Evening star., 1896-08-08
The Chances in Nebraska Nicely
Balanced.
CAREFUL DIAGNOSISOF THE SITUATION
The Candidate Comes Eastward
Full of Confidence.
FUSION PLAN COMPLETE

Mr.. Bryan might have carried Nebraska
have passed. The republicans are confident
that with the danger which came from the
first flush OF state pride and Of free silver
excitement dissipated, they are entering
the campaign on even terms with the COM
bination which is arrayed against them in
support of Mr.. Bryan's candidacy. They
are going on the theory that they simply,
have to hold a republican state for Mr..
Mckinley. while Mr.. Bryan must gain con-
verts This view is substantially correct.
While he is confronted with a sturdy and
" well-organized opposition, Mr. Bryan leaves
Nebraska temporarily with a great deal
accomplished. 1t cannot be denied that the
amalgamation of all the forces opposed to
the gold standard platform of the republi-
can party is complete. The fusion with the
Nebraska populists IS in shape to be car
ried out to the minutest detail
Fusion Arranged.
The full populist support is likely to be
given to Bryan and Sewall electors. The
arrangement on the state ticket is not i'm
portant to outside readers. 1t is enough to
know that this arrangement is satisfactory
to the mass Of the populists, and that the
middle-of-the-road men who raise their
voices iE protest receive no attention.
Means have also been found to secure the
aid of free silver republicans who may
want to support Bryan without joining
either the populist or democratic party,
which in Nebraska is practically one party,
and that a populistic one. Mr.. Bryan has
succeeded in doing in his own state by the
fusion of the various elements what ne
hopes to see done In all the western states.
Doubtless Nebraska's example will inf1u-
ence the nearby states, especially Kansas,
South Dakota. Iowa and Wyoming,
Ehile Mr.. Bryan is thus off for the scene
fr{,. ct. ly, ha oct hn
publican national campaign may be consid-
cred formally opened by the speeches of
ex-Congressman Roswell G. Horr. A host
of state speakers have been on the stump
for some time talking national politics. 1t
must be said that there is little shrinking
by any Of them from the financial issue,
though they also cling to the tarin with
marked persistency. Few of them under
take to hedge on the ST. Louis platform.
They do. however. dwell strongly the
international bimetallism pledge of that
platform. Some talk Is heard that the cue
In this matter has been received from Can
ton, the hint being that Maj. Mckinley
will bring 1t out prominently In his letter
of acceptance.
Lack of Literature.
While their stump speakers are vigorous
and aggressive, the members of the various
political committees complain of the fail
ure to supply them with literature. Their
criticisms have been directed eG Tally
against the congressional committee In
Washington and Perry Heaths literary hu-
reau at Chicago. Congressman Strobe got
a few thousand documents from the con-
gressional committee by putting in his ap-
plicaton months back. The state central
committee was unable to secure anything
either from Washington or Chicago, and 1t
contiscated Mr.. Strode's documents. Re
Gently steps have been taken toward meet
ing the demand, but the criticism Of the
national and congressional committees is
still very sharp. Free silver literature has
been extensively circulated for two years
past, and the members OF the state and
county committees think that some steps
should have been taken to supply republi-
can literature Immediately following Mai
McKinley's nomination at ST. Louis.
Republicans in Nebraska have a strong
country press, and 1t has to some extent
made up for the lack of political docu-
ments. In this respect they are better Off
than the populists and democrats, who
have not so many newspapers and who
have to rely largely upon the circulation
Of campaign documents to get their argu-
ments before the people. They are still
making extensive use of the pamphlet con-
tanning Senator Thurston's utterances on
silver. While the Senator has always con-
s'stentIy opposed free coinage at 16 to /, he
he's held a position which could hardly be
construed as In harmony with the st. Louis
platform. Most of the republican candi-
dates for Congress are better off in this
Senator ThurstCn.
The Even Chance.
A glance at the state seems to show that
1t is nearly evenly balanced. While the
tilt may be slightly toward the republi-
cans, this could be disturbed, and the ad-
vantage left to rest with the Bryanites ty
any development of silver strength. Cam
psign clubs have been formed ON both
SIDES with more rapidity than is usual in
national campaigns. This gives the leaders
on each side confidence that the boom is
gcing to be their way. On the art of the
Bryan supporters the noticeable thing is
that they don't form democratic or pcpu-
list clubs. The organizations are called
Bryan Free Silver Clubs, and the way Is
thus ma6e easy for republicans TO support
Bryan. The republicans. on their part,
also seek to leave the gates widely ajar for
the democrats who may be willing to come
In.
cities. The reports from Hastings Bea-
trice. Fremont, Nebraska City and other
thriving little commercial centers of the
state are generally favor able TO Mckinley,
while out in the country the populists hold
their own. and apparently gain recruits
In Omaha the workingmen do not seem to
be seriously infected with free silver This
is true quite generally of the employees of
the railroads, who are pretty firm for Nc
kinley and protection. Republican speak,
ers, who are criticised for insisting on
Keeping the tariff to the front, quote the
attitude Of the workingnen to justify their
course. They say that to secure the full
benefit of Bryan's record they must recall
how he promised prosperity and high
wages under free trade. Four years ago
Mr.. Bryan Travelled around with a lack
knife, tin pail and other paraohernalia
which were SO popular with the democratic
orators.
Soldiers and Germans for Mckinley,
One very positive force for Maj McKin-
ley is the old soldiers. They are very nu-
merous in Nebraska, excessively hostile to
Cleveland's administration, and many of
them aggressively against free silver They
take part in all the street corner discus
sions and they refuse to let their voices be
drowned by the curb-stone speakers who
talk for free silver. The Germans also can
be counted practically solid for Mckinley.
Those who drifted away from the repubii-
cans IN former years on prohibition have
come back partly because they are for pro-
lection, but more because of their support
OF sound money. 1t ts the admission Of Mr..
Bryan's state central committee that no
progress has yet been made in converting
the Germans to free silver. They have ar
ranged to circulate translations of "Coin''
HGrvey's books and other free silver liter
ature among the Germans but confessedly
with little hope Of gaining votes
Against these factors, which are favor
able to republican success, 1t has to be