Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-14

TlIE q. ). DISTRICT JuDGESHIP
Ncbraska's two senator's representing
opposing political parties, publicly an
nouucc their determination to act to-
gcthrr to defeat the confirmation of the
appointment of William -. Mcllugh to
br Judge Of the United States district
court for the district of Nebraska.
There are times in politics when cX-
trcmes meet by natural gravitation.
This WAS the case in the late campaign.
when republicans and sound money
democrats made common cause against
the menace of free silver reputation
which threatened to cngulf the country
in general financial ruin. In this in
stance, however, there appears to be no
common ground for political co-opera-
tion on the part of n populist senator
and republican senator
The reasons presented by Senator Allen
in justification of his attitude are the
very arguments that would appeal most
strongly for republican support for Judge
McIIugh. Senator Allen declares In so
many words that Judge Mcllugh put
himself beyond the pale of protection
when he participated in the organization
of new party the purpose of which
was to defeat Mr.. Bryan and to elect
Mr.. Mckinley This may be very
good reason for Senator Allen to vote
against McIIugh. even though it does not
l,N niinsiNln an
independence which his party has pro-
claimed from the houSetOps. and strikes
II blow ut non partisanship on the
bench
In the face of the grounds upon which
Senator Allen bases his opposition it
becomes almost matter of honor for
republicans and especially for the friends
of President-elect Mckinley TO confirm
McIlugh in order to dispel the imputa-
tion of ingrattude and bad faith While
Mckinley failed to carry Nebraska, his
decisive victory in the nation is admitted
to be largely due to the courageous and
unfaltering opposition of the sound
money democrats to the Chicago plat
form and ticket.
Nebraska republicans are more deeply
and vitally concerned in the confirma-
ton of Judge MciIugh than Senator
ThurstOn seems to realize. The blum
dering policy pursued by the party lead
ers in 1891, when they persisted in de-
nying Governor Boyd the place to which
he had been elected by the people,
turned thousands of democrats into the
populst camp and was an important
factor in the loss of the state in 1896.
The turning down of McIlugh must
ALLEVIATE democrats who, having been
expelled by Bryan's policy of proscrip-
ton, would otherwise gravitate toward
the republican party. The rejection of
McHugh by republicans would there
fore be notice upon sound money dem
ocrats that they must make their peace
with Bryan and the populsts because
the doors of the republican party are
closed against them.
Senator Thurston's personal eXplana-
ton will scarcely pacify the democrats
or satisfy republicans. The senator's
reflections upon Judge Mcllughs quail
iications and the lofty standard of eX
perience and residence which he sets
up for the successor of Judge Dundy
will irritate rather than placate. We
believe the highest aim of Senator
Thurston to be to rcgcnerate the re-
publican party in Nebraska and re-eStab-
lish its supremacy. We believe, how
ever, that we voice the judgment of the
rank and file of the party, with the
possible exception Of few aspirants
to the position, in asserting that the
alliance between our two senators in
opposition to McIIughs confirmation
is fraught with serious and far-reach-
ing consequences and bodies no good
to the republican cause.