The sun., 1896-10-18
NEsRAsKA's HOT FIGHT.
The Republican, Foil Shows Large Gains
for Them In the Country Districts.

The Repubiicans' Foil Shows Large Gains
for Them In the Country Districts.
LINCOLN. Neb., Oct 1.-THE second poll Of
Nebraska taken by the Republican State Com
mittee 10 just now being completed. No totals
are available, but tho comparisons that have
been made rs each precinct was received
indicate that there has been steady
drift toward Mckinley. and that the State is
now almost safo for him. Neither Chairman
Post nor either of the Vice Chairmen will make
any precise prediction for publication, but they
arc confident that the State will give from
5000 to 10000 plurality for the Republican
national ticket.
Hitherto the northwestern part Of the State
has been the stronghold Of Populism. Tho hot
dry winds that sweep that region each summer
have been fertile in breeding discomfort. and
the Republican managers have for years waged
warfare there without hope When the first poll
was received. and 1t was learned that this region
showed tho greatest percentage In gain. its
accuracy was seriously questioned. The second
poll however. confirms this landslide toward
sound money. and even the Sixth district, long
submerged In the slough Of wild-eyed finance.
gives strong indications of sending o sound.
money man to Congress.
The storm centre of politics IN this State has
this year been transferred from tho rural dis
Lincoln. Hastings. Beatrice, and Grand
Island. When Bryan was first NOM
mated tho railroad men. who form
large part of the voting strength Of the
cities were almost unanimous in his support.
The Federal Interference in local affairs
plank OF tho Chicago platform was what caught
them. Just eight years ago the Burlington
fought great battle with striking engineers
and flremen. and. although the railroad won.
large part of its present working force are or
ganized labor men. The strikers had the SYM
pathy of all railroad men on the other roads.
and the union feeling thus aroused was further
stimulated by the Debs rebellion in Chicago.
The Union Pacific men were for Bryan be-
cause of the fact thar two years ago Senator
Thurston. the Republican leader. then the gen.
eral attorney OF the road, attempted to secure
an order OF the Federal Court reducing their
wages without giving them an opportunity to
be heard In their own defence.
To win back these men was the work the
sound-money men found cut out for them. Free
reading rooms have been estab blished in each
city. and literature setting forth the danger to
been furnished without stint. This has had
wonderful effect.
Omaha and Lincoln are strong union" towns.
and the orRaniz lied labor vote was found at first
to be almost II unit against Mckinley. Many
of these voters, have been reached by the ex;;
posure Of Bryan's labor" record. but they still
for IN the greater part Of the doubtful vote.
The most effective work has been done among
the farmers, and 1t IL upon the results obtained
in the rural communities that the sound-money
managers base their calculations OF victory.
The figures carefully gathered show that the
Republi detection because of silver will not
be over per cent, and that 80 per cent. OF he
Democrats of the State will cast their ballots
for sound money.
The registration In the cities show an increases
over previous years. and tho Repu blican man.
ayers have revised their estimate. and now be-
lievs that fully 100000 votes will be cast In
the State. They figure that Mckinley will get
a Republican vote of 9o. 900 and n sound-money
Democratic vote OF at least 10000. From
5000 to 1000 Populists Will return. to their
/ 900 sound money Prohibitionists W III vote for
Mckinley. The outside figures give Bryan
$1,000. Populists 10000. and the straGGlers
the rest.
The danger that is feared now is that part Of
the sound money Democratic vote that wonld
otherwise be cast for Mckinley might be cast
for Palmer and Buckner under a belief that they
were not needed to insure the state to the
Republican nominee. Mr.. Bryan's steeplechase
worrying tie Republican managers ms they be-
lieye IL to be u confession that the silver cause
Is In great danger In this state. The white
metal rhOuters have been vociferously claiming
the state from the start by 10000.
The silver leaders attack the accuracy or the
Republican poll. saying that they had sent out
word TO trusty henchnen TO deceive the men
who were doing ths work. bnt in their fRurlns
the sound-InOney managers have allowed ior
this contingency.
money. The majority may be 5000, IL may be
10000: but 1t will be emphatic enough for all
mn rposes