Omaha daily bee., 1889-08-22
CONGRESSIONAL ASPIRANTS,
Politicians Fixing Their Fences in
the Second Nebraska District.
A LIST OF THE CANDIDATES
Nineteen Members OF the Salvation
Army Arrested and Jailed at
Covington-Many Burg
1aries in the State.
The Second District Vacancy.

HASTINGS, Neb., August 2i.--fSpecial to
The BEE. Tho remains of Congressman
James Laird have been resting initheir final
depository but forty-eight hours; but the
contest for his vacant seat in congress has
already commenced. Nearly every county
in the Second congressional district has its
own favored son, and the wires for the ap-
proaching campaign are being laid thick and
fast The list of candidates embraces the
names of N. V. Harlan, John M. France and
Judge Post, of York county; j. w. Dawes,
Judge Morris and Gearge II. Hastings, of
Saline county; Judge Norval, of Seward;
Senator John b. Dinsmore, of Clay; John
Jansen, of Fillmore Secretary of State Laws,
of Red Willow; G.. Il. Chaney of Webster;
Smith Caldwell, of Nuckolls; Judge Gasln.
of Harlan D. w. McNmny, of Webster.
Tee names of some of the men above men,
toned may be disposed of in a brief SEN
tence. Unless tho course of political events
takes a sudden and altogether unexpected
turn, the names of France Post, Dawes
Morris, Jansen, Caldwell, Dinsmore,
Chaney, Gaslin and McNinny may be wiped
from the slate at once. The real contest
will in all probability be a triangular one,
between Harlan, of York, Hastings, of Sa-
lne and Laws, of Red Willow. All three
of these gentlemen have strong claims upon
triCt. For six years York county has had a
candidate for the congressional nomination.
In 1854 France was pushed to the front and
kept there until the Laird men demon
strated their strength. In 1886 Post
was selected to carry the banner of
York into the convention and he, TOO, sue
cumbcd to the inevitable In 1888, nothing
daunted by the defeats of former campaigns,
York entered the lists with another candi-
date in the person of Judge Harlan; but
Withdraw n pf hn
ventioD. Now that Laird is out of the way
YORK county sees an opportunity and will do
her best to seize it. Harlan will undoubtedly
be the first choice, with Post as q conven
lent second.
Between George II. Hastings, of Saline
county, and the late Congressman Laird, the
warmest friendship existed. In the con-
vention of 1856 Mr.. Hastings was selected by
Mr.. Laird as temporary chairman, and in
1883, to Hastings was entrusted the letter of
acceptance prepared by Mr.. Laird in lieu
of the customary speech. There has long
been tacit understanding between the
friends of the two men that when Mr. Laird
was content to decline further congressional
honors, Mr.. Hastings was to be the heir of
his political estate Now that death has in
tervened it remains to be seen how strong
this bond of friendship was. Another point
which will be urged in favor of Hastings is
the fact that last fall he peremptorily de-
clined to be a candidate for attorney general
and threw his entire strength to Leese, the
peoples favorite. This action of Mr.. Hast
ings made him many friends over the dis
trict.
The western counties feel that they are
entitled to recognition, and they will come
into convention for Laws.
AT present writing the situation is rather
chaotic II. Bostwlck, chairman of the con-
gressonal central committee, has been in
New York for several months and has not
yet returned. j. w. Stark, secretary of the
committee, will hardly call that body to.
gether until he hears from Mr.. Bostwck
who is expected home every day. A great
deal depends, too, upon the decision of Pres
ident Harrison in regard to a special session
of congress. If congress is called in October
a special election will be called. II not, the
successor to Mr.. Laird will undoubtedly be
chosen at the general election in November.