Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-12
NEBRASKA IS CLOSE
Returns of Old Elections of No Use
This Year.
CITIES Seem TO FAVOR MKINLEY
But State Pride and PopuIism Have
Helped Bryan.
A VIGOROUS CAMPAIGN
S,eciai Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
OMAHA, October Z, 1896.
Ever since Nebraska was admitted to
statehood in 1857 the electoral vote has in
variably been cast for the republican ticket
For a quarter of a century the republican
managers have entered successive cam
paigns with great confidence and republi-
can nominations have, as rule, been tan
tsmount 20 election at the polls. This year,
however. conditions are widely different
and party traditions may be broken. Fusion
betW cen democrats and populists is all but
absolute, and while there are five state
tickets in the field, with a possible sixth.
there are ractically but two parties con-
testing for supremacy-the advocates of
the free coinage of silver on the one hand
and these opposed on the other.
AS matter Of fact. 1t is the entire field
against the republican state and electoral
tickets. This condition never before OBJ
tanned in a political contest in Nebraska.
On top Of this Is the powerful personal in
fuence of Nominee Bryan, resident OF
Nebraska, for whom state pride has made
many votes. Republicans must also reckon
with another strong political force, the
original silver.tes who have steadfastly do-
vocated the policy of free coinage since
the origin of the populist party in 1850.
The normal vote of this party is about
10000, made up in nearly equal parts OF
dissenters from the ranks of democrats
and republicans Well-earned victory has
been repeatedly wrested from the populists
in successive contests in the past by rea-
son of superior generalShfp among opposi-
ton leaders. This year, however, Senator
Allen, Gov. Bolcomb and Nominee Bryan
have succeeded in effecting a perfect fu-
sion of all factions as against republicans,
and their generalship is beginning to tell
in all quarters of the state. Physical con-
dtions, also. seem to favor the DopuiisIs
this year. The state never produced sucn
bountiful crops before, while prices paid
for staple farm products We're never lower
Against these terrific odds the republican
managers are compelled 10 do battle.
Former Returns of No Value.
1t is too late in the day to quote election
returns of recent years. They cannot be.
made to form any criterion looking to pos
sibie results IN November. Political man
ayers who have the fullest knowledge of
all phases of the situation in this state
realize this fact. Everything now dates
from the Chicago convention last July The
republican state central committee finds II
expedient to take successive polls OF the
doubtful districts, and no sooner Is one
completed than another is begun The hrst
poll was taken early in september and IL
gave evidence that Bryan was in the lead.
Another Is now completed. and it shows
steady gain for Mckinney This result is
of the republican managers. From this
time on the fight is to be a desperate one
Senator Thurston will devote the greater
share of his time to active management in
this state Word comes from Chicago that
Nebraska is not to be ignored by the ma
tional committee, and extraordinary efforts
are 10 be made to prevent Bryan from car
rying his home state
y poll of Omaha, just completed by local
committees. in which every vo;er was seen,
gives positive assurance that Omaha VIII
give Mckinley at least 5000 majority. Lin
CON. the state capital, will also roll up
handsome majority fer the republican NOM
inee, as will Beatrice. the home of eN-
Senator Paddock: Nebraska City, the home
of Secretary Morton. a strong advocate Of
sound money; Hastings. Plattsmouth, Grand
Island, Blair and other large interior towns.
Good Republican Organization.
The republican organization is as near
perfect as it can be. The chief drawback
is the lack of money for legitimate cam
paign work. The people of the state are
poor and under the peculiar conditions o;
the present time it is difficult to borrow
money OH any terms. The national commit
tee has done little or nothing toward de
fraying the expenses of the campaign save
furnishing literary matter for distribution
among the voters. This has accompllshe.f
much good. bat something more is impera
lively needed The committee has sent les:
than 5000 into Nebraska
cations, considered Severally or collectively
do not present a strong, aggressive politica
force in the campaign In fact, the tgn
for silver seems to have been delegated Il
the high priyates in the various country
districts. generalship having ended whe:
fusion was accomplished i'll convention
Many Bryan clubs have been organized, anc
speakers of local fame have travelled the
state, but S.lveriIeS of national proni
hence have appeared Bryan has been ap
pealed to for a few speeches before election
but he Will not listen. He believes tina
Nebraska is safe. and that he is not need
ed here.
Chairman George W. Post of the repub
Hcan state committee in the city yes
day. He expressed himself well satisfied
with the outlook, which, he says. is improV
ing every day. He confidently predicted re
publican success. He said his committe
now has the campaign thoroughly organize
In every voting precinct in the state. an
Its information Is complete and reliabl l
Indicates constant republican gains.
Candidate MacColI Confident.
Mr. j. H. MacColl, republican nominee 70
governor. stopped off between trains to con
fer with local leaders. He mas devoted mos
VI his time to middle and western countie
and Is thoroughly convinced OF republica
success In November. The sound none
sentiment Is growing every day" he sale
land voters are deserving the silver part
by hundreds L never saw such enthusiasts
in the western part of the state as has bee
everywhere apparent this year. The ;ilvC
people declare that the farmers are wit
them. but / have seen farmers come tWer.y
thirty and forty miles in their wagons
hear republican speeches. The people see.
to realize that this is ordinary crisis
and that something more than party sue
cess Is at stake. There are constant acce:
sions to our ranks. The old soldiers are a
most a unit for the republican ticket
confidently believe there is now a reput
lican majority in Nebraska, and that 1t wi
continue to grow until 1t is registered at tn
polls"
The preliminary skirmish between the 81
yer democrats and the admins ira ton dem,
Gratis has begun. Each faction claims II
right to designation on the official ballot 6
democrats. September the silverites he
q state convention and Endorsed the popui
state ticket, but its managers claim it Wa
convened pursuant to q call of the rcguIs
democratic party. October 1 the straigl
democrats held convention and put up
state ticket Now the silverites have file
protests with the secretary Of state again
putting the latter ticket on the official ba
lot The supreme court must decide tn
vital question, upon which hangs the ia
of the new national party ticket, the silv
republican state ticket and the gold dem
crat state ticket. Last June the supren
court decided a case ION all fours'' wi
this one. 1t was held that the secretary
ltare could not elect which of nurp her