, 1891-05-30
HOW CAN 1T BE SAVED

hOh Gan 1T BE "a IEDF
Edward Rosewater. editor of the
Omaha Bee before starting on a three
months trip to Europe, wrote an open
letter to the Republicans of Nebraska
which will 20 far to prove the now very
prevalent impression that the Republican
party Of the country is rapidly disintegrat-
ing. Some of the causes which are rap
IDLY bringing about the dissolution of the
Republican party are plainly indicated In
the letter, while others, equally self-syi-
dent, are not mentioned. Such facts as
are presented cannot, however, be dis
missed with q sneer. Among other things
he says: 4 deem the ousting of Boyd q
grave and ~irreparAble blunder from a par
tisan standpoint. In the first place the
Republicans we're forced to make common
cause with Democrats in favor of Boyd
at the outset OF the legislative session.
Had they done otherwise the Republican
state officers who received a plurality of
the popular vote would have been counted
out with BOYD, and the Independents
who received the minority vote would
have been counted in.
What is the situation now2 Nebraska
Is a political field shaped like a triangle.
Each side Of the triangle represents an
army of o 1000 voters. So long as the
10000 Republicans could keep the 10000
Democrats from fusing with the 10000
independents their fighting chance was
decidedly favorable. There was a fair
prospect that the 10000 voters who fell
out Of line on account of prohibition would
come back this year, and large numbers of
Union veterans who do not want to help
elect a Democratic president would vote
the national Republican ticket in 1892.
The r~allyInR center Of the Democracy was
around Boyd. he was not only the
center but the wedge that prevented any
coalition of the two armies arrayed against
the Republicans. The ousting OF Boyd at
once caused the slouRhing of Democrats
over into the independent camp, and if
this exodus carries off over twenty thous-
and Democrats, Republican success 10
1892 Is hopeless unless the party can win
back an equal number of Republicans.
What shall we do to DO saved?
This il the question that conironts us
now and which mainly inspires me to
write this letter. Let us be frank with
ourselves. Tho Republican party does
not deserve to rule Nebraska unless 1t re-
deems It's pledges aud discards the leaders
whose allegiance to the party aud devo-
ton to the peoples interests are secondary
to their allegiance to the railroads and
corporate monopolies generally.
We cannot hope to win 10 the battle
either this year or in 1892 unless we do
something tangible for the producers.
Promises will no longer be accepted as a
legal tender by our farmers and working
men.
We must either reconYene the legisls-
ture and give the people the relief we
have promised, or force the state board Of
transportation to do its duty.
Good crops will doubtless bring better
times and the fiat money and sub-treasury
craze will subside when farmers have sold
their surplus st good prices. But the de-
mand for reduced railroad rates will not
Abate until it has been complied with. An
abundant harvest will emphasize this de-
mand for lower rates more than ever. and
it is simply out OF the question to expect
any recruits from our farming people so
long as our party, which controls the
board of transportation and is responsible
for it, fails to act up to its platform prom
Uses.
For myself, l can see no salvation for
u party By any other course. aud unless
our state officers are Wiling to sacrifice
not only the party in this state but of the
nation they will heed my admoniuon.