Omaha daily bee., 1896-10-12
DEAF TO DAHLMAN's
ImportuninE OmcCholdcrs
Democrats Hut Little -.

ImportuninE OficchoIdcrs -rlps the
Democrats Hut Little s'Rsh.
During the early days OF the ; stcal cam
paign in this state, James Dahlman,
chairman, and Lee Herdmai .sScretary OF
the Bryan democratic state = ntral COM
mittee sent letters to all OF postmasters
and other democratic oficehoders In the
state, demanding that they contribute to
the Bryan campaign fund. No matter how
unimportant the Office was the holder was
asked TO contribute. In some instances the
demand was made that the oficehoders con
tribute large amount, while In others the
sum of 50 was made the limit.
While 1t is not known just how much
cash Messrs Dahlman and Hordman have
succeeded In collecting. II is pretty certain
that the responses have been such as to
indicate even moderate success, and in many
instances the two committeeman have sent
out the second demand, using language
that is not only insulting but threaten
ing as we'll.
NJ. c. Kimball postmaster at the little
town OF Oak. in this state seems to have
become one OF the victims OF the head OF
the Bryan democratic committee, the proof
being furnished by the correspondence that
follows:
OMAHA, Neb., Sept. %. 1S96-M C. Kim.
BAN, OAK. Ncb.: Dear Sir-We address this
y y
the leading democrats of your county, and
believing you have the success OF your
party at heart and desire to aid in the
election of Bryan and Sewal In order to
overcome the normal republican majority
IN this state, the committee must have
funds. with which to perfect a thoroug h
the national committee, and have no funds
in hand now with which to begin work,
We urge you to make an earnest effort
among your friends to raise the sum OF
s., TO be used by this committee to dcfraN
the necessary expenses OF the campaign. II
you cannot raise this sum at once will you
not guarantee the committee that the dem.
ocrats of your vicinity will contribute the
amount requested by October 10?
This committee has no enemies to punish
nnd VIII, appreciate and gratefully rcmem-
Der the kind assistance of those democrats
who come to the aid OF their parC In It,
hour Of need. Our success In the nation Is
assured Let each of us do our part tC
carry Nebraska by a large majority DC
not fail 10 write MS AT once Yours truly.
JAMES 9. pAHLMAN, Chairman.
LEE HERDMAN. Secretary
GROW MORE UNFORTUNATE
1t is quite apparent that the postmaster at
Oak did not contribute the amount de-
manded and il is also as equally appar-
ent that the silence that MIR. Kimbal main
taincd worried the parties who were trying
to raise fund by taxing the public office
holders, for a few days later the following
letter, which explains itself, was received by
the postmaster al Oak
OMAHA, Neb., Oct. L 1S9G.-M c. Kim
ball, oak, Neb.: Dear Sir-Why have you
not responded to. our former letter? In II
we imposcd no burden on you that you
should not willingly assume We only
asked you to do that which You are under
obligation to our party to perform. The
democratic party has done much for you
the time has now come wAcn you ought Ia
do something for IT,
to raise the amount required In the manner
suggested. II you cannot obtain all, do the
best YOU Cau-Scnd something.
nrnSnprtg
are improving every day. and we are con
hdent OF success, but we must have funds
pniPn. We can assure you that the demo.
cratic party will ever be grateful to those
for the emancipation Of the people from the
bondage Of plutocracv. Yours truly
lanes G. DAHLMAN, Chairman.
LEE HERDMAN, Secretary.
The second letter from Messrs Dahlman
and Herdman was more than even the post.
master at Oak could stand. and instead OF
allowing II to remain unanswered. or pass
without notice. the following was mailed
in reply:
NOT IN A MOOD TO CONTRIBUTE.
OAK, Neb.. Oct. o. 1S96-Messrs. Dahlman
and Herdman: Gcntlemen-I have not Re-
piled before. because ! did not even have
a stamp with witch % to pay the postage, let
done great deal for me Yes; will tell
You "hat II has done. In 1892 my trade was
- 100; in 1873 and up to the present time II
fects of free trade, which YOU said would
Increase our business. Tiis Is not all
lost house and lot worth $50 and after
had paid $lG0. This was because | had no
work or trade with which to secure tho
money. This is not all. ! have gone ragged
ana my Smily has not been able to 20 upon
the streets for want of clothing
After four years of misrulc and misman-
agcment II Is no wonder that you have no
money. Ii is q wonder to me however,
how any party can have the face to ask the
asst stance or the votes of the people after
such record as the democratic party has
given us.
No, gentlemen, I am so poor that could
not even vote for your party let aloue
sending you money. NJ. c. KIMBALL.
Nh. Kimball now expresses the hope that
the foregoing reply to the demands of Messrs.
Dahlman and Herdman will convince them
that he does not propose 20 contribute to the
Bryan campaign fund. and. at the same
time, he expresses the hope that in the
future he will net be annoyed by any more
insulting letters from the Bryan demo
cratic state central committee.