Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-24
THEM VOTE LIKE FREEMnN.
Nebraska TO ST. Louis
EhnuII CO LninAtrmcfcl.

Nebraska Delegates TO st. Louis
should Go uninstructcd.
NIoBRARA, Neb., March 23.-To the
Editor of The Bee: The side-play differ.
ences between Senator Thurston and Gen
eral Henderson having been adjusted, as
far, at least, as Douglas county is con-
cerned, 1 take the liberty to express my
views.
l have all along been opposed to the rec
ognition of either faction, so-called, because
there has been no apparent principle involved.
Both gentlemen have like records on all
questions uppermost in the minds of the
people, and it was a toss-up with an indif-
ference as to results. Mr.. Thurston has,
indeed, taken a bold step when he assumes
the dictatorship of the republican party of
Nebraska. l realize the great following he
has. But there is another element that
may submit, in fact, be led, but not driven,
like so many sheep.
l have never had but the best Of faith
in Governor McKinley's individual high
mindedness. His managers, however, II
Senator Chandler of New Hampshire is to
be believed (and he is not a man who goes
into print unwisely or sensationally) have
been overzealous to a point Of scandal and
far too dictatorial in urging his candidacy.
am opposed TO instructed delegations, as
a rule. The instructed delegation for Har-
rison's nomination was one of the rules
that could be broken. He had inaugurated a
policy which deserved endorsement. But
Mckinley has no higher endorsement due
him than any other candidate now before
the country. While Allison was endorsed by
his state, he had by years of service as
senator become nationally famous and so
trustworthy as to be at various conventions
mentioned in connection with the presidency.
| have, however, watched the brilliant
career of Reed with no little pride. 1t has
been many-sided and remarkable in emer-
gencies. One listens to his jokes and his
stories and watches his face beam with
good-natured lights and shades, to be by
circumstances turned into biting sarcasm.
Then, again, standing out upon his rights
and demanding obedience to them, to finally
have his successor endorse them. Then his
conservative nature asserts Itself and new
conditions arise to show the man in a greater
light than ever. The present house has not
gone from his steady control, but is doing
business. And what more s~tatesmanlike
and unselfish letter has been written by
any candidate than the one published in
The Bee of the 21st coming from Pittsburg:
WASHINGTON, D. c.. March 1S.-H: d.
have not the slightest desire to have my
name submitted in the way you suggest
While ! might have been glad of an OPP
portunity under other circumstances, under
the present l would not. In no state where
there is a candidate have any friends Of
they with my consent. l am very much
Obliged to you for the. personal kindness
involved In your suggestion and have very
pleasant memories of your previous kind
ness. Yours very truly, T. B. REED
Reed may style us as the ''omniverous
west If he likes. He has recognized its
progress and holds the liberal policies of
Blaine more closely, in my judgment. than
any other statesman now before the coun-
try.
Without annoying you with my views on
various questions, on most of which we
heartily agree, | would most wish that the
Nebraska delegation could go to st. Louis
unpledged. Otherwise, with Mr.. Thurston's
iron-clad resolutions, why hold a conven-
ton? Why not let him cast the vote and
be done with it? E. A. FRY.