THE ( BIAHA DAILY BEE : WEDNESDAY JUNE 19 , 1880.-SIXTEEN PAGES.
HAND POWER PRESS USED BY THE BEE , 1871-2.
KSKIVT PlfK.S ik
,
The Evolution In Prlntln Machinery
Strikingly Illustrated.
GRAND PROGRESS PICTURED.
From n Ilniul Press of 1871 to the
rctTcc-tlng Tresses or To-day
The JUco'a First Motor a
Muscular lUcliiiiouil.
The press on which the flrst copy of Tjin
BEE was printed , was a Cincinnati bund
cylinder , purchased by Rcdfteld Bros. , somewhere -
where In the sixties , for $1,300 , u cut of
which is Riven. The capacity of this press was
about seven hundred impressions an hour ,
or about three hundred and flfty complete
four-page sheets per hour. The power flrst
employed In turning out TUB BUB wus an
able-bodied and intelligent contraband by
the name of Archie Richmond , who is at
this time employed In the Bee buildlng.and
whoso portrait appears in this lst > uc. At his
best he wus capable of running oft 375 com
plete papers an hour , so that
beginning about 1 o'clock in the
afternoon ho kept on grinding until ho mnu-
nged to get out the entire edition of about
vo or six hundred copies. This is in strik-
Inc contrast with the two lightning presses
of THE Bun to-day which turn out 48,000 four
page paper an hour or 24,000 eight pngo pa
pers , cut , pasted , folded and counted. Had
Archie Richmond been compelled to run oft
to-day's full sixteen page edition
on the old Cincinnati press it
would have taken him fully twenty clays
of ten hours hard labor each day. Tun BEE'S
lightning presses prints the edition in 45
minutes.
'Xho old Cincinnati press belonging to the
Rcdficlds was used by Tun BBC until after
the lire In Juno , Is72. ! After moving into the
Farnnm Btroct ofllco Mr. Rosoivater invested
in a second hana tlirco revolution Hoe press
with a capacity of SJ.GOO to 3,000
four page Impressions an hour. This Hoe
press wus perhaps about twelve orilfteen
years old then , and was in use In THE BEE
ofllco ton years. When taken out it wus still
a llrst class machine. It was the flrst Hoe
press brought into Nebraska. To it was
added In coursa of time a Cottrcll & Babcock
largo cylinder second-hand press. Then Mr.
RoHOWatcr made another venture and bought
a now two-revolution Cottrell & Babcock
press which was considered o bo a marvel in
this section. It was used in printing the
papbr nnd also for job work. About eight
ycurs ago , soon ufterthe flrst folding machine
was put on the market by Chambers , of
Philadelphia , one of these machines was
purchased. This was tno flrst folding ma
chine brought Into the stuto.
Them a double-cylinder second-hand Hoe
press was purchased , and shortly afterwards
a Doxtcr automatic folder , which was fol
lowed by another , both being attached to the
double-cylinder press. A now double-cylin
der press was added about six years ago ,
and that was also 'equipped with two Dexter
automatic folders , thus making the presses
of Tun Br.K unrivaled in this section of the
country at that time. But oven thcso facili
ties wore found to bo unequal to the emer
gency , ns great delay was oxpcricnccd In
getting off the various editions of Tin !
Br.E , especially the weekly , which had
grown to great proportions. A Web
perfecting press was finally purchased at the
Potter works , Plulnflcld , N. J. , at a cost of
(17,000 , Including ttio dampening machine
und the stereotyping apparatus. This press
was put in operation September 28 , 1885. A
year later a second Web perfecting press was
found to bo ticcessury , and while the local
contemporaries ridiculed the idea of Tun
BEK needing a press that would print 12,030
complete papers an hour , tbo Increase in cir
culation actually required two such presses ,
the weekly having grown closely on to 40,000
circulation.
GUUAT UATXLE8 FOUGHT.
A Itavicw of Important Victories Won
by Tlio Boo In Eighteen Years.
Tiii : BEE has taken nn active part in every
public contest and Question slnco Us incep
tion. It has espoused the causa of the weak
against the strong , opposed every
species of monopoly and cham
pioned every movement calculated to
advance the material prosperity of No-
brnska and the great west. It has foughl
the battles of the toiler and producer
against cot-pot oto power , and scored victor
ies when tlio odds seemed overwhelming.
Corruption In public place was exposed ani
driven fiom power. Abuses wherever they
existed were fearlessly denounced.
Tlio Hoiml or Edmmtion.
At the very outset TUB BEE advocated the
law enacted by the legislature in 1871 organ
IzliiK the bonru of education for the city ol
Omaha mid abolishing the board of regents
which then hud charge of the high school
This law inada all public schools frco am
placed them In charge of the board of oducn
tion , The board was to consist of twelve
members , two from each ward , to serve
without pay. A lively contest resulted. The
board otrcgcntfl , supported by the Herald
and Republican , attempted to defeat the
law , while Tin : Ben nlono championed the
change calculated to ' 'lay the foundation ol
an educational system which cannot fall to
cxorcUo the most potential Influence on the
future prosperity of the city. " The election
toolc place Wednesday , July I'J.lBTl , and
resulted In a rousing victory for TUB KGB
Speaking of the result TUB BEH said : "Out
of 1,040 votes polled at the special election
yesterday , 101 represents tlio potential influ
ence of the leading republican organ of the
state , and a number of so-called leaders ol
public opinion. It must certainly be extremely
tromoly gratifying to thin grand combination
against educational reform that TUB lice li
enabled to Judge with mathematical precis
Ion the exact force they exert in any do
tired direction , "
The adoption of this law wan the founda
tion pf tlio piosunt board of education , and
the success of tie ay stem since then strlk
Ingly verifies tl)3 Prediction niado by Tut
13 UK.
Th < ! Constitution FI 'M.
Tho. first constitutional convention , which
assembled In Lincoln , Junn 7 , 1S71submitted
the result of Itslabois to the people late In
August. Five separate articles were lu
eluded , the principal ones being woman
suffrage , prohibition und church taxation
THIS BRB approved the body of tlio docu
luent and feurlessiy advocated IU adoption
whllo urging : the defeat of the separate pro
positions. The provision of the consUtutiot
reducing the number of oRlco-holaorn rousei
the wrath of the spoilsmen and rullroac
* ubildU r . who wra aiicounur < uJ and au
plaudcd by the Herald , Tribune nnd Repub
lican , which nt tlio same time damned it
with faint prulso. The nntl-suffrnglsts nnd
antl-prohibltionlsts Joined with them In
n general assault on the whole docu
ment. Religious denominations attacked
the provision taxing all property exceeding
? 5,000 In value , and ovcry pulpit was turned
into nn opposition stump. Thcso clement ! ) ,
controllng the election machinery of the
tatc , openly boasted , weeks in advance of
ho election , that the constitution would bo
defeated by nt least 1,000 majority. Dovol-
pmcnts after the election proved that they
had deliberately organized nnd successfully
carried out a plan to sot asldo the verdict of
ho people. The schemers withheld the re-
urns from western counties In the Ornalm
mstofllcc , changed the flgurcs , nnd thus
nought about the defeat of the constitution
> y n fraction over a thousand votes. This
utragc on the ballot was confessed later by
one of the leaders. Had the registered will
of the voters been fairly nnd honestly
counted , it would have shown a strong
nnjority for the constitution , and spared the
tutc the expense nnd distraction of a second
contest three years later.
Tlio Federal Brigade.
The steady growth and spread Ing Influ
ence , of TUB BEE not only alarmed the
owners of political organs in the city , but
lllcd them with Ill-concealed wrath. The
Republican was then the organ of a
compact federal ring which had control of
public land surveys and n vast amount of
wtronngo. Smarting under the exposures
if THE BEE , the mercenaries sought to crush
ts power by the most unscrupulous means.
Anonymous sheets filled with scurrilous
assaults and personal abuse of the editor
were issued from the Republican ofllco and
scattered every week through the city.
Instead of injuring THE BEE , they roeruitod
supporters from all classes and advertised It
as the fee of venality in ofllcial life.
iJlackguiirdism nnd abuse having fulled , the
'edcrul brigade was enlisted for the avowed
purpose of chastising the editor nnd dis
gracing him in the eyes of the public.
During the winter of ' 71-2 they begun a sys
tematic raid on the paper by delaying und
sometimes refusing to deliver its mail and
by annoying and bulldozing outside subscrib
ers. Complaints of non-delivery of the puncr
jy postmasters became so numerous that Tins
BHU charged the pnstofllco ofllciuls with con
spiring to violate the postal laws and delib
erately destroying the papers delivered ut the
Omaha ofllce. The exposure roused the
wrath of the federal Junta and the editor was
threatened with severe bodily pain unless
relented nnd repented. Threats did not
frighten him nor chance the policy of the
paper , and n now tack was taken. They
concocted a yarn that he had violated the
postal laws and endeavored to have him in
dicted by the federal grand Jury , but the
scheme failed. THE BIE continued tno light
vigorously , while the federal ring improved
ovcry opportunity to Insult the editor and in
jure his business. Rival papers , as usual
applauded their efforts and encouraged them
wltlx fulsome praiso.
On thu 20th of December , while Mr. Ilosc-
wuter was receiving his mall In thopostoffico
lie was assaulted by the money order clerk ,
C. C. Sperry , who pretended to bo mortal
ly offended at n paragraph referring to e am
blers which appeared in Tnu BEE. In rc-ality
ho was commissioned to commit the outrage
and was rewarded for his disgraceful work
by promotion. Sperry and Deputy Post
master Yost were arrested and taken before
Police Judge Porter. Sperry was fined $20
and costs , and Yost $5 and costs. This was
the time that Yost penned the historic check
on the Omaha National bank , which read :
"Pleaso pay school fund or bearer for as
sault on a Christ-killer S20.SO-100 , and charge
my account. "
During the month of February Tim BEE
uncartlicd the theft of mail bugs , which re-
suited in the indictment of Postmaster Griffon
fen by the grand jury. Ho plead guilty to
the charge on May 31 , was lined 8100 und
costs and retired from office.
Tlio Hump liaclslnture.
The Impeachment of Governor Butler bj
the legislature in 1S71 elevated William H.
James to the governorship , and made out
own Isaao S. Hascall next In the order ol
succession. James was u veritable pudding
for the Jobbers and cornoiate sclicmors ,
Ho was haoitually dissipated , and his orgies
at the capital bccamo a public scandal and
gave James the title of tbo "In
cbrlato governor. " Stuto affair :
went from bud to worse. TUB BEI
exposed nnd denounced lha disgraceful con
duct of the governor , whlch.sprcad to othoi
departments of the government , and for i
tlino threatened to wreck the stuto. Jiime :
did not confine himself to periodical whisk :
baths. He went further and stretched hi :
power for the benefit of corporations. Anioni
other nets which make up his unenviable ca
rccr was u donation of 100,000 acres of stab
land to the Brownvillo ft Ft. Kearney roa <
and 20,000 acres' to the Midland PncUlc
ThchO amounts wore given In addition to thi
lands gruntrd bv law. Tin ; Uii : charged hlu
with having misappropriated $5,000 of stati
funds nnd of being "knowingly guilty of th (
most damnable und corrupt acts.or having n <
mind of his own , is the ready tool of any am
every political hack whoso services an
readily secured by largo corporations for i
paltry contingency. "
Tin : BEB voiced the demand of the piiblii
for an extra session of tuo legislature , bu
James puld no attention to the clamor. Thi
proilU of the position were too great to bi
micriilccd by calling the Itglslaturo together
us that meant impeachment and loss o
power. But Ills opponents were active am
vigilant. During the temporary absence o
James from the state in the full of * 7J , I. S
Hascall asHutncd the duties of governor am
Issued u proclamation convening the Icgislu
turo on the flrst Tuesday of January , U > 72
James attempted to annul the call , but failed
The legislature assembled on the day dcslg
natcd , and organized. The legality of tii
meeting being questioned , It wus Eubmlttei
to the supreme court. A decision dcclarlni
the call Illegal was handed down by two of th
thrco Judges , and Jnracs wus loft to complct
his term undisturbed.
Tlio Kourt Ilouso Klnu.
The Douglas county campaign of 1873 wa
short , sharp nnd declslvo , und one of th
hottest local buttles fought In this vicinity
The democrats had control of nil county ol
flees , and naturally schemed to continue ii
power. Tile Run attacked what wa
dubbed the "Kourt House Klan , " and roadi
the campaign so lively and interesting be
fore tno conventions were hold that the clera
ocrats resorted to the subterfuge of ' 'a pee
plo's convention. " The managers of th
convention wore such veterans as Ur. Miller
lor , Tom Riley , Charley Connoyer. Johi
Rush , W. H. ljums and the smooth Churlo.
Byrne , and < x microscope was not necessar ,
to determine the political complexion of th
ticket. The campaign turned mainly 01
Grcbo , who was seeking n third term. Hi
republican opponent was Alfred Burley
The opposition to third term wus not li
lUelf sufficient to defeat Grebe , a stroni
and popular man , but numerous sldo issue
were sprung , which created discords in th
rauks of the klun. His election and that o
the entire ticket scorned assured , when , 01
the eve of the election , the following sensa
tlonal dispatch was published In TUB Bui : ;
OMAHA , Oct. 13-8. H. II. Clark or ! T. U Kin :
tiAll , jjenvor : ' .Hie vote of ttie ubops will i/rol
nbly dvclda the election , and it < * uV.il u will g
uljj auulutt ( Jiolia far MbartO. llo Imn eerva.
Archlo Richmond , the Motor of the
First Frost ? , 1871-2.
the roiul better than any sheriff wo have over
had. Qm'l i/nuyire ti IMs wilt ) I think jou
bhould If possible. If yo-i agree. Instruct proper
parties to Rive him the vote anil send mo a copy
of your telegram. A. J. I'om.CTuN.
The publication of this dispatch exploded
lllte = bc lb'lh"l ! m mo ! = = at fao.klan. .
The attempt to herd .tho rallroud employes
nnd vote them like so many cattle was vigor
ously resented nt the polls , nnd Grebe went
down In defeat with the rest of the bogus
"people's ticket. " It was n great victory for
Tun BIG : nnd n crushing defeat for the
Kourt House Klan ,
Narrow Gntico Bontls.
In 1ST5 the commercial development of
Omaha reached a stupe requiring new nve-
nurs of tr.ido. Additional railroad facilities
were necessary for the expansion of business.
Owing to the railroad situation the rich ad
joining counties nnd the southwest were
practically shut out from trading with
Omaha. After considerable discussion nnd
agitation , merchants mid capitalists deter
mined to break down the barriers. A com
pany was formed to build a narrow gnugo
inllroad through Douglas andSuunucrscouu-
to the southwest. The oQIccrs of the com
pany were Sam Rogora , president ; Frank
Murphy , vice president ; J. L. Lovett , secre
tary. S. S. Culdwell and Dr. Lowe wcro
members of the directory. These mon in
spired public cor.lldcnco in the movement ,
nnd the people along the proposed line 'ex
pressed n readiness to assist In the building
of the road. The quota allotted to Douglas
county was ? 150OJO , nnd the question of issu
ing bonds for that amount was submitted to
the voters nt an election held In November.
THU BCE was particularly nctivo in support
of the proposition , being convinced that great
benefits would accrue to the city from the
building of the road. The Herald nnd Re
publican at llrst supported the proposition ,
but were bought over Dy Union Pacific Job
work. TUB BEE was thus left single handed
In the contest. For a time there was no
active opposition to the bonds , but toward
the close-of the campaign tbo railroad strik
ers began an organized movement. Word
wont forth from the Union Pacific head
quarters that the bonds must bo defeated ,
and a largo gang of political worucrs was
turned loose to curry out the dictum.
Jay Gould scut a dispatch threatening to
remove the machine shops from Omaha if
the people dared to vote ono dollar to a rival
railroad. This dispatch was given prominence
Dy the subsidized organs. It had the effect
of frightening the tenderfoot. The election
was u desperate struirglo between the people
for commercial freedom against Jay Gould
and the Union Pacific. Senator Hitchcock
nnd the federal brigade , the Herald and its
eating houses , the Republican and its rail
road printing , the Union Pacific National
bank and the smelting wonts. Notwith-
standidg the opposition of these united inter
ests , the bonds carried in the city by u ma
jority of 45 votes , but were defeated in the
country precincts by 230 votes.
Reviewing the result , of the election Tun
BEB said ; "In the twelve years during
which wo have resided in Om.thii , wo have
witnessed many an election , but never has
there been an election in Omaha where the
engines of coercion and Intimidation wcro
moro remorsely brought to bear upon the
men who depend for their livelihood upon
their daily labor. The men who have con
tributed toward this subjugation of an enter
prising city , must hang their heads in shame
at the infamous means by which this result
was brought ubout. "
Tlio Hitchcock Campaign.
The election of Phineas W. Hichcock to
the United States senate in 1871. was the be
ginning of n reign of ofllce-brokerago never
equalled before or since In Nebraska. Every
political dead-beat , every notorious ward-
worker and bulldozer was. foisted upon the
people with the solo object of dominating
stnlo politics. Ilio federal brigade bccamo
so obnoxious to the people that years before
Hitchcock's term expired there was a strong
current of opposition to his re-election. The
campaign of 1870 was therefore , fought
strictly on the lines of , Hitchcock and arti-
Hitchcock. Conventions wcro manipulaccd
by the Huscalls , the Cunninghams , the Van-
dervoorts , the Yosts , nnd others , of that
stripe , aided financially nnd otherwise by
the strikers of Juy Gould throughout the
stnto , nnd they were'no inconsiderable"
ber. In fact Gould made a personal
pilgrimage to the stuto in September to aid
and encourage tbo Hitchcock forces by sup-
plyiiiK the sinews of war. Ho openly boasted
that Hitchcock was a friend of the road , and
that ho should bo supported by all the North
Platte people. The attempt to stir up a fac
tional war ootweon the geographical divisions
of the state was n deep laid scheme to split
the republican party Into fragrauts , and ride
the democrats to power over the ruins.
But it failed. Although the federal
brigade managed to divide the party
in several counties , the rank and
file stood by their colors nnd contributed
mightily to the overwhelming defeat of the
corruptionists. In Douglas county there-
wcro two republican legislative tickets In
the Held , the anti-Hitchcock supported by
THE BEE and thu Hitchcock forces cham
pioned by the Republican. The election was
n walk-awuy for the democrats.
Thu result of the election throughout the
state soon demonstrated that Hitchcock
could not bo re-elected by any combination
within his own party. Ho lacked the neces
sary number of votes , nnd cast about among
the democrats for supporters. The friendly
raise showered upon him from time to time
E y the Herald created a suspicion that there
was a deep design beneath the laudatory ed
itorials. Whllo the country was wracked
by the doubtful issue of the national elec
tion , the rumor was spread throughout the
state that the democrats were on a "stll
hunt" for nn electoral vote. THE BEE voiced
the general belief that n bargain had been
entered Into by which Hitchcock was to re
ceive sufficient democratic ! votes to elect ,
and In return ho would transfer ono elec
toral vote from the republican to the demo
cratlo column. That such a conspiracy was
contemplated was given tbo color of truth
fulness by the Herald's frequent asser
tion that if Tilden was countec
out In the southern states , "one
honest republican would bo found In the
north to rebuke the infamy of his party" by
voting for Tlldcu nnd Hcndrlcks. This
scheme was nipped In the bud by Governor
Garbcr. The legislature was convened In
extraordinary session , December 6 , the vote
of the state ccuvasscd and the result de
clared.
The senatorial contest of 1877 was an un
usually lively ono. Hitchcock failed to
brine about the caucus , and stood no chance
of election without tbo assistance of the
democrats , It was known that a combination
of sixteen democrats had been formed U
veto for him , the moment ho mustorot
the necessary number of republican votes ,
but the time cauio and passed and the demo
crats did not deliver the goods. Brown and
Ambrose in the senate and Crelghton in the
house stood ready at any moment to de
nounce the bargain tiad it materialized , uut
the wholesome fear of public exposure un
doubtedly prevented It.
Hitchcock's desperation took a now and
startling turn before the flrst Joint ballot
was oust. His private secretary , tlio notor
ious Dick Adams , secured a number of lot
tcrs and telegrams from a Burlington clerk
named Flannigau , purporting to come from
President Perkins , Tbcso letters authorized
"Drlggs and Saunders to draw on the B. & M
treasury for nil the money necessary to con
duct their campaign. Hitchcock nxpoctod
by those letters to demolish all opposition ,
hut the legislature promptly ordered
an Investigation and exposed the
villainy. The loiters proved to be
rank forgeries , for which Hitclicocli
puld 600. A reaction sot In. and before
Hitchcock could recover , Alvin Saunders was
triumphantly elected on the fourth day re
cclvlng S3 votes , Tbo election was pro
by TUB BEB "A triumph of the
right , " and occasioned great rejoicing
throucUout the state. In OinubalUumma
ONE OP THE TWO WEB PERFECTING PRESSE3 NOW TJ3ED BY THE BEE.
lions , fireworks nnd serenading bands gave
vent to the general feeling of relief which
v.is felt over the downfall of thu Hitchcock
dynasty. Speaking of the victory , THE BEE
Btiid :
"Tho people of Nebraska , and the friends
of honest government all over tlio union , u'o
obo congratulated on the culmination of the
; reat political contest that has resulted in
ho election of Alvm Saunders to the United
states sciiuto. No event in the history of
.his . commonwealth has boon fraught with
nero momontuous consequences. The cloc-
, lon of Alvin Saundcrs is not , ns it may
leom. a moro factional or personal victory.
! t Is the triumph of Justice over-lawlessness ,
of truth ever falsehood , nnd or honesty over
corruption.
U. I1 , nrliltro Tolli.
No battle ever fought in the interest of the
: iroducurs of the state attracted such wido-
jprc.id attention und support ns that waged
jy Tun BEE ugamst the exorbitant tolls ex
acted by the Union Pacific railroad at the
gateway to Omaha , ever the Missouri river
bridge.
The bridge was n veritable pold mine for
the company. Its original cost was less than
$3,000OOJ. Ten dollars was charged for car
loads and 50 cents for every passenger. In
1878 the bridge was earning § 3,500 per day or
$1,277,500 per annum , thus yieldlnir
annual dividends of nearly ICO cents
on the dollar. The rates wcro double these
of any bridge over the Missouri nnd Missis
sippi rivers. It operated as an ouibargo not
only on the commerce of Omaha , but was nn
onerous tax on every bushel of grain , every
barrel of flour and every head of stock ex
ported from Nebraska. The bridge monopoly
ely bccamo nn important ( &suo in Nebraska-
The management of the * rmlroad , from the
highest ofllcer to the loXvest section boss ,
wus ono vast political maplifac. Every fore
man was award worker , nd e very attorney ,
bureau master nnd superintendent nn adept
in political wire pulling , . .Shippers were
coerced , und ourod not uttern word of com
plaint in public lest their /business / suffer.
Others who enjoyed special1 privileges were
active and outspoken wlv&c.ites of the
monopoly. Under these jlis couraging condi
tions. Tun BEI : , backed by ajitrorig und un
flinching action of tbo .republican party ,
kept up the agitation in favor of reduced
tolls.
In the fall of 1878 at be republican state
convention of that year resolutions were in
troduced by Mr. ' Roaowfttiir denouncing the
robbery und pledR m the parly , to use every
means to bring uboutj.nr reduction of what
wus declared to bo "unlawful , unjust und
oppressive tolls. " The icsolutlons expressed
the sentiment of a vast nmiorlty of the con
vention , but by flllibustering tactics the rail
road attorneys staved oil a vole until a large
number of the delegates had loft for homo ,
and dotcated them by a resolution to adjourn.
In Octooor of tha same year n muss con
vention wus held in Omaha in response to a
cull signed by forty leading citizens , beaded
by Herman Kountze nnd W. A. Pnxton. The
purpose of the convention was set forth in
the call as follows :
"In view of the pernicious Influence of cor
porate capital in the various political conven
tions , and dooming the interests ol the city ,
county and state paramount to all political
considerations ) , wo have decided to support an
independent Icslslntivo ticket. "
Judge G. W. Doano presided and made the
principal speech , followed by E. Rosovvuter
and W. J. Conncll. The convention en
dorsed several of the democratic
nominees and completed the ticket
with independent republicans. Tlio
democrats were clectcd'by ' an overwhelming
majority.
The county campaign was but a prelim
inary skirmish in the great anti-monopoly
war then spreading throughout the country ,
but. it demonstrated thut 1.500 volunteers
hud enlisted in Omaha on ten days' notice.
The great political power of the Union
Pacific , with all its resources , was unnblo to
check the growth of manhood and independ
ence which proclaimed thut there would bo
no truce ns long as the bridge extortion con
tinued.
As soon as the members of the legislature
wcro definitely known , the railroads bepan
the usual distribution of bribes in tbo form
of passes. Tlio Union Pacific was particu
larly generous. Every counting member
was favored with an annual pass for himself
und family between Omaha nnd Ogdcn ,
while the Burlington limited its favors to
passes ever lines centering in Lincoln. Both
companies pooled their Issues aguinst the
common enemy , for n reduction of rules on
the Union Pacific bridge meant a similar
curtailment of profits on the Pluttsinouth
bridge when completed. The effect of these
favors was felt at the organization of the
legislature. The railroad committees of both
houses were pacued In the interest of the
monopolies , but nn actlvo and vigilant
minority succeeded in bringing the question
squarely before the sonata and placing the
members on record. A resolution was In
troduced endorsing the bill then pendlug in
congress limiting the tolls on the bridge. It
was championed by Senators Van Wyclc
nnd C. H. Urown , nnd opposed by Senators
Howe nnd Blrklmusor. The wily support
ers of the corporations Insisted thut a reduc
tion of the tolls on the Omaha bridge would
force the company to raise rates on the main
line und while Omaha'would ' bo benefltted ,
the rcstof the state wo'uld Uo damaged. It
was a tricky und effectivb'argument ' and fur
nished the wavering country members an
excuse for betraying the interests of the
state. The resolution wiis defeated.
There- an Interesting chapter of history
connected with the bill to Which the resolu
tion referred. The bill wus'drafted nnd in
troduced in the house by".Congressman Fin-
ley , an independent democrat of Ohio. Ho
had made a trip to Omalla 'and ' tbo west in
1877 nnd become famlllilr with the exactions
practiced by the Union Pacific under color
of law , and cheerfully volunteered his ser
vices in securing rclietf' ' fdr the peoplo. A
stronc anti-monopoly sentiment then pre
vailed In the lower house , which Insured the
passage of the bill. It 'was referred to a
sub-committee of the committee on com ,
merco , of which Dr. Follony an antimonopoly
ely democrat from Georgia/ / ' was chairman ,
Tbo bill was loosely drrtwn'nnel did not fully
cover the evils It Intended to remedy , und
was plvon to Mr. Rosewater , who represent
ed a commlttoeo of Omaha citizens , for re
vision. Meanwhile , several members of the
senate wore approached and their views so
licited. Senator Hooth , of Califor
nia , who was elected governor nnd
then senator as a representative of tbo
antl-mrmopollsts of the coast was lukewarm
and half hearted , and gave little encourage
ment to the measure , while Senator Thur-
man cheerfully promised to support It if ,
after examination , ho found it constitutional ,
Mr. Rosewater returned to Omaha with the
bill , but soon found that the Hwyers and
bankers who had taken a loading part in tha
movement , hud relaxed their efforts and
practically abandoned the flgut , and the bill
was dropped.
On the 1st of January , 1880 , the railroad
company announced , with a great flourish , a
reduction of flfty per cent , In bridge tolls ,
but it turned out to bo a sop thrown to the
city , oa it merely reduced the rate on local
passenger trafflo from flfty to twenty-five
cents.
> Tha steady growth of anti-monopoly
principles throughout the state , culminating
in the election of Senator Van W.yck in IbSl ,
was a warning which the corporations hccaed
by n reduction of excessive tolls nil round ,
In waglnp this war Tfin BEU tmUlod not only
for Omaha but Nebraska nnd the west , while
the Herald und Republican defended every
move nnd every imposition which crippled
the industrial Interests of uvory section of
the state.
Thu Anti-Monopoly Movement.
The irrepressible conflict bet ween organized
capital nnd disorganized labor , between the
producers of the country nnd avarice of rail
road corporations , which spread throughout
the west In the last decade , wus an uprising
of the oppi esscd npntnst political and indus
trial dictators. The commercial highways
of tlio country had consolidated , competition
was destroyed , nnd the products and indus
tries of the nation placed under tribute by a
dozen men. Their power became ho great ,
their greed so appalling , nnd their exactions
so burdensome that the life blood of western
producers was sapped and drained to a
dangerous point. Enormous dividends wcro
paid on millions of water stock. The profits
of tno tellers were absorbed In getting their
produce to market , and many of the neces
saries of life were almost beyond the reach
of peoulo of moderate means. The railroad
corporations did not stop there. They In
vaded every department of the government ,
became offensively prominent In all elections ,
infested the national and state capitals ,
bribed .legislators , made and unmade laws nt
will , nnd substituted machine politicians for
statesmen.
The pranpo movement of the early seven
ties was the flrst practical rebellion against
railroad tyrany. It was successful in dem
onstrating the benefits of organization
among farmers nnd accomplished much good
in Io\vi , Illinois nnd surrounding states.
The great fight inaugurated und carried on
by THE BEE against the Union Pacific bridge
tolls and intolerable intorfcrancc of that cor
poration in political affairs , was the
beginning of the anti monopoly movement in
Nebraska. The desperate struggles ngalnst
the federal brigades , the Hitchcock regime ,
nnd the wholesale prostitution of the ballot
by monopoly mercenaries , paved the way to
political freedom and forced the party in
power to respect the will of the people.
During the campaign of ISiO the anti
monopolists , though unorganised , hold the
balance of power and forced the i.ssuo in
nearly all senatorial and representative
dibtricts. In Douglas county 1,000 republi
cans rebelled ngalnst the legislative ticket
foisted on the party by a packed railroad
convention. They raised the standard of
revolt against monopoly domination and sup
ported ovcry man , regardless of politics ,
who pledged himself to stand by the people.
The result was a complete rout of the cohorts
of Jav Gould , Thurston , Hanlon nnd Cou-
tant. Merchants , farmers and workingmcn
rallied in every section of the county uutl
after a campaign of three days overthrow
the enemy.
The legislature of 1S31 was a strone anti
monopoly body. Control of the lower house
was in the hands of producers , and imoh
beneficial legislation resulted. The most
important was the bill framed by Jncipo
Doano of Omaha , which the opposition fa
cetiously dubbed the "Doano tub law. " It
prohibited secret rates , rebates , draw backs
and other privileges granted to the favored
few ; provided equal rates and service
for all ; limited charces to the
tariffs hi force in November ,
18SO , nnd imposed severe penalties for viola
tion of the act. Another bill was passed re
quiring all railroads doing business in the
state to incorporate under the laws of the
state , to maintain general ofllces in some
county throuuh which the road ran , and keep
books showing the amount of business ilono ,
names and residence of stockholders und the
transfers of the same.
The defeat of Senator Paddock nnd the
election of General C. H. Van Wyck was the
greatest triumph of anti-monopoly In the
state. After n desperate hand to hand con
flict , lasting flvo days , the hosts of monopoly
were routed. It was a victory of popular
self-government , nnd marked an epoch In the
political history of Nebraska. It was the
second great senatorial triumph of the people
ple , for which THE BUB Justly claims n largo
share of the credit. For nearly ten years it
had fought the good flpht almost single
handed , it had overcome the most malignant
opposition , placed in the constitution a pro
vision giving voters the right to express u
preference for United States senator , con
tributed to thu downfall of the federal brigade -
ado in 1S77 , and was largely instrumental in
giving monopoly a death blo'.v in 1831 ,
The arrogance and political infamies of the
corporations , tholr dotormlnlation to rule or
ruin , tbo discriminations which built up
favored towns at the expense of others ,
forced the restrictive measures of
which the companies now complain.
They overreached themselves in grasping
all the tralllc would bear , and forced the
people to seek redress In national and state
legislation. The intor-stuto commerce act ,
tho/rutlroad commissions in various states ,
and the smashing of pools , have materially
curbed corporate rapacity and brought their
power within reasonable bounds ,
The principles of anti-monopoly have
taken deep root In Nebraska. Slnco the
flrst convention was hold in January , Ib81 ,
they secured the approval and support of a
majority of the people , ovcry succeeding
year witnessed an improvement in the
character of public ofllciuls ; corporate tools
were gradually retired , and the pnblio ser
vice placed boyoud the malign Influence of
monopolies. The dofent of Senator Van
Wyok In 1SS7 was not n defeat of anti-mono
polists. It was a triumph of treachery , a
base betrayal of pledges nnd promises , und
a cowardly surrender to king caucus.
The Lesson of 1 8U.
The success whlcti crowned the efforts of
the anti-monopolists in 18M ) cave strength
and confidence to the movement. Emboldcnqd
by the election of a pronounced loader in
Senator Van Wyck , the rank and file turned
their attention to the notorious tools of
monopoly in and out of office.
When E. K. Valentino sprang into the
congressional brogans of lion , Frank Welch
In 1878. TUB BEE gave him hearty support.
Ho bad scarcely warmed a seat In congresn
when ho displayed his bent for corporate
favor. Ho bccamo the subservient tool of
monopolies , anil rarely missed an opportun
ity to do tholr bidding. In
1880 THE BEE demanded his with
drawal from the race , but tbo rail *
manipulators of the republican convention ,
backed by the remnants of tbo federal brigade -
ado , secured his nomination. There was no
organized opposition to his election. Never
theless ho received a rebuke by falling be
hind his ticket 8,000 votes.
The republican party paid no attention to
this mild warning. Trusting to a largo ma
jority to elect any tool receiving the nomina
tion , tbo managers of the machine deliber
ately Invited party revolt in 1883. The In
crease of the congressional delegation and
the division of the stuto into throe districts ,
precipitated a vigorous campaign , In which
tbo organized Independent anti-monopoly
party was au active factor , The opposition
turned ( heir heaviest guns on Valentino in
the First district , Laird ia the Second ,
C. H. Gore , for regent , Tnnrt t-orun Clark ,
republican nindldala for treasurer. The
convention which nominated Vnlimtlno wus
packed by ofllco holders nnd railroad strikers.
Their high handed methods nnd outrageous
trickery resulted in n division und two con
ventions. The Independents nominated M.
1C. Turner , of Columbus. The democratic
candldatowasW.il. Mungcr , of Fremont.
In the Second district , the nomination of
.Lalnl. n Burlington attorney , naturally
aroused the anti-monopoly sentiment which
was particularly strong In thatsection. .
Tins feeling crystallized in the nomination
of Dr. S. V. Mooro. of York , while tho'
democrats selected F. A. Hnrinnn. There
wore thrco slate tickets In the field. P. D.
Sturtovuut , anti-monopoly candidate for
treasurer , was endorsed oy the democrats.
Lorau Chirk , the republican nominee , was
particularly obnoxious to the farming ele
ment. For years ho wus the favored pet of
the railroads in Boone county , enjoying spe
cial privileges and rebates for his elevator ,
and squeezing all who were forced to market
their gruln In Albion. C. H. Gero , I'dilor of
the Lincoln Journal , was foisted upon the
party as a reward for his unswerving sup
port of every species of monopoly and
knavery In the stuto.
The campaign against thcso four waged
vigorously and resulted in n signal victory
for the anti-monopolists. On a straight test
they cast 17,500 votes. Loran Clark was
defeated by n majority of 4,111 votes. Valentino
tine und Laird pulled through by the skin of
their teeth , the former by a plurality of
1.10J and the latter byj.goo. Both districts
were overwhelmingly republican. Turner
polled 7WJ : voles in the Third district , while
hundreds of republicans voted for Munger to
moro effectively rebuke the party machine.
In the Second district Monro polled 10,000
votc.1 against ltDOU ! for Laird. Gero pulled
thiough by a bare majority.
The result of the election wus a lesson to
republicans that they could not safely ignore.
thu demands of the producers and industrial
classes. Few of the stuto oflieers were
elected by majority vote , and Laird and
Vulcntina were minority representatives. It
was u revolt which brought about many re
forms nnd taught the monopoly toolt and
machine munagcrs that : i continuation of
their methods meant the wreck of a great
party. In this light Tun BEH was in the
forefront of the 1 ray , battling with 'might
and main against corporate Interference in
state and municipal affairs.
The Holly Waterworks
Few contests in the history of Omaha were
fougnt with such vigor , persistency ttuil bit-
tcrnvsi ns that against the Holly syfatem of
waterworks , during the winter of VJ-SO.
Early In the fall of ' 79 the noted Dr. Cushing -
ing , the advance agent of the Holly company ,
camped in this city and began operations. At
first ilia proposition met with considerable
fuvor , but 'I HE UEE , backed by many of the
leauinp citi/inns , insisted that no system of
water works other than gravitation would
meet the necessities of Omaha. CualiUm's '
plan wiiD direct pressure from the Bottling
basins on the rlvor front , us well as from the
treasury of the company. An exhaustive dis
cussion and investigation proved tnat direct
pressure was not suited 'to Omalip , and
the bust intellect and entorpribo of the city
combined in opposition to tlio IIoll.v fran
chise. But while discussion wuxed hot , Dr.
Gushing was actively applying direct pres
sure to tlio members of the council. With
Hascall as chief fugleman it did not require
much effort to approach and fix a majority of
thut body. Such men ns Hascull , Shannon ,
rtk-pon , Sluvon , Redman und Leeder were
open to conviction , and readily conceded the
superior advantages of the Holly system us
npllo.l ) ) to themselves. They were dined and
wined , and taken on a tour of the country
where substantial arguments were lavishly
used to seethe their r-onscimiees und strength
en their spines. For nearly six months the
issue was uncertain. The llolly crowd mub-
tcrcd eight members. An , ordinance was
passed grunting the Holly company the fran
chise , but the direct pressure crowd mot un
unexpected and unflinching opponent in
Mayor Chuso. Ills veto of the ordinance
practically defeated it , as the gang was un
nblo to muster the necessary two thirds to
ever ride the veto. Many amusing and desperate -
perato expedients wcro resoited toby the
opposition. Fritz Ricpcn , the colleague of
Barney Shannon from the Third ward was
suspected of having fired his grocery store to
sccuio u lurgu amount Insurance , Fritz was
In constant fear of arrest , and tlio opposition
encouraged it. When the question of over
riding the veto came to u vote u
detective nrrncd with a bogus warrant
was placed on Ricpcn's truck. Ho was
cornered in n room und quietly remained
tliero during the meeting in order to uvnld
arrest. During the meetings of the council
in the old Rediok opera house , the chambers
were filled with excited mon chcnrliig and
encouraging the four members who fought
the Holly crowd from first to hist , and vigor
ously hissing the boodlurs. At ono time n
lynching party was seriously considered as
the only means of ridding the city of Haf > -
call , but ronsci vatlvo counsel prevailed , and
Isaac lives to annoy the munlcipur body llko
a running sore.
The defeat of the ordinance made the ques
tion the chief Issue of the municipal cam-
palpn In April , IbSO. Gushing ostensibly i"a- "
tlrcd from the fight , but in reality ho was in
It up to his chin. The Holly company fur
nished the sinews of war , which caused the
machine politicians nnd ward bums to rally
and work the primaries. Water pipes were
brought to the city and distributed on the
principal streets for the purpose of cnnvlns-
ing the voters that the Holly people mount
business and proposed to stay. Largo gangs
of men wcro employed for the solo purpose
of working the primaries and
for their votes on election day , but
their labors were in vain. The llolly
crowd succeeded In rcnominuting mo t of
their supporters , thus forcing an Inde
pendent citizens' movement. Respectable
nnd trustwoithy citizens ivcro nominated by
the opposition nnd triumphantly elected.
The election was an exciting ono in many
wards , particularly Ilio second , whore Mr.
Ticmen was jutted apainst Hascall. The
poll was located in No. 3 engine house ,
whore the board of trade buldlng now
stands. Hascall led his own forces , while
the opposition was marshalled by lion , W.
A. Paxton , James E. Boyd , E , Rosewater
and others. During the flrst three hours the
opposition mustered two to one against Has
call and convinced him thut ho was doomed.
At 10 a. m , ho mounted n box and announced
his withdrawal from the contest. Iluscall's
retirement had a depressing effect on his fol.
lowers , resulting in their overwhelming defeat -
feat lu every ward whore the issue was
raised. Tlfoy wore burled by f-,233 votes ou |
of a total of 3,830 polled in the city ,
The (1 of oat of Cushlng and the Holly crew
was largely due to the uprising of leading
merchants and manufacturers , who vigor
ously supported Tin ; BBC'S actlvo warfare
on mercenary officials. It Inaugurated a now
era In the city government by placing muncl <
pal legislation In the hands of upright mon ,
and saved the city thousands of dollars a
year In hydrant rent. A gigantic
Bwlcdlc was nipped | n the bud , and the clt >
redeemed from the rpsp of plunderers. Ir
the following July a franchise was granted
to the Omaha waterworks company for a
system combining gravitation nnd direct
pressure , and the present magnificent works.
are the result.
The Gamp Dunij )
One of tha thrilling incidents of municipal
ilfo wus Inaugurated in Omaha in the latter
flays of February , ' 882. It is known In his
tory UR the Garni ) Dump Ca-npalcn. On the
alto of the present Burlington freight depot ,
cast of Eighth street , the com puny hud u largo
force of graders employed lovellng the bluff.
Jim Stevenson was the contractor. Ho
flooded the surrounding country with posters
offcilnpr employment to "DO men. The result
was n lurgo inllux of laborers. Stevenson.
who was merely carrying out the behest or
the Burlington manager ! : , expected to profit
by this rush , In reduced wages , but in this ho
wus disappointed. About the 1st
of March the mon struck for an
increase from $1.25 to $1,50 per day.
The demand was refused and the mon dis
charged. The Uurlingiou people then came
to the rescue und gathered up a number of
section gangs to do the work. Meanwhile
the strikers formed an organization and se
cured the active support nnd other trade and
labor organisations. Wednesday , the 8th of
March , was fixed upon for a public demon
stration in favor of the strikers. They
gathered between 2,000 and y.OOJ strong on
Jefferson squat o , formed in line , and marched
to the dump. The section hands wcro at
work nt the time , guarded by u dozen raw '
constables. The procession turned south on
Eighth street , followed by a lurgo gang of
rulUans anxious for a row. Just us the head
of the procession reached the dump , sonic of
this gang raised u cry. The constables were
assaulted und n few of them bcaton , nnd the
laborers lied to their boarding cars. The
tumult hubalded in u few minutes , nnd no
preat daniugo was done. The row , however ,
was Juicy meat , for the opponents of labor.
Their organs purposely magnified It , declared
thut rivulets ol blood wcro coursing through
the streets , and that anarchy reigned supreme
premo In Omaha. Flutulng editorials were
printed with tha evident Intention of cm-
bUtering the working people and revoking-
nn outbreak. Tin : BEE defended the
right of the laborers to peace
fully resist wage reduction and vigorously-
denounced the false cries and absurd asser
tions thut the peace of the city was in dan
ger. The night following the ra'd on the
dump , Mayor 13oyd called a meeting of citi
zens at his ofllce. Mayor Uoyd , Sheriff Mil-
lur , General Manager Holdrogo of the Bur
lington und Mr. Roscwntor were present.
The apparent purpose of the mooting was to-
petition the governor to call out the mllltla.
Mr. Roscwatcr insisted that such a move
ment wus unnecessary , that it would only
provoke further disturbance , and disgrace
Omaha In the eyes of the country. Finding-
his protests of no avail , ho withdrew. The
ma.\or and sheriff united in a tolecram to
Governor Nance , declaring thut they hud ex
hausted all their power , und requested that.
tbo Rtato militia bo ordered out to protect the
city. To justify the disgraceful act of turn
ing tha city over to the militia , the Herald.
and Republican printed the most scanduloua
fulsohoodb that the wurkingmun were
looting tlic city and unless assist
mice came niln and rapine would result.
The editors of these papers controlled
the avenues of news to the east , und sent.
their falsehoods broadcast over the country ,
doing v.u > l damage to thu nuuio and credit of
the city.
From Wednesday night till Saturday noon
lliero wus not the slightest Indication of a
disturbance. The raw troops from
the country arrived at noon Sat
urday. Fortunately the governor
induced the president to order the military
to the scene , presuming the spectacle of the
militia guarding the dump und the army
guarding the militia. Sunday morning
everything was m readiness for war. How-
it/en , commanded the approaches , . rifles and
bayonets glistened in the sunlight , and thou
sands of mon , women and children puzod
anxiously on the thrilling scene. The enemy
did not como to enliven the fuicical proceed
ing. Along toward evening , George P. Arm-
stror.ir , an old man somewhat under the
weather , stacrgcrcd over tlio dead line and
wus promptly bayonotted by u bloodthirsty
militiaman. His wound proved fatal , and.
the murderer cscapc-d. Lvnn thin crime did
not provoke a row , und the reign of terrorism
subsided in the Herald and Republican. In
n fo\v days the troops were withdrawn , leav
ing several largo bills and empty Jugs as
mementoes of the Camp Dump campaign.
U'lio CiuupiUKii of 188 1. *
The presidential campaign of 1851 did not
create much enthusiasm IP Nebraska. Givat-
< ir interest centered in the contest for state ,
olllces nnd In the congressional district1 ] .
Governor Duwcs monopoly record and polit
ical dishonesty did not uummond him to the
masses und a vigorous protest against his
rcnonilnatlun was unbended by the republi
can convention. Tlio democrats nnd In
dependents united on .1. Sterling Morton.
In the Flr.st congressional district Weaver's
unredeemed plodgcs alienated a vast num
ber of republican ! ; , and thcso with the demo
crats centered o.i Hon. C. H. Brown , of
Omaha. A similar condition of affairs ex
isted In the Second district , where the in-
fumuUH Stinking Water land nr.ib and tils
truckling to corporations discredited Laird
nmonu the peoulo. The opposition united on
Captain Stickle , THIS lieu actively sup
ported the opposition candidates , believing
that tbo best interests of tlm republican
party us well as the Interests ol' the people
demanded that unfaithful and dishonest
ofllclalH should bo effectually rebuked. The
result of the election proved Its wide Influ
ence for good. JJuwos ran behind his ticket
nearly seven thousand votes , receiving 54.53
per cent of ttio total vote , while Baino
a'.id Logan received fi73 per cent ,
Weaver was elected by a scratch , his plural
ity ever Brown being 075 in a district
which gftvo Blalno ever 5OQO majority.
Laird's ' plurality was the lowest over ro-
colved in that district , .
Tlio Defout of IIowo.
The memorial campaign of 1880 , In the
First district , which gave Nebraska Its flrst
domocratio congressman , in fresh in the
minds of all. The republican machine forced
Church IIowo upon the people. Notwith
standing the earnest protests of TUB BEH
anil thousands of republicans , Howe was
nominated amid thoblaro of brass bands and
the wild hurrahs of his strikers at Beatrice.
Ho wont up line a rocket and came down a
singed stick. Hon. John A. McShano , of
Omaha , was nominated by the democrats.
The qampalgn was short but uncommonly
lively , nnd resulted la the overwhelming de-
font of liowo. McShano curried the dUlrlut
by a majority of 7,023. , Howe curried uli
homo county by a bnro majority
while Douglas gava McShano n ma
jority of c.070 , and Also a majority
for the republican candidate for governor.
The result was a crushing Waterloo for Juy
Gould's man Friday , und nn emphatic robuka
administered by republicans to the political
vagabonds responsible for the nomination.
The revolt was not confined to city
or county. It extended from thf
Platte river to the Kansas line , and
emphatically daclarod that u republican nom
ination , witbout regard to the cunnicler anA
