Omaha daily bee., 1896-06-19

OF lNt hflNNI OF ITNllNINlNN ~ NHN ifNlAT
they would veto any measure designed "a
overthrow the verdict. The dcmocrauo
candidate for governor, Hon. James p. Boyd,
was the only one Of the three who cane
out nat-footel not only against the amend-
mcut, but In opposition 20 any change ~
the existing high license system. As the
campaign approached a conclusion party
lines broke on the covCruorship. The op-
position ccnterel on Mr. Boyd for the rea-
sons above stated and lie was carried Into
tho Executive Office on the crest Of the tidal
wave which overwhelmed the amendment.
In Omaha and Douglas county the OPP
position to the amendment was practically
unanimous. One Of the great contributing
causes to this unity Of sentiment among
the voters was the publicity given by The
Bee 10 the fabrications published and elrcu-
lated by imported prohibition campaigners.
Never before was such a icluge Of false
hoods put In circulation. The business IN
tCrCsts OF the city were assailcd. Its credit
attacked and individuals singled out for
maleyalent assaults. Instead OF helping the
cause intended, the falschood united the
people against 1t. and they manifested their
indignation as well as their loyalty to the
city at the polls.
4 few DAYS after the burial Of prohibition,
the Business Mems association and other
citizens rendered a banquet TO the editor
OF The Bee as a tribute TO ms iaDors IN
bringing about the gratifying result.
HARRISON AND CROUNSE IN 1892.
The overwhelming defeat Of the prohibi-
ton amendment in 1890 carried with IL
a sharp rebuke Of the republican party
While all the party's candidates Tor state
! Offices, except the candidate for governor,
we're elected, control OF the legislative
branch Of the state government was lost.
From being the majority party IN every
election since the admission Of the state
into the union. il became q minority party.
To regain lost ground and rectify the mis-
takes of former leaders became a question
Of grave concern to republicans with Whom
the triumph Of party principles was more
important than individual success. Inc
coming presidential campaign rendered har-
mony and clean leadership exceedingly de-
sirable. To secure this end The Bee urged
that new men be brought to the front;
that the blunders and blunderers Of the past
be buried in a common grave. and that all
energies be directed toward the nomination
of a state ticket which would command the
enthusiastic support of a reunited party.
The policy advocated by The Bee received
the cordial support OF the republicans OF
Douglas county. II was y~itallzed ana az
frmed by the county convention. which, un-
der the advice of the editor OF The bee,
passed a resolution declaring for Lorenzo
Crounse for governor and commencing ms
candidacy TO the republicans Of the state.
Mr.. Crounse was at this time first assistant
secretary Of the national treasury. hls
name was not previously mentioned for the
office. but it was cordially greeted through
out the state. presaging, as 1t did, an ag-
gressiye, harmonious campaign. Inc re-
publican state convention ratified the cam
didate Of the republicans Of Douglas county
and cleared the way to party victory.
Having been chosen a member OF the rec
publican national committee for Nebraska,
party success in the state became a matter
of personal concern to Mr..
Many serious obstacles developed as the
campaign proceeded. Most dangerous or
these was the disposition OF the democrats
and populists to fuse on the ticket. This
movement was thwarted only TO develop
later in a partial fusion on the democratic
later in a partial fusion on the democratic
stratagists, seeing no hope of success IN
the state. exerted themselves in favor or
Weaver, the p~opulist, knowing that Ne
braska's eight votes would be of no con-
sequence If cast for Weaver, and might
possibly result in throwing the election OF
a president into the house of representatives,
with its democratic majority. This new
danger was pointed out 10 the republicans
by The Bee. supplemented by an energetic
personal canvass of the state by its editor.
The success Of the national ticket by the
narrow plurality of 4,093-narrow when
compared with preceding republican ma
iorities-demonstrated that the warning
came non. too soon TO prevent the success
of the democratic scheme.
The election of Mr.. Crounse by a plurality
Of IO.25S was a gratifying tribute to his
personal worth, as well as a timely demon-
stration OF what republicans can accom-
plish when rallied TO the support of honest,
Intelligent and reputable candidates
THE TURNING DOWN OF MAJORS.
The defeat Of Thomas ]. Majors, republican
candidate for governor, in 1894, is familiar
history, yet a record of the triumphs Of The
Bee would be incomplete without some
reference to that interesting political trag-
edy. Having been accidentally elected lieu
tenant governor in 1892, Mr.. Majors magni-
fed his elevation into a call 10 higher duties
and executive honors. All his energies
were bent in the direction Of the governor
ship. He canyassed the highways and by
WAYS and managed to work up a following
formidable for its hurrah. The republican
state convention assembled in Omaha that
year. Fully three ffths OF the delegates
chosen 10 that convention were pledged TO
= other candidates. Majors following was, to
all appearances, hopelessly in the minority.
But the lavish distribution Of corporation
money and passes. the purchase of proxies
and the betrayal of instructions by certain
: delegates enabled Majors to obtain what ne
/ long had coveted-the republican nomination
? for governor.
The day of the nomination Of Majors. the
editor of The Bee rendered his resignation
{ as a member of the national committee 70
the republican state convention and an
nounced his determination to oppose the
election OF the nominee. Then followed
2 a canvass remarkable for the intensity
of feeling against The Bee displayed py
Majors followers, and the frantic efforts OF
the railroad corporations 10 coerce business
men. The Majors literary bureau, with
Headquarters in Omaha, eppaIenlig Gun
! ceived the idea that Mr.. Rosewater was a
! candidate for governor and exhausted it's
5 dyspeptic energies in maligning The Bee.
No attempt was made TO refute the charges
of The Bee or dispute the accuracy OF
Majors notorious public record. II was an
attempt 10 smother the Roentgen rays OF
e truth with a shower of mud. The Bee
S spread the light of truth in every hamlet
2 In the state. II did infinitely more. IL
D rallied and united the elements opposed "a
= Majors and his methods. 1t was instru-
mental in securing the nomination OF Judge
Holcomb by the populist party, and his en-
= dorsement by the democratic state conven'
a ton, notwithstanding the efforts of the adj
ministration faction of the convention.
I With the opposition united on a clean,
I reputable and high-minded man, the task
. Of defeating Majors was simplifed. The
attempt to array the business element oil
the state against tine producers and working
men came to naught. The calamity cry
, against populism was diverting for a time
but that. too, ran short OF wind. In
y fact. Majors was defeated days before the
. vote was cast. Nothing remained but Il
4 register the public will and declare the re-
: suit. Judge Holcomb's plurality was 3,ZUZ.
S The significance of the defeat OF Majors
~. - - allNEN = q az