Evening star., 1896-08-06
NEBRASKANS ACTIVE
Party Leaders Display Unusual
Energy.
CLOSE FIGURING ON TIE RESULT
Free Silver Democrats and Popu-
lists in Harmony
REPUBLICANS HARMONIOUS

Special Correspondence OF The Evening Star
OMAHA, Neb.. August 3. 1896.
Inc week Just closed has shown extra
ordinary activity among leaders of all
parties. Never before In the political his
tory OF Nebraska, even in presidential
years. has there been greater energy mani
tested among partisans Of all political d.
visions. Republicans regarded Nebraska
reasonably safe until the nomination Of w.
J. Bryan at Chicago and-a few days later
the Endorsement Of Bryan by the popu-
list state convention which named dele
gates to the populist national convention.
These events opened the eyes of Nebraska
republicans and sound money democrats so
that lines are now being drawn for the
greatest political battle ever fought out
on Nebraska soil
The important development Of the week
was the announcement that Secretary j.
Sterling Morton would be put up by the
sound money democrats of Nebraska as a
candidate for the presidential nomination
at the hands OF the sound money democrat
ic national convention soon to be called.
However this announcement may have
been received abroad, 1t was heralded
among The old-school sourd money demo-
Gratis Of Nebraska with great satisfaction
and, In many instances, with enthusiasm.
Secretary Morton stands high in the esti-
nation OF simon pure democracy in Ne
braska. His followers believe and have
repeatedly and publicly charged that the
free silver democrats under the Bryan
banner are actually populists masquerad-
ing in democratic clothes. Mortonian de-
mocracy in Nebraska is synonymous with
sound money democracy. Last years cleo
ton developed the fact that this party can
muster from 25.OOO to 10000 votes. Since
the Chicago convention it's leaders have
been at sea. A number Of conferences have
been held, with a view to determining a
line of action in what ia termed a criSiS in
Nebraska politics. If not in national poll
tics. 1t has been the intention to issue a
manifesto to form sound money democratic
leagues and clubs to employ speakers
from abroad ard to make an organized,
stubborn fight within the democratic party
for the principles long adhered to by that
party; and especially for the doctrine of a
sound and stable currency. This pro-
nouncement however, has been delayed
awaiting advces from the east. 1t was de-
sired that whatever action might be taken
should conform to q policy in the east
mapped out by the national leaders.
This was the situation when the an
nouncement of Secretary Morton's candi-
dacy made by his friends and confiden-
the Importance of defeating Bryan in his
own state. and they have halted between
two opinions. viz: Will the sound money
democrats vote for Mckinley or will they
decline to vote for the republican nominee
In the absence of a sound money demo-
cratic nominee?
1t has come to be the sentiment of men
whose judgment rules the party in Ne
braSka that a sound money democratic
candidate for the presidency Is essential
to success In Nebraska 1t Is believed tnat
II Secretary Morton be nominated for the
presidency that his ticket or the dem J.
cratic electors named in the state will poll
not less than 3J.pOO votes. In this way, 1t
is positively asserted. a large number OF
voters could be dfssuaded from supporting
Bryan.
nhl1h we
He was waited on by many democrats here,
who urged him to permit them and their
friends to use his name In connection with
the presidential nomination. 1t Is the one
topic of conversation among his friends and
advisers, not only in Omaha, but In South
Omaha, Lincoln and Nebraska City. He
has made no public statement with regard
to the matter, but has maintained the at
titude assumed by him prior to the Chi
cago convention when his friends besought
him to stand for the presidential nomina-
tion. in case the Chicago convention could
be saved from populistic domination. He
has neither assented nor declined.
The second important political event Of
the week was a meeting Of the so-called free
silver democratic state central committee
at Lincoln Thursday evening. There was a
large attendance. and in the executive ses-
sion Nominee Bryan participated. 1t was
decided by the committee to hold a state
convention in Omaha. probably August %.
Yet the date has not been definitely fixed
The committee discussed the general plan
of campaign to state. congressional and
electoral tickets. 1t was announced that
populist leaders are in favor of giving the
| free silver democrats two places on the
populist state ticket to he nominated in the
pcpulst state convention at Hastings Au-
gust ).
| This concession is in return for the popu-
| listic Endorsement of Bryan at Grand Island
| July Is. The chairman of the committee
| was authorized to appoint committee Of
five to confer with the populist convention
later
| silver Men In Agreement.
Thus it is seen that the free silver demo-
| Gratis of Nebraska are working in perfect
harmony with the populists, not only In the
| interest of the electoral ticket but all tick
| cts to be put in the field. 1t will also be
noted that the silver democrats wisely fixed
| the date Of their convention after the popu-
| lists. There is. If reports can be relied up
| on. a large faction of malcontents within
| the populist party who are not satisfied
| with the turn affairs have taken with re-
| spect to the national ticket AS stated
| above, party leaders surrendered principle,
| prospective Office, and endangered the party
| organization when at Grand Island 1t in
| dorsed the candidacy of w. J. Bryan for the
| sake Of expediency. 1t was a part of the
| compact that free silver democrats were to
support the populist state ticket in return
| for the Bryan Endorsement This bargain
| and sale could doubtless have been carried
out In a large measure but for the attitude,
bTydH mas assumed Win respect TO his rum
ning-mate. Sewali, as against the choice Of
the national popuist convention-Tom Wat
sen.
Bryans kilograms to his friends in the
national convention have been given wide
publicity and his recent Interviews at Lin
coin reaffirming his fidelity to Sewall and
declaring that he would take no action un-
favorable 60 Sewall have created dissen-
sion In the ranks of the populists. 1t Is
openly charged that the Grand Island con-
vention was not representative OF the true
sentiment of a majority Of popuIists with
respect to the national ticket and that on
election day they will resent the action
taken.
In this position they are strengthened by
the present attitude of Mr.. Bryan. The
populists of Nebraska do not know Sewall
and what they have heard Of him does not
create a favorable impression among them
They believe and say that. inasmuch as the
populist national convention indorsed
Bryan on the grounds of expediency that
the latter with his friends are morally
bound to return the compliment and sup
port the candidacy of Tom Watson In
short. they believe Tom Watson represents
| their sentiments and their principles
wholly, while they know that Mr. Bryan
does not. On this score Bryan made a
serious blunder from the populist stand
point in announcing the other day that
there were many features Of the St Louis