586 



NEBRASKA. 



ing attention to the condition of the armament 

 of our fortifications and the absolute necessity 

 for immediate provision by Congress for the 

 procurement of heavy cannon. The large ex- 

 penditures required to supply the number of 

 guns for our forts is the strongest argument 

 that can be adduced for a liberal annual ap- 

 propriation for their gradual accumulation. In 

 time of war such preparations cannot be 

 made; cannon cannot be purchased in open 

 market, nor manufactured at short notice; 

 they must be the product of years of experi- 

 enced labor. 



The President recommends an appropriation 

 of $290,000 for utilizing the 1,294 ten-inch 

 Rodman smooth-bore guns by converting them 

 into 8-inch rifles capable of piercing seven 

 inches of iron. He adds : 



While convinced of the economy and necessity 

 of these conversions, the determination of the best 

 and most economical method of providing guns of 

 still larger calibre should no longer be delayed. The 

 experience of other nations, based on the new con- 

 ditions of defense brought prominently forward by 

 the introduction of iron-clads into every navy afloat, 

 demands heavier metal, and rifle-guns of not less 

 than 12 inches in calibre. These enormous masses, 

 hurling a shot of 700 pounds, can alone meet many 

 of the requirements ot the national defenses. They 

 must be provided, and experiments on a large scale 

 can alone give the data necessary for the determina- 

 tion of the question. A suitable proving-ground, 

 with all the facilities and conveniences referred to by 

 the Chief of Ordnance, with a liberal annual ap- 

 propriation, is an undoubted necessity. The guns 

 now ready for trial cannot be experimented without 

 funds, and the estimate of $250,000 for the purpose 

 is deemed reasonable, and is strongly recommended. 

 The constant appeals for legislation on the arma- 

 ment of fortifications ought no longer to be disre- 

 garded, if Congress desires in peace to prepare the 

 important material without which the future must 

 inevitably lead to disaster. This subject is sub- 

 mitted with the hope that the consideration it de- 

 serves may be given it at the present session. 



NEBRASKA. The increase in population 

 during the past two years has been unparal- 

 leled in this State : the number of inhabitants, 

 now at least 300,000, has doubled within this 

 time. New settlers have been drawn for the 

 most part toward western portions of the 

 State, attracted by the cheapness and fertility 

 of the lands. The educational and commer- 

 cial status has improved commensurately with 

 the growth of the population. The agricult- 

 ural welfare which this richly-favored country 

 has hitherto experienced has been grievously 

 disturbed in the past year by the drought and 

 the grasshopper devastation; but the ready 

 aid, which the older and more prospered com- 

 munities have extended to the ravaged dis- 

 tricts, has averted suffering, and prevented the 

 abandonment of the outer settlements. 



The Republican State Convention met at 

 Omaha, September 2d, and nominated Silas Gar- 

 ber for Governor, Lorenzo Crounse for Con- 

 gressman, Bruno Tyschuk for Secretary of 

 State, J. C. McBride for Treasurer, and Gen- 

 eral George H. Roberts for Attorney-General. 

 The following platform was adopted : 



Whereas, The Bepublican party has allied itself 

 to the liberty-loving masses of the world, and made 

 a record which invites scrutiny and challenges his- 

 tory for a parallel: 



Kesolved, 1. That honest practical labor should be 

 protected and receive its just reward. 



2. We earnestly desire that the credit of the 

 country should be firmly maintained in order that 

 the commercial and industrial interests of the coun- 

 try may not suffer injury or a fluctuation of values, 

 by impairing in any degree the confidence which 

 now prevails in regard to the circulating medium, 

 which we hope soon will be based on a metallic cur- 

 rency. 



3. We believe that banking should be free under 

 a well-guarded national system, and counsel econ- 

 omy and reform in all departments of the public 

 service, and a reduction of the public debt, as rapidly 

 as may be without imposing burdens on the indus- 

 tries of the country. 



4. We demand a rigid accountability in the dis- 

 charge of the duty of all office-holders, State or 

 national. 



5. While appreciating the advantages derived from 

 them, we demand that the railroads be subservient 

 to public good, and proclaim our determination to re- 

 sist by lawful means the efforts to extort exorbitant 

 tolls. 



6. We favor equally -imposed taxation, and demand 

 State and national legislation to compel the rail- 

 roads to pay the same proportion as individuals. 



7. We recognize the power of the General Govern- 

 ment to regulate commerce between the States, and 

 recommend that the Government establish and op- 

 erate a double-track railroad from the Missouri Eiver 

 to the Atlantic. 



8. We favor the passage of Crounse's railroad land- 

 tax bill. 



9. We favor an amendment to the Constitution of 

 the United States, providing for the election of the 

 President, Vice-President, and all other Federal offi- 

 cials, by a direct vote. 



10. We decidedly oppose a third term for the 

 President. 



11. We declare the Quaker Indian policy a failure, 

 and recommend the transfer of the management of 

 the Indians to the War Department. 



12. We favor a reapportionment of the State rep- 

 resentation through the enactment of a new consti- 

 tution, and favor the submission to a direct vote 

 of the people of the questions of prohibition, local 

 option, and license. 



13. We approve of the action of Congress in the 

 passage of the civil-rights bill, and demand its en- 

 forcement in the Southern States, but disapprove all 

 unconstitutional legislation for the cure of disorders 

 of society or evils prevailing in our land. 



The 14th and 15th invite immigration, and express 

 an unwavering determination to stand by the great 

 principles of the Eepublican party. 



The Independents held their convention at 

 Lincoln, on the 9th of September, nominating 

 J. F. Gardner for Governor, Major James W. 

 Davis for Congress, and M. Cummings for 

 State Treasurer. Their platform was as fol- 

 lows. 



1. That we, delegated representatives of the people 

 of the State of Nebraska, favorable to the organiza- 

 tion of an independent political party, laying aside 

 past differences of opinion, and earnestly uniting in 

 a common purpose to secure needed reforms in the 

 administration of public affairs, cordially unite in sub- 

 mitting these declarations : That all political power 

 is inherent in the people ; that no government is 

 worthy of preservation or should be upheld which 

 does not derive power from the consent of the gov- 

 erned by equal and ju'st laws ; that the inestima- 

 ble right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happi- 



