued lontr and repeatedly
that such n proceeding was In violation of
the provisions of the constitution requiring a
bill to be read upon three separate days , and
It was also held lhat the national house of
representatives was coverncd by nrulo which
would preclude such an amendment as that
of Mr. Sterling. But the chair was steadfast
In Its tilling and the amendment was de
clared In order. Seeing this state of things
to bo Inevitable , and that the rules of thu
senate could not by them bo perverted , the
opposition to anv kind of clTectlvo railway
legislation fount ! It necessary to resort to
other tactics , which were developed this
morning In the bungling amendment of Mr.
Snell , which showed a complete lion as the
only means of doleatlng Mr. Sterling's
amendment , and , for that matter , the whole
question of legislation upon the subject. In
supporting Mr. Snell's amendment to the
amendment , the opposition arc ad
vocating a course directly the
contrary of their former position ,
and have certainly put themselves
Into a very compromising predicament. The
Mibsltutlon of sonata lilo17 for house roll
150. us thu amendment , only complicated
matters and served the underlying purpose
of tlm Illlbusterurs , which was to obstuiet
and beg thu question as a means of delay.
The whole railway question In the senate ,
by reason of the circumstances attending
consideration of senate rile 41 , was to-day
lumped , and the outcome wll demonstrate ,
to a greater degree of certainty than ever be-
lore just what will bo accomplished In this
direction. By a standing vote of 17 to 15 ,
Mr. Sterling's amendment was shelved ,
whereupon thu railroad lobbyists loft the
senate Unshed with success , and presumably
wont Into the house for other fields of con
quest. They not only have defeated legisla
tion against thu railways in the senate but
they have secured thu adoption of a bill
which is Infinitely more to their liking than
the present railway commission law. They
have bullded butter than they know , and are
accordingly exultant.
A democratic senator said to mo this mornIng -
Ing : "I have talked all I dare for stringent
railway regulation without laying myself
open to the charge of being a crank on the
subject , and now If the republicans cannot
save this question , the responsibility in with
them. The people are watching them closely ,
and n day ol retribution will como to evety
senator who has to-day refused to meet the
Issue. "
The seimto met at 10CO : o'clock and
immediately took up the special order ,
consideration of Mr. Sterling's amend
ment to senate tile 41. Mr. Snell offered as
nn amendment to tlio amendment what
proved to bu Mr. Watson's house roll
450 , or Mr. Conger's scnnto file 247 ,
which Is n faithful copv of the Inter-
Mate commerce bill made applicable as far as
possible to the state. Mr. Sterling said that
every clause of the Inter-state bill which Is
effective had been carefully omitted in Mr.
Sncll'a amendment and that the railroads
would bo under no restraint at all should tliu
amendment carry.
Mr. Melklujohn pointed out sections which
had been copied from thu iuter-stato law
without the necessary corrections making It
applicable to the state and declared the
amendment If cnrrled would bo n dead letter
In the statute books.
Mr. Bobbins said no United States law
could bo wisely applied to the government ot
a state In thu subject of railway legislation.
Tlio pattern was too largo for the statu of
Nebraska.
Pending consideration of Mr. Snell's
amendment , thu sunatu took a recess until "
o'clock.
Incidentally the lieutenant governoi
slcnod Mr. Vandemark's bill for a re
count of tlm ballots In the legislative amend
ment and a fuw minutes later n
message from the ' governor announced
his excellency had signed the bill ,
Scnatois Yatidcmark nnd Schmliikc
were appointed by the president as a com-
mltteo to join In tlm recount. The senate
was .sleepy this morning , a general desln
being expressed for adjournment until tlio
recount is made.
AKTKIINOON SESSION.
The .senate met at 2 o'clock and wont intt
committee of thu whole to consider the spu
clal order. The question arose upon the read
Ing of Mr. Snell'u amendment , ( Mr. Wat
son's honso roll 4.)0) ) . On motion of Mr. .
Brown , senate lilo ii-17 , ( Mr. Conger's bill
which Is Identical with house roll 450) ) wa1
accepted In place of Mr. .SnoU's amendment ,
which was withdrawn. This in effect took
Mr. Conger's bill out of Its place and put I
in the place of senate lilo 41. The bill wa :
' then rend , the question being upon its adop
tlon as an amendment to Mr. Sterling1 :
amendment.
Mr. Molklojohn said It had no moro appli
cation to thu stat * of Nebraska than thu law :
of thu United States had to Australia. Sec
tlon 15 was drawn entirely with a vlow o
common law practice. Ho was opposed ti
the whole amendment.
The question was then called , and resultei
in the adoption of Mr. Coni/cr's bill 247 as i
substitute foil senate lilo 41. by a standln
vote of 17 to IS. This shut out Mr. Sterling1 !
amendment.
Mr. Fuller then moved that the amend
ment just adopted bu considered and ndoptui
section by section.
Mr , Sterling saw tlm action in Its Idlotli
sense , aad observed Hint the amendment lux
just been adopted In Its entirety , and h
wanted to know why the committee shouli
co over thu ground again nnd adopt it scutloi
by section.
Mr. Fuller's motion prevailed , and the set
atu considered the bill , which was ameudci
In some mlnonmitlcuhirs.
When tliu bill had been adopted , Mr. Ster
ling offered as an amendment to the bill
clause fixing thu B. it M. distance rate tablet
ot IBSl as a basis of maximum rates.
Mr. Snell objected , stating that the clans
was thu heart of tliu bill altered by the gei :
tleman from rillmore , which had just bee
rejected. Hu protested against the heart o
ODD bill being Injected Into thu body of at
other.
Mr. Sterling said the gentleman adniltte
that his bill had no heart and that organ wa
very necessary to thellfo ot any measun
Ho then wunt on to meet some of thu stall
niunts mndu by Mr. Moore n fuw days slnei
which hu characterized as thu strongest aru-i
ment In favor of the railroads yet made b <
fore the senate. He took exception to th
IK'u res used by Mr. Moore , who quoted tho.s
of the railway commission , paitlcularly wit
reference to the cost of construction. H
took the figures irlven by the B. A M. SUS.Si :
as the actual cost per mile , while they hail n
turned to tliu state auditor the litmus i
SI 141 us the actual cost of constuictlot
These figures tun sworn to by the state tun
itor as returned by tlm railroads for a bas
for taxation. He also showed the B. < V M , t
have rrcnlvwt over 817,000,000 ns proceeds tale
. -ale of land given them by the state moi
than enough to build and equip.their roai
and yet they have thu unprecedented gall I
ask to be allowed to tax the i > eoplc of th
state so that they may rcalir.u a profit o
Sl sH per mile , and were told that we ai
doing them n great injustice In fixing a liva :
liunm rate so that there may bo. some i
strain ) placed upon them , lam disposed
allow the corporations of this state to earn-
.Rood dividend ou .the amount of money ' n
tnally'Invested In th'olr' roads , txut Lltavo'r
disposition to pel mi t them to earn dlvidatu
ou VRjLsuiiis twy liavl' never' In vested. II
best interests- 'the state demand that tin
. Do restrained. ' Tha constitution seeks
prohibit this ivflatlon of railroad stock. It
our duty to establish a umlmuui rate. The
lobby Is numerous Its number is equaled
only by their call. They are hero for the pur
pose of defeating anything that looks to
wards an honest and fair law. " In speaking
further upon his amendment to senate tile
41 Mr. Sterling said : "Its provisions seek to
glvo to the aggrieved parties a speedy and In
expensive method ot securing the right ? to
which they are entitled. It seeks to enabln
Dailies who have been charged In excess ot
the maximum rates fixed In this bill , or In ex
cess of thu rates established by the board of
commissioners , redress without unneces
sary expense and delay. 1 know they
will raise the objection to this measure
that a maximum into established bv the leg-
'
Islatuio Is not desirable , and that'It Is not
practicable that the entire power of fixing
mnt regulating rates should be vested abso
lutely In a hoard of commissioners. Such
will ba the argument of those who seek to
defeat the establishment of a maximum rato.
Section 4 , article 11 of our constitution do-
lines railways as publio highways , and pro
vides that transportation therein shall bo
carried on under such regulations as shall bo
mescribcd by law ; and tlio legislature may
trom time to tlmo establish laws fixing
reasonable maximum rates , etc. Xow , then ,
the constitution says that the legislature may
do this , but neither In the constitution nor In
the statutes Is authority found for delegating
that power to any board. This authority , 1
take it , cannot bo delegated , and It Is thu desire -
sire of railroad corporations to have this
power of establishing maximum rates vested
In a body that has no constitutional powers.
It Is their desire to have a commission
created , leaving the entire authority of
regulating rates to a commission , which 1
claim has nut the power under our constitu
tion to fix n maximum rato. They knowlnir
this , when the board of commissioners would
seek to establish leasonablo maximum rates ,
they would demur to the rates lixed , the
matter would nt once bo taken Into court ,
and 1 venture the assertion that our supreme
court would hold that the board of railroad
commissioners has not the authority to fix
maximum rales. "
Mr. Sterling said ' 'The
Continuing , : max
imum rate which Is established In suction 11
of this bill , I presume the trlcnds of a com
missioner's bill that does not establish a
iiaxlmum rate ( or those who are opposed to
ho establishment of a maximum rate ) will
ecluro that a maximum established by this
illl would bankrupt the corporations of this
itato ; that It would cause the roads of this
itato to go into tlio hands of receivers K the
laxlmum herom established was to be put
ute operation but all such claims are only
Advanced for the purpose of deceiving you.
juch claim Is a fallacy , for the verv reason
hat tlio maximum rate established In this
ill Is higher than thu rate which the corpnr-
.tlona are to-day actually charclnc the rate
s actually higher than that actually granted
.0 the inside shippers. I do not say this ,
low , merely as an assertion. 1 am prepared
o prove that statement. 11 Is a fact that
: an bo shown by the linuies of tlio corpor-
tlons themselves that they are charging to-
lay from " 0 to SO per cent less than tlio dis-
anco rate table which they have filed In tlio
illieo ot the railway commissioners of this
tale. , ,1 presume that it is true that It an
ndividual desires to ship a carload of any of
its products to any of thu markets ho would
10 required to pay this exhorbltantcliargo as
by the distance rate table , but the
avored ones thu bulk of thu shippers of this
itato would receive a rate which would
ango from " 0 to : ! 0 per cent below that.
And i would like to know wny one man Is
tormltted to transport his produce cheaper
: han another , Such practice is In violation
if the fundamental principles of rUht. Iain
rce to say that 1 am not wedded to the idea
> rtho commissioner system. Especially is
hat true under our constitution , i recogirz ;
hu fact that their powers must necessarily
jo very limited , although the roads of this
tate are loud in asserting that that is tlio
roper method of regulating tills trafllc ; that
he commissoners can bo given ample pow-
: rsand ; therefore 1 favor thH ] i\n \ , because
t creates a board of commissioners and cives *
; o them the privilege of exercising power ?
ivhluli , It they can constitutionally c.xnrciut
hem , would redound to the general good ol
ho people of this state , and for that reason 1
aver tlio bill , especially because It recog-
Jiizcstho principle that tlio legislature Is the
proper body to establish a maximum
ate of freight and passenger fare ,
) nr constituencies charged us repeatedly to
idopt such measures as would afford them
. ( lief from the present giiovous oppressions
it' tint monopolies. Wu assured them that we
would nso our bust endeavors to secure such
relief. Aside from the obligations which wo
mvo taken under tlio solemn sanctity of an
jath , wo are bound , as men , to redeem oui
word as men. AVe should not deal llghtlv
with this matter. We should not so readllj
'orgul that this is the all-important question
hat our constituencies have creater Intcres1
.n the passage of a law that will afford then
relict than thoy.havo In all other measure-
hat may como before this body. 1 take I
.hat all men who arc willing to stippor
wholesome legislation on this subject will bt
impelled to support this amendment. If thcj
desiru to SPO regulation of this subject thuj
cannot atford to refuse their support to till !
measure. Wo give those who duilre a com
mission system all they ask. Wu glvo thosi
who desire tlm establishment of a maximum
rate what they deslro. Therefore , havinj
brought forth a measure which should nice
the endorsements of the two opposing do
ments I can see. no good reason why wi
should not nnlto In this measure. I wouli
iireo the adoption ot this measure , first , be
cause It establishes a maximum rate as-tin
constitution of this state says this legislature
shall establish , and second , because i
creates a board of commissioner
to carry Into effect these several provision *
In this bill that are calculated to affon
speedy and Inexpensive relief to partle :
ngrleved , u bill which , If adopted and thor
oughly enforced , will redound to the .encra
good of tills state. It establishes thu prlnci
plo that thu legislature has the power am
recognizes its obligation to establish a rra
sonatilo maximum' rate , It will mnko tin
corporations of tills state realize that tin
time for legislation on this subject has conic
nnd thactliey cannot longer delay the mnt
ter , notwithstanding their hired striker.-
with specious , smooth persuasive tongue
who seek to maku yon believe that to cs
tabllsh a maximum rate would work a prac
tieal suicide to tlm best interests of tills stati
as well as to the corporations themselves
All such arguments as these are fallacies
They Kivo you no facts , but plenty of vapor
Ing. They seek to Impose upon you taxaiioi
such as no people would yield to under an
other loriu of government at the bauds of i
ruler. They Impose tuxes upon you withou
permitting you to have any voice In thu mat
tor. Thuy extort charges from you whlcl
are little short of robbery and you aru powei
less , and it does seem as though It wouli
notboa dltllcnlt matter at this time to adop
n measure that is well calculated to allen
lellef. "
MJ. Uobblns of Valley said : "I hav
given some llttlo attention to this bll
Possibly It might have been moro pleasing t
some to have had this como up as a peparat
and independent bill , but thu question as t
thu rlu'ht to Introduce an amendment or sut
Ktltutlon of this kind has been discussed
Tlio authorities have been examined , nn
it has been decided by the chair , and ai
appeal taken resulted In the dial
being sustained. It has been urired by til
apparent Irlonds of the present railroad con
mission law , and urged wltn great forci
and it has not been without reason In tl
torco or argument , that the repeal of ti :
present rallioad commission lav might po
blbly leave th-i state without any law wha
over to guide , guard or protect the just an
conflicting Interests and rights of tlio peep
and the railroad companies ; that an emui
geiicy exists for f-oiuo law delinlngln som
way tlm respective relations existingbetwee
tlm railroads and the. people , and glvin
some power to some individual * by whic
these iesKjcUvo | lights may bo adjusted an
balanced. It seems to mo that an euicrgenc
exists with th party In power ana that part
owes It to thu people to meet the emorgonc
It Is not n political question. It is as bmdln
upon one its the other. The people have
light to demand that some law bo enacted t
which an equilibrium may be struck an
dlll'erences existing between conflicting ' ii
tercsts in this lespect may bo adjusted , an
souie power created to see that the adjii :
munt is enforced and carried out. Tne n
peal , however , of the railroad commlsslc
law as U stands without , the substitution i
spiuethlng ulse , might ba of treat detrimen
riot only to the railroads of the- state , but I
the people , and hence ithas been thoui ; ]
best In Us repeal to otfer" substitute wlU (
. 'presents another bill of- rights defining the
duties and provide ? power by which th
authority-conferred upon those iudlvldna
Inay be enforced. Those who are , ojiposed
imy railroad ' . .legislationwhatever4 undent
edly wlll-objfct to tbjU bill. They ulbo won
bbjpct to. a straight' .repeal of the railrui
commission law and undoubtedly any other
railroad legislation , no matter In what
form and no matter for what object.
The rleht of the people to govern the rail
roads is upon the principle tlu-.t the creator
has the rlulit to govern the crcatim1. \ \ e
oiler a railroad law which embodies the samfl
elements which were desired by the railroads
In ( ho railroad commission law. Wo also
have embodied In It a restriction and cur-
taillni : of their power In thu exorcise of the
legitimate franchises eo delegated to them.
It has been apparent the last two years that
the mere establishment of a railroad commis
sion would not bo satisfactory to the people
of this state. It has been weighed In the
balance and found wanting. Hut a nil I road
commission whoso powers are clearly detined
by the people an act within certain limits
prescribed by the statutes , and these limits
calculated a9 well to protect the rights of the
railroads as those of the people and to adjust
nil those equities In the scale of justice It
cannot help meeting the approval of the pee
ple. "
Mr. Melkleinhn said : "I for one am ready
to go on ami take this senate Hie 41 up In
committee of the whole and act upon it , and
If the amendment oifcred by the gentleman
from Fillmore Is defective in any particular ,
let us nmond It , I wish to say here , however ,
that the amendment to the amendment I am
opposed to first , lixstand always. 1 have
compaicd It. and while 1 favor the lutor-stato
commerce bill. 1 do not favor a bill which
takes rrom that bill passages which
are without effect and leaves out tho'e which
are ellectlve. If the amendment to the
amendment is carried I have nothing further
to say. I hope that each member will read that
bill. I think wo should proceed carefully In
this matter and not. sit hero and act as though
wo had fears to take a stand one way or the
other. ' I am leadv to act. "
/ Mr. Drown of ( "lay said : " 1 have compared
Mr. Coniror's bill with the Intur-stato com
merce bill , and find that the matters left out
are these ucrtainliii ! entirely to Inter-state
commerce , and which would have no appli
cation to our state atlalrs. If the Inter-state
bill was good enough for this senate to me
morialize congress to pass it. Its provisions
are good enough lor this state. There are
senators hero who wanted eon cress to pass
the Inter-stato commerce bill , but when .It
comes down to our state they want to pass
something much moro severe to tlio
rallioads than is the inter-state commerce
bill. 1 want to deal perfectly fair with the
railroads and the people , lam not entirely
satlstied with the Inter-state commerce bill as
n whole , but as between It and the amend
ment ottered by the gentleman fiom Kill-
more , It Is far better tor all parties , and If 1
am compelled to take one or the other I pro
pose to take the Intur-stato commerce bill. "
Mr. Sterling said : " 1 am not surprised
that 'It occurs to tlio gentleman from Clay
that the amendment offered by tlio gentle
man from , luirpr on Is just about such a
measure as tue Interests ot this state demand.
From the very fact that it does not possess a
single ciauso or feature that will in anywise
restrain the corporations of this state from
multiplying their already extortionate rates ,
and since tlio recent passage of the inter-state
commerce bill the roads have already ad
vanced rates on through business. 'They
now are desirous of seeming passage of a
law that will enable thorn to advance rates on
local business. They desire to have n law
that will permit them to make just such rates
as they sec lit and bid defiance to thu people ,
no matter bow grievous the wrong maylx ) .
I tnvlto the gentlemen to show in this bill
where the nccrlcved narty has any remedy
for extortionate rates. "
Mr. Hobbins said : ' 'I do not believe -
lievo that tlio state of ' Ne
braska or any other state can safely at
all times attempt to act under and Incorpor
ate as a pat tot their laws , the laws of the
United States. Kach state lias Its own
adaptabilities. 1 am in favor of Nebraska
making her own laws. Every stale has her
own peculiar railroad laws. This bill has
been presented to get away from legitimate
railway legislation. ; Wi > urn capable as a
legislature ot making our own laws , because
we are under our own peculiar conditions.
1 am not In tavor of this amendment. "
Mr. Melklujohn cut the bill nil to pieces
and showed Its Incongruities to bo glaring
and the whole thing to be gotten together
hurriedly and without care or proper con
sideration. " Theio was notan-ctfectlveelause
in it. The heart and core of tliu inler-stato
bill had been omitted. The amendment as it
stood was of no use whatever.
Mr. Moore made tin explanation , and
hoped that It would not bo construed as a defense -
fenso of the railroads.
Tlio vote tiL'on Mr. Sterling's amendment
fora clause hxing maximum rates resulted
In n tie. the chair ( Majors ) , declaring It lost.
Mr. Colby moved that the committee arise
and report the bill back with recommenda
tion that it pas . Carried.
Mr. Snell moved the adoption ot the re-
Mr. Sterllnc moved to amend the report of
the committee by submitting his original
amendment to bill 41 , and called for thu yeas
and nnys. His motion was lost by a votu of
U ! to 17 , as follows :
Veas Calkins , Casper. Duias , Fuller , lllg-
glns of Cass. Higgins of Colfax , Keckloy ,
Lininger , Moikle oliu , Hobbins , Sehmlnko ,
Sorlck , Sterling. Tz huck , Wolbach , Wriu'hi
10.
Nays lionrsteol , Urown , Burnham , Camp
boll. Colby , Conger , Heartwull , Holmes ,
Kiint , Lindsay , Linn , Majors , MoXamar ,
Moore. Shervin , Snell , Vanuemark 17.
Mr. Llnlmrcr moved that smiato liio 41
with all of Its amendments bo Indefinitely
postponed. Hu said he did this in uider tt
settle the whole quostlon once for all , that II
might not taku any moro time of the senate.
His motion was lost by one vote.
On motion of Mr. Tzschuck the senate ad
journed.
in tlio House.
LINCOLN , Neb. , Feb.23. ( SpecialTelegran
to the BIK.At : ) the opening of the housi
this morning Messrs. Pemberton , White ant
McCann were appointed as members on tin
returning board committee.
Mr. Baird , who has been absent on accotin
of sickness , was granted unanimous permis
slon to introduce n bill making railroad com
panics liable for fires caused by passing loco
motives.
Mr. Bowman's bill providing for n board o
live stuck sanitary commissioners was re
ported for indelinlto postpunment , but upot
that gentleman's motion and quite oxtendei
remarks by him , the bill was placed upon th
general Hit- .
The following hills were Indefinitely cost
poned : Asking congress to investigate th
killing of Captain Kniniet Crawford
giving ownuis of male animal
a Ken on female animals wit !
young ; to relieve parties holding contract ;
for the purchase or lease of public lands ; t
dedicate a Lincoln lot owned by the state t
the Church of United Bictlircn ; also a Ilk
dedication to the Danish Lutheran church
nlso to tlio Seventh Duy Adventlsts congrcga
tlon ; nlbo to the Free Will Baptists ,
Thu house debated at some length upon th
motion by Mr. Whltmoro that thu roll b callci
ami each member naiuo two places for th
normal schools , apd thu two places reculvini
the highest votes bo designated as the eholc
of tha house. The motion was linalU earrlei
with nn amendment that one place bo be
levied nt a time by a majority ,
Mr. Slater spoke In tavor of Fremont ani
withdiew the name of Wavne.
Mr. Fox said that Plum Creek was the com
merclal and olllclal center of Duwson county
the population of which was 1U,000. Th
town has 1.500 people. Ho wanted a norma
school at Plum Creek ,
Mr. Whltmore SPOKO in favor of Fremoni
Mr. Newcomer favored Hed Cloud. Hesali
the people of that part of the state wauiei
education ttnd needed It bad.
Mr. Dempster advocated Geneva's claims
Others presented Aurora , Broken Bo\\
Falrbiiry and Ord. The votu showed tha
Fremont was the choice of thirty-six mem
bers und In this order named the other place
were represented as follows : Aurora receh
Ingelu'hteun votes ; Geneva , Plum Creel
Broken How , Falrbury. and Ord. No plac
having received a majority , another balic
was taken. No cliolca was declared , n
tremout received only twenty-seven an
Aurora lifteon ; while the rest of the suveiitj
six were scattered around Impartially on th
second ballot. Omaha received one vote
From the number of gentlemen from ditfei
ent parts of the state .who were present i
the lobby and on the floor , it was evident tnr
n number of locations werelbuliu very vlgoi
oijily championed.and normal school site
are ejiL'erly sought for.
.JUtEMONT AND ACKOHA.
When.tho-house reconvened , at the aftei
n.opj > se.ssion. by -motion Irom Mr. Whl
urort1. flit ) railroad , bill was nmdo the sped :
order tit'4 p. ui.-aud thcucu thereafter uut
disposed of. The voting upon Hie locations
of two normal schools was resumed. It
showed that the house Was litllo nearer to a
icsult than before the first ballot was taken ,
Broken Uow on this heat was winner , having
received iwcntr-umo votes and after that
location Aurora ana Fremont were the favor
ites.
ites.Mr. . AVhl'moro ncaln urged his plurality
Idea , but Mr. Mlllor opposed It vigorously.
Ho contended that the bill would fall when
It came to final passage , because tnero would
bo enough disappointed members who would
vote against It. In any event , too much
tlmo was being coniuiiucil. But there wai
no use of talking about a plurality. It wasn't
constitutional. A plurality couldn't settle
anything In this house.
A motion to refer the bill to the committee
on normal schools was lost.
Upon the following ballot Fremont , by
various chances , became the cholco for one
of the schools , receiving forty-eight votes ,
with foity-threo neccssurv.
Buforo voting on the second location Mr.
Dempster , on bahalf ot the delegation from
Geneva , offered 515,000 and ton acres of laud
for a school. On thu ballot Aurora wild Plum
Creek led with eighteen and seventeen votes
respectively , but theio was no cholco and
another ballot became necessary.
Mr. Kennedy of Kearney moved that fur
ther pioceedlngs bo postponed until next
Monday at U p. in. Tha motion was lost and
the toll was called acalu. Although the con
stitutional changes wow numerous yet thcro
weru not enough of them , and Geneva only
attained twentv-six , or ton less than a ma
jority. Plum Creek And llrokcn Bow were
next. Tlio following ballot was equally un-
successful.
Auiora , on the seventh ballot , received
forty-eight votes and with Fremont will bo a
place for a normal m-.hool If tliu bill passes
thu senate and Is approved.
Till : UAll.IiOAI ) BII.T. .
The house went into committee of the
whole with Mr. Whltmoro In tlio chair.
Tlm discussion opened on the amendments
which were offered on Friday to section 11.
Thu first was Mr. Harlan's , which establishes
the reasonable maximum rate to bo the dls-
tanco rate table of the Iiurllntton ; Missouri
Ulver Uallroad In Nebraska , which took
effect Juno 1 , 1SS1 , and which was filed In the
office ot the railroad commisiloners of Ne
braska on July ! ' , 18b3 , i educed by decreas
ing the rates for flic various classes of trolght
therein contained for live mill's I per cent
and for each additional live miles , an addi
tional 1 percent until the itlstancoof 100 miles
is reached and " 0 per cunt reduction on all
rates for anv distance utter IQ'J mllo.s.
Mr. Ilarlan briefly supported his amend
ment , claiming that the establishment of a
maximum rate was a necessity.
Mr. Caldwcll opposed a maximum rate nt
length and torcibly. Ho contended that tlm
attempt on the part of the legislature to em
power three men to lix rates lor which work
tony able men wore employed by the rail
roads was ridiculous. It was old womanish.
Ho thought his substitute enabling the com
missioners to establish a prima faclo rate was
.ho only practicable legislation. . Hailro.ids
ivero built in this country to overcome dis-
anco. JCstablishlng a maximum rate killed
competition. Tlio legislature was fooling
ivith a buzz saw when it contemplated pass-
'ng ' a maximum rate. The great question for
ho people of this statu was tlie cost of tlm
ielnht shipments to tlio markets of the
world , to the seaboard , The maximum rate ,
if established , would boadded to the through
rate. Let the railroads ttciul to their own
business and let us attend to ours. If they
impose on the people make them liable as
common carriers.
Mr. Jiallard said the rates beyond the
Missouri river were less than they
were this side of the Missouri. The
gentleman had said that the prin
ciple of equal rates' for equal distances
should be adhered to."Look ( at the follow-
'ng rates , " sententioiisiy said Mr. Ballad ,
'ouncll '
.Si )
" " " "
cents.
"Chicago to Omaha.'owest rate , 14 cents ;
Omaha to Fairmont , U cents.
"It Is tills kind of e ual rates for equal dis
tance'that wo desirevto lemedy. A maxi-
num rate alone will do It. "
Tlio house then nd ) > urned without farther
debate. . . . -
ho Amen tlmcnt Recount.
I.N , Nub. 1'eb. 2.1 } . [ Special Tele-
cram to the Bui : . ] TI'IO recounting of the
ballots on the amendment vote commenced
at - o'clock tin afternoon at tliu
secretary of state's odico. Sena
tors Yandemark ruld Sehmlnko and Rep
resentatives PemberUm , White and McCann
with the secretary of state and auditor are
assisted by about a cbzen clerks. Over twenty
counties have been heard from , Including
Sauiulers and others In which tlio ureatest
discrepancies are sipposed to occur. Tlio
following counties , with gains , were recall-
vassod by the return ng board this afternoon :
Adams Ill
Cheyenne. „ : ; o
Furnas 88
Madison 5 ! )
Phelps : u
Dawson 1A7
Total 4S5
It looks favorabb for thu amendment.
XKW ITCIUC STOCKS.
Firmness In AI Foreign Market ?
Onuses a Strong Opening.
NEW Yoiti\ , Feb , 23. [ Special Telegram
to the Bui : . ] Firmiess In all the foreign
markets and a sharpadvanco In Kngllsh and
French national .seairttics caused n strong
opening In tlio Will street market to-day.
It was considered tlat Bismarck's victory In
tlio German election ensured the maintain-
anco of peaeo for tto present. The opening
prices , however , woo the highest for the day.
Largo lines of Keating were thrown on the
market , breaking tie prlco of that stock IJf
percent. Thocausiof the selling was said
to bo the necessity of depositing stock in
Philadelphia Male ) 1. leqiiliing brokeis to
pay cash for their Inklings. They evidently
did not care to put ip so much money and
advised their client to sell out. Thu rumor
that Mr. Corbin lid sold out his Heading.
expecting to buy itjaclcjafter the payment of
thu assessment , wadenied , Mr. Corbin as
serting that he waso buyer on the drop. The
bruak exorcised m e or less of u demoraliz
ing Influence on tb rest of the list , and u
shading oft'of values was the result.
KxetmtiL'o rates \\caup again , and this , to
gether with the dnlncss of the market , ea-
coin aired tliu bears' n their belief that theio
could bo no nmtolal advance until prices
were lot "down sivoral points. Grantors
were In good dcmml , Northwestern being
especially strong iifaco of tha weakness of
thuiustof the inanet. At nuon the mnikut
was steady at a frctlonnl decline from the
opening. Toward ! the close Beading was
boomed by clique wylng , and nearly all of
the early decline m regained. Shorts were
largo buyers ot U con Pacific and St. Paul.
A better feeling \MS observable in the dealIngs -
Ings , and the dlspslllun to buy was more
marked than for uong time , 'lite closu was
strong at about tomrines for tlw day , The
total sales were abut 300,000 , shares.
OMAHA JATKS JtAISED.
Tha Ccneralaiin firs Agree Upon
anA.lvauce.
CHICAGO , Feb. t. Tlio general managers
of the Western Fright association lines to
day partly agred upon an advance In
( brought rates be teen Council 1 ! I nil's and
Chicago. Unless he managers reconsider
their action thu tarf rates after April 1 will
bo about as follevs : Kast bound wheat ,
Omaha to Chleajo o cents a hundred ; corn ,
22 cents ; live stocli per car , S70 ( old rate Is
5545) ) ; hogs , SOU ; pcUlng house products , 5
cents per hundrodabove Kansas City rates.
On classes coverlg merchandise Council
Blntls and KUIISR City rates will about
correspond. In tb northwest an attempt
will be made toadauce all rates except flout
and grain Irom 5.0 10 cents a hundred , al
though ut least one of thu roads Is opposed
to any increase on'he ' ground that It is called
upon' to hurt It-sown business to protect
others. Another csslou will be held to
morrow. <
Failure.
Sv. PAUL , Feb. | . The Pioneer Press says
Edwar.d M. Biggs , vholesalo and retail drug
gist , will make alignment to-day. Llablli
ties S 100 , 000 , Asses supposed to bu snlllcient
to cover Uio loss ,
DEATH AND DESTRUCTION ,
Terrible Earthquakes Sweep Through the
Whole of the Italian Riviera.
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE KILLED
Towns Completely Wiped Out of K\-
Istcnco lly the Kenrfktl Disaster
A 1'anfo Seizes the Entire
1'oputntlon.
Frightful Rnrtli Upheavals. *
\fopi/HoM \ 1JW bu James ( Ionian Homed. ]
'
PATHS , ( via Havre ) Feb. vtt.-Now | York
Herald Cable-Special to the Uir..J : The
following telegram from Turin lias just been
received by Iho Figaro : "A very severe lesser
or llfo from an earthquake has occurred In
Savonn. Inono house In Urn ruu Untorla
clglit ileail bodies have been draggciPfrom the
ruins. At Altara and Novl.Llcitro.too , many
liavo boon klllod nid wounded.
Troops have been sent from licro to Alasseo
and Genoa. On the coast the greatest con
sternation prevallsoxnd the people ; are taking
the railway stations by storm. The munici
pal authoiitlcs at Turin have posted placards
throughout the city to calm the panic
stricken population.
THE SHOCKAT MCE.
NICK ( via Havre ) , Fob. 23. [ Now York
Herald Cable Special to the Bin : . ] Only
last night Nice and the Itlvlcra grandes fetes
dc null wore In full swlnir. The Illumina
tions , tlio fireworks and the torchlUht pro
cession culminated In a perfect saturnalia
when the figure of the carnival was burned In
a magnlllcont blaze on the place do la Pro-
fcture. This evening at live minutes before
0 Nice was thrown into a panic by a
severe shock of earthquake , the oscillations
rolling from the northeast to the southwest.
All the houses swayed to and fro like cradles
and from the chimney tops to the founda
tions cracked. Women , shrieking like
maniac ? , appeared at the windows in their
night dresses. The suy seemed to be all In
flames. It glared with n blood-red color. Two
more shocks succeeded each other
at brief intervals , and the en-
tlro population rushed frantically
Into the streets all in their night dresses.
Men , women and chlldion jostled against
one another. Fashionable beauties were
cheek by jowl with beirgars and servants.
Each was fully confident that the last hour
had come. Parisian club men were rush
ing about panic stricken with naked
feet protruding beneath their fantastic
pyjamassome of them holding their trowsers
in their hands. The palace des I'iatanes ,
the place Wasscna and the place Garibaldi
were filled with half naked and terrified
masses of humanity. Here and there were
to be noticed groups of masqueraders , pier-
rots , harlequins and North American In
dians , who had been making a night of It.
When they were returning to their homes
they were surprised by the earthquake.
Tin : I'liisT CATASTUOTHC.
The first lionso to full was No. 7 Kuc Paga-
ninl. The root crushed In just as the
Countess Bin ! Uanlf , who occupied an apait-
nirut on the fifth story , clothed only in a
lace trimmed batiste robe do mm , wasin tlio
act of jumping out of the window. The
countess had her right thigh fractured and
her. head was split open. Sim now lies in the
hospital between life and death. Jimp.
Choylan , who lived in tlio same apartment ,
was killed outright and her mangled remains
have just been pulled out from beneath the
heap of ruins. The villa Natha , in the rue
Saint Etiennc , crumbled to atoms , but
five ladiesand men whA inhabited it escaped
miraculously by jumping out of the window
and tlioy only incurred slight injuries. Tlirco
children were also saved by Lieutenant Hen-
net , ot the Sapeurs. Pompiers , who had ills
left hand crushed
fcTir.r , ANOTIIKR RHOOIf.
At half past 8 came another shock , caus
ing the boJfry of the St. Augustine church to
como crashing down with a noise like tr.c
roar of artillery. A small stone roclicttua
and struck Mr. lialhaway , sun of the United
States consul , on the loft temple , cutting It
open. .Mr. Hathaway was carried off by
tlio lircmcn ami had his wound dressed by
Dr. Barely. Then another shock came and
Mr.Hathawsay suddenly rccoveied conscious
ness. He rose to his feet , stalled and ran
away as fast as lie could. Dr. Batcty chased
him and catching up with him , held him and
finished the operation.
OUT is rNwtr.ss.
Villa des Carahiors , inhabited Dy the
Compto and Countess K. d'ICu , swayed and
seemed about to full , nnd their royal high
nesses In night dresses jumped out of the
windows. Tlio Due do Nemours and tlio
Princess K. Blanche d' Orleans arc living in
a tent In the garden of the villa
( irasielia. The popular restaurant Franrals
Is in ruins. Among the ornaments of tlio
fashionable world seen capering about In
night toilets were Lady Carthncss , the
Marcldoress Camblato , Mine. Wurt Duudas ,
Mrs. Huuston , Miss Houston , Miss Warren ,
Miss Sprang , Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton , Dr.
Hobllgs , Dr. Wakelield , Mrs. G. Wood , the
ComptcsbO d'Aspromonto , Lady Graham ,
Miss Jarvls Amos , Mrs. Sarcent , Mrs.
Wallndiey , Miss Wilson , Mr. B. Tilden , Mr.
Waketield , Mr. and Mrs. Thompson , Mrs.
Scovllle , Mms. do Saphonow nnd others ot
the phalanx o ( brilliant society of .Nice.
AM. ruMi-rn OUT noons.
On tlio heights around Clmllz 2,000 Ameri
cans , English and Hussians are encamped ,
the military authorities having placed touts
nt their disposal. A battallion ot Infantry
patrols the streets and sentinels pass
up and down In front of
the villas and shops. All tuo
camps and omnibuses anturned Into habita
tions and command fabulous prices. A cab.
for the night costs 5,000 francs. The railway
fetation Is literally besieged. It Is a cuso of
sauve qui p put. Everybody Is trying to get
away. Six thousand passengers left to-day
for Paris and S.OOO for Italy. With the ex
ception of Mr. Halhaway no American has
been Injuied , but all are torrlbly frightened ,
AT OTHKll I'OINTfl.
At Mantono nearly all the houses will have
to bo rebuilt. The villas Cepollno and Moll-
nary , In falling , killed the workmen and
wounded several others. At Cannes the
shock was very slight , merely
shaking the houses and frightening
the people. It did no harm
thorn. At Cnnco eight persons were killed
and twonty-eleht were wounded. At Port
Maurice eight were wounded and one was
killed , but thcro are no Americans among
the dead or wounded.
ADDITIONAL DKTAII.S.
LONDON , Feb. i3. ! Further dispatches con
cerning the earthquakes In southern Europe
this morning state that two violent shocks
were foil at Toulon at 0 o'clock. The lirst
shock WHS of lit teen seconds duration , and
the second of twelve seconds. At ( 'antic
three shocks were felt at the same hour. The
lirst shock , which was very violent ,
lasted for a minute. The second and third
shocks were not so heavy &i at lirst. Many
people in this place rushed to the sea shore
for safety. Nobody wu : > Injured.At
Avignon three shocks wcru experienced be
tween G uu'l S o'clock. Tim lirst shock was
very severe and awakened everybody In the
pince. Several shocks were felt at Genoa at
0 o'clock.
A dispatch from Nice , dated noon to-day ,
says many casualties wore caused by the
caithquako this morning. The people are
panic stricken and the entire population are
In tlio streets. Hallway stations are be-
siegeu with visitors anxious to leave. Two
houses , one In St , Etlcnno street nnd one In
St , Phllllpo street and Maison Bourke , were
destroyed. Tlirco persons are burled In the
ruins of these buildings.
At the time of the earthquake this morn
ing the Uivcra was crowded with English
and American tourists and persons of dis
tinction. When the lirst shook occurred the
streets of Nlco were fairly thronged with
persons in ball-room costumes returning to
their homes from tlio last carnival of the
winter season. To these the earthquake
came with peculiar terror. Tha shocks were
felt wllli great severity at Savona , near
Genoa , and a number of houses weio
wrecked and eleven persons killed at that
place.
The Prlnco of Wale ? being at Cannes , the
queen bccamo exceedingly anxious concern
ing him when she learned of tlio earthquake ,
and she at once telegraphed him. The
prince Immediately telegraphed a reassuring
reoly , saying ho was well and uninjured.
The goeminent. . In consideration of the
popular concern about the safety of tins
prince , have requested him by telegraph to
return to England as boon as ho can con
veniently to allay anxiety.
An olllclal dispatch from Cannes s.tys that
no Injury was douo to llfo or property there
but a great panic piovails.
Further details from the IMvcra Increase ,
the disaster. At Cervo , near Dlanomarlna ,
r.00 persons wore killed by being buried in
the ruins of falling buildings. Hallway tratlic
Is suspended beyond Savona. Tlio prisoners
In the government jail at Flnalborgo.
alarmed by tlio eaithquake , attempted to es
cape , but were overcome by the guards.
KOMI : , Feb. at. Two shocks of earthquake
were I'elt at N'lco at G this morning. Houses
rocked , walls cracked , and In some cases
frail tenements wore thrown 'to the ground.
The reoplo rushed from their houses and tell
on their knees In the streets praying lor de
liverance from sudden death. Visitors to the
city have been thoroughly frichteucd and are
leaving the place. Many persons wore Injured
by falling debris. Much alarm is
lelt lest there bo a recurrence
of the shocks. Tim Prince jut Wales , who
was in Nice a few days ago" witnessing the
festivities which precede tlio Lenten season ,
hail taken his departure and was sato at
Cannes. Shocks were felt at Monte Carlo
and Monaco , at which places they were so
severe that rocks were detached from the
cliffs and precipitated Into the sea. The
disturbances extended as far as Genoa.
A second and severe shock of earthquake
has occurred in Genoa , Pavia. Lucia , Cuneo ,
Albissoia , Pose , Maurizio , Oneglla and No-
Iln. At Savona eight persons were killed and
fifteen others Injured. Immense damage
was done to property.
Tlio earthquake this morning devastated
the whole of tlio Italian Klviora. At Voll ,
on the gulf of Genoa , and not far troui Sa-
vona.suveral houses fell and fifteen persons
were killed. Six wcrS Killed and thirty in
jured at Onecll , also at tlio culf of Genoa.
-vt uuinomariua , near Onogll , scores of peo-
plo-wcro"k lllea"niid hundreds Injured. Fully
one-third of the town was destroyed.
At Nine tlio earthquake shocks hare
caused an awful sur prise to crowds of mask
ers luturnlng homo Irom the carnival festivi
ties in fancy costumes worn and bedrai' < le.d
by tlio night's uxeicises anil looking dull and
dreary under tlm glare of the morning sun
light Tlio first shock created an Immediate
panic. Women screamed in terror. Thcie
was a wild rush in all directions lor
safety from what everyone thought
an awtul impending calamity. The
barking of dogs and the claiming of church
bells added to tlm momentary terror. The
people lirst riibhcd to thu church of Notrn
Dame and bcsieced the contesslonals. Tlio
dramatic scone was piesentedof many strolls
men on their knees praying. Then came
the second shock. Terror was depicted on
every face. The praying crowds hastened
outside for safety. The tioops weie called
out to keep orderamong theciowdsbeselglng
the railways throughout the city. To-day
there Is a blup , cloudless sky and warm sun.
A technical Inspection will bo necessary to.
discover thu extent of the diimago to piop-
crty. One lady jumped from a window In
terror when the liist shock came and now
lies in a precarious condition.
Cardinal < Tncnl > lnl Very Iirv. .
[ Cnwirlylit 1W liu James Cordon /Jcmic'i.l '
KOMI : , Fob. 21 J Now York Herald
Cable Special to the UKI : . | Cardinal Jacobin -
bin ! Is dangerously 111. 1 called at tlio Vatican
to-day and was Informed that tlio cardinal
was In oxtromls and was not exposed to
live through the week. Ho suffers seriously
from dlscaso of the heart , a continued colic
and other serious complications. His death
Is regarded as Imminent. It Is probable , In
vlow of the result ot the German election and
Prince Blsmnrk's victory , to which the
Jacoblnl letter contributed so much , that
Cardinal Jacoblnl will be succeeded by Mgr.
Gullascrtl , who for some ( line past has
viitually managed the buicau of foreign
affairs at tlio Vatican under the supreme
supeivislon of the holy father.
The German Elections.
UKIII.IN , Feb. 2 ! ! . The National Xeltung ,
commenting on the elections , Kays : For
eigners will now sen how mistaken they
weio in regarding thu vote on thu army hill
In tlio rolchstag last January us expressing
Gcrmantpnhlli ! opinion.
BKIIMN. Fi-b. an. Tlio results In 200 elec
tion districts me known. Candidates elected
comprise 100 supporters of the Heptimnato
and ninety-eight opponents of the measmu.
Jte-electloiib will bo necessary In forty-live
districts.
1 p. in. At this hour the results In ! > 2l din
tilcts are known. The candidates elected Include
cludo 170 scplennlsts and iu:5 : opponents of
the government.
1 p. m , The results in ! ib : districts are In ,
showing ilm election of ntlseptennl&ts , and
109 opponents of the government. Now
elections In fifty-thieo districts will bo neces
sary. Tlitt reichstag has been summoned to
meet March it.
Tlm conservative and national liberal ma
jority In the now reichstai. is now undisputed ,
although their numerical strength Is not yet
ascertained. Tlio majority wilt inaugurate u
ntiw era , devoted to the work of consolidat
ing and developing the empire , lor the mem
bers of those two parties ( the conservative
and national liberal ) will act together
as formeily and endeavor to icniedy the
errors of the past docado.
The Ftench Jubilant.
PAIIIS , Peb. 2.1. The newspapers of this
city aio jubilant over thu result of the elec
tion in Alsace-Lorraine. They say Germany
Is not able to obtain tlio hearts of the In
habitants of the annexed provinces.
.Must Ho Decided By the
iNniANArous , Feb. 23. The supreme
comt to-day handed down lit. decision in the
Sniitli-KobcrlKon cns-o , In which the former
prayed tor an Injunction to restrain thu lat
ter from exercising tlio duties ol lieutenant-
governor , thu position to which lit ) was
chosen at the gnncrul election In November
last Tlio opinion refused the Injunction on
the grounds of jurisdiction , thus In effect de
claring the cast ! nmt bo decided by the gun-
era ! assembly and not by the courts.
Tltb 1'renldcncy ol'tho Hennte.
WASHINGTON , Feb. BO. The republican
senators will caucus to-monow to bolect a
candidate for the presidency of the tenate.
Hoar and Ingnlls are the only persons prom
inently mentioned iu connection with the
honor.
The Embryo Party at Cincinnati Adopts a
LOUR Platform ,
WHAT ITS PROVISIONS ARE.
It Declares hi Knvor or I mix I I'or the
1'coplc , Government Control of
the JtnltrontlH mill Other
Itot'orins.
The Ijnhor Conference.
CINCINNATI , Feb. 'J3. It was an hour
after the time tor couvonlne this morning
when the chair called about one-half of the
dele gates to the national labor party to order.
On motion of Severance , the rules were sus
pended and Crocker of Kansas was per
mitted to explain the Oklahoma Qninvemcmt.
lit ? presented a resolution declaring that this
land was now In the possession of a vait cattle -
tlo syndicate by the undue Influence ol the
United States courts , tlio army and other of-
licers. The resolution cimnutt'd tlm ptosent
administration and demanded the passage of
the now pending Oklahoma bill , nud It this
congiess did not pass the bill then luqiiesl-
Ing the president to convene tlio next congress -
gross In extra session to pass tlm lull. After
some discussion the resolution was tefcrred
to the proper committee.
Mrs. Severance of Milwaukee addressed
the convention and prophesied the further
denial of lno ; speech unless the monopoly
power wascuitailed.
Jesse Harper , of Illinois , made n speech de
claring .that It should bo the announced
policy of the convention that no freight or
papsensor rates should not bo based on E'l
watt-rod stock. The convention adjourned
to i ! o'clock ,
The committee on resolutions repented the
following :
Preamble Delegates of various Industrial
and reform political organizations have as
sembled from thirty-one Mntosaud tenltorles
on this mmlvctsary of tlio birth of "tho
father of his country" to vlow thu blttmtion
of public ulTaiis anil advise proper action.
General discontent prevails on tlm part of ;
wealth producers ; farmers are suffering from
a poverty wh < ch has loiced most ot them to
mortirapo their estates , and prices of pro
ducts 'are so low as to olfor no
roller except thrnuch bankruptcy ; laborers
are sinkluu into Rieatcrand greater depend
ence ; strikes are icsorted to without bring
ing relief , because of tlio inability of employ
ers In many cases to pay living waucs , wlillo
mom and more uio driven into the btreets ;
business men liml collections almost Impos
sible. .Meantime hundreds of millions of
idle public money which Is needed for rek'f
Is locKud up in the United States treasury In
grim mnckurv ot the distress ; land monopoly
nourishes as never before and morn and
inoiu owners of the soil are daily becoming
tenants. The gieat transput talon corpora
tions still uccecd in extolling their profits
upon watered stock through unjust charm's.
The United States seimto has become
an open scandal , its scats being purchased
by thu rich In open delianco of thu popular
will. A trilling fisheries dispute is bcized
upon as an excuse for squandering public
money upon unnecessary military piepara-
tions , which are designed to breed a spirit of
war to ape European despotism and to empty
the treasury without paying tlio public debt.
Under these uud other alarming conditions ,
wo appeal to the people of this wnolc coun
try to como out ot tin ; old party organizations
whose inditfcrtiiice to the public welfare Is
responsible for this distress , and help us to
orcaulza a new political party , not sec
tional hut national , whoso members shall
bo called commoners ; vhosonobject shall
bo * to repeal'all. . - class " laws * in favor
of the rich , andto relieve the distress ot our
industries by establishing thu following prin- .
clples : ,
1. Land Kvery human being possesses a
natural , inalienable right to .sulllelent land
for self support , and wo desire to secure to
every Industrious clti/.cn a home , as the
highest result of freu institutions. To this
und wo demand n graduated land tax on all
large f states , especially those held for speculative -
ulative or tenant purposes ; It ho reclamation
ot all unearned land Krauts ; thu Immediate
opiminir of Oklahoma to homestead settle
ment ; the purchase of all unoccupied Indian
lands and the settlement of the
various tribes upon lands In sev
erally ; also laws preventing corporations
from acquiring real e.stato beyond the re
quirements of their business , and alien own
ers of land. The systems of Irrigation , In
states and territories where necessary , shall
bo under such public control as shall secure
thu irco and oqultablo Ube of the waters and
tranehlsu to thu people.
2. Transportation. The means of commu
nication and transportation should bo owned
or controlled by thu people , as IK the United
hiatus postal system , ana equitable rates
every where established ,
; ! . .Money Thu establishment of a national
monetary system in tlio Interest of the pro
ducer instead of the speculator and usurer ,
by which thu circulating medium In neces
sary quantity and full legal tender iihall bo
issued directly to the people without the In
tervention of the banks , or loaned to cltl/cns
tipnn ample security at a low rule of Inter
est , to relieve them from the extortions ol
usury and unable them to control tlio money
supply. Postal ( -uvingH banks should
lie established. AVhllo wo have free
eolnau'u of gold wo should have
In-o coinage of silver. W demand a prompt
payment of tlm national debt and condemn
f Hither Issue of Interest bearing bonds oil her
bv tlio national government or by states , ter
ritories , counties or municipalities.
I. Labor Arbitration should take the place
of strikes and other injuiiouA methods of nct-
tllntr labor disputes ; the letting ot convict
labor to contractor should bo prohibited ;
the contract system should bo abolished in
public woiks ; tlio bourn of labor in Industrial
establishments should bo reduced com-
iiimiMiratu with the Increase ot the
production In labor-saving machin
ery ; flinployi'S should iio protected
from bodily injury , equal pay bclncu'lven for
equal work for both sexes , and labor , ugrl-
culturn and co-operative associations bo
fostered and incorporated by law. Tlio
foundation of thu republic. Is the Intelligence
of its cltl/ens , and ehlldien who are driven
Into workshops , minus and manufactories ,
niu deprived ol education , which bliould bo
secured to all by piopcr legislation. Wo dn-
siio to hcu labor oinanUatlons extended
throughout all clvllUcd countries until it
shall be Impossible tor despots to allay the
working-men of out ) country In a war against
their brothers of another country ,
! > . .Soldiers and HailoiB in appreciation of
the services ot United .States .soldiers anil
sailors , we demand for them Justice before ,
charity. The purposely depieclated money
paid thorn dining the war should ho nmdo
equal in value to Ilm uolil paid bondholder : ) .
The soldier was promised coin or its equiv
alent and paid In depreciated paper. The
bondholder loaned the government , depre
ciated paper nnd contracted to taltu It back ,
and was paid in gold.
0. liicomu Tax A graduated income tax la
the must equitable system of taxation , plac
ing thu burden of thu government on those
who can best aH'onl to pay , Instead of laying
It on thu farmer and ptodncer and exempting
the millionuire and bondlioldeis and corpora
tions.
7. The United States Senate Thu capture
of the United States senatu by nillllonalies
and tools of corporations , who have no sym
pathy with flue * Institutions , threatens the
very existence of tlio republic. . Wo demand
u constitutional amendment .unking United
States tenatois elective by a dliect vote of
tile people ,
ti. Chinese State and national laws should
bu passed as shall elfectually exclude from
America the Mongolian slave and Asiatic
competition.
U. Armed Men The employment of bodies
of armed men by private corporations snonld
bo piohlPlted.
JO , Kaunllty The rlclit to vote is Inherent
in citliuiibhlp , ll respective of so.V.
11. Temperance Krcce&ivo wealth , resultIng -
Ing In luxury and Idleness mi one hand anil
excessive toll and poveily on the other lead
to Intemperance and vice. The measures ot
icform here demanded will pumi ; o be the
H""ntlllc ! solution of ihe temperasce O.UCS- .
tion. _
A Kallrotui Iivllr-.n l
NKW YOIIK , Feu. Si Tliu U'ln * . &
Northwestern tailway lisa dtnr ! it a dlvl
dcnd of IJf per runt , oupiefentd block , pay.
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