Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-23
NEBRASKA GAINING
Presidential Preferences Discussed at the
State Capital.
GENERAL MANDERSONS CANDIDACY
Sentiment 0rystalliaing More and More in
His Favor.
REPUBLICANS STRIVING FOR HARMONY
Personal Preferences Made Secondary to
State Pride.
THE LEADERS ARE GETTING INTO LINE
Admirers of the Man of Chicknmnuga
Declare TINT lie is Entitled to
the support of the
soldier state.
E LEADERS ARE GETTING INTO LINE

the all absorbing topic now among repub-
licans who fit in and out Of the state capitol.
Every day they come and go, each bringing
with him from his locality some small straws
of gossip to show which way the wind
blows and each returning with what he con-
siders a clearer view of the situation.
Several months ago 1t commenced to be
whispered that Nebraska was liable TO cut
more than her usual figure in the next ma
tional convention of the republican party.
1t was known by those who keep tab on polit-
ical movements in the state that Senator
Thurston had pledged the state to Nc
Kinley. 1t was also known that the Young
Mems Republican League club of the state
was being used as a machine for the manu-
facture of Mckinley sentiment officers OF
this club for several months past have been
scurrying to and fro over the state lining up
the party as rapidly as possible In the Nc
Kinley column. 1t was not only known that
all this activity in the Governor Mckinley
interest was in progress, but 1t was gen.
orally acuuiesced in by the rank and file
of the party, and by the party leaders, for
the reason that Governor Mckinley seemed
to be more in the minds Of the people than
any other man outside of this state, and 1t
was not known that Nebraska as a state
would have a candidate of her own.
While all this Mckinley sentiment was
being manufactured among the people Gen.
eral Manderson was every day receiving
letters from men high up in national affairs,
and many Of the leading newspapers Of the
east were commenting upon him favoraby
as available presidential timber. These let
terra to General Manderson and these favor
In, thn oS,tn
not new thing to him, and for several
months they produced no perceptibe effect
upon his cool and well-balanced mind, How
ever, the presidential situation in the east
had so shaped itself of late that to friends
Of General Manderson there seemed to grow
out Of the situation a promise of more than
mere compliments, and he seems to have
made up his mind that the chances are good
for his nomination. Had the people OF Me-
bra9ka realized all these past months that
General Henderson was likely to become
candidate they would no doubt have held
themselves in readiness to render him all
possible assistance for the reason that Ne
braska people know General Henderson to be
worthy of all these high aspirations, and for
the further reason that no state or COM
munity of people can afford to treat lightly
so high a compliment to their locality.
BARGAIN ALLEGED TO EXIST.
Had Nebraska people been more fully
advised of the Manderson sentiment In the
east they would no doubt have withheld
their commitment TO the Mckinley cause.
But now the Mckinley sentiment, having
permented the state, this sudden announce
ment of General Mandersons candidacy
makes a sharp turn and produces no little
commotion between the Manderson and Nc
Kinley factions Since the meeting OF the
republican state central committee a week
ago and the Mckinley rally at Lincoln three
days ago. the new turn of affairs has become
the subject Of general gossip, not only at the
state capital, but throughout the state. This
gossip, as one hears 1t from politicians and
from many who are not politicians, develops
some things that are pleasant and some
things that are not pleasant to hear from
a republican standpoint. There is criticism
from both sides. The young men criticso
the unwarranted use Of the Young Mems
Republican State league. Some of them
openly charge the president OF this league
with using his position In an unwarranted
activity for Mckinley, and hint that there
must have been a bargain with the presi-
dent Of this league, as well as with Senator
Thurston.
This bargain feature OF the Mckinley bus
mess Is not kindly received by the many as
bargains of this kind generally provide for
the few and leave the many out. There Is
also criticism against Senator Thurston for
preauming to speak for the entire state. Mr..
ThLrston and his friends have aroused good
deal Of criticism by their efforts to make
General Manderson's candidacy appear as
insincere and not in good faith, 1t is asked
by the Manderson followers: what right
has Senator ThurstOn or any one else to
charge insincerity to General Henderson?
In the twelve years In which he represented
this state In Washington, he was never be-
fore. either at home or abroad. charged with
inslncerity or double dealing"
OPPOSITION TO MKINLEY.
There is now and then a Reed man or an
Allison man who is ready to say that tho
Mckinley boom In Nebraska has been
crowded with unseemly haste. While these
Allison and Reed men recognize that they
are in the minority In this state, stll they
declare that they have some rights that
the majority ought to respect, and that the
party, as whole in this state, would be in
a healthier and more vigorous condition to
Join In the general cause after the st. Louis
convention IL the Mckinley men were more
moderate and less dictatora In their can.
vass.
On the other hand the Mckinley men say
that his friends are In the majority and that
the arrangements have already been made
by Mr.. Thurston and others, and that the
Allison and Reed men being few in numbeR
have nothing to do but to quietly acquiesca
in the will OF the majority.
II is also asserted by Mr.. Thurston and
his coworkers that the time for bringing Out
presidential candidates had already passed
long before General Manderson made up his
m.nd to become a candidate and that the
Mardorson candidacy now at this late day IL
in default ~
Since the two meetings before referred to
It is noticeable that strong reaction v