The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1899-09-26
IN Mr.. RrYan's STATE.

Although Nebraska IS not as yet-though
bound % bc-onc Of the great States CT
the Union, gagged by population, wealth,
OF Industrial development, it had attained
large proportions IN the political arena
before Mr.. BTyans advent IN the role OF
Presidential candidate enhanced its i'm
pOTJance- The coming Of Bryan 10 the
front and his almost phenomenal staying
In that position have naturally given 10
the elections in his State an interest and
significance that attaches 10 political con-
tests only when they have q direct and
strong bearing on the fortunes of leaders
and their parties. The pending campaign
IN Nebraska is scarcely second 10 that in
Ohio or Kentucky, for while the result in
the Presidents State, should it happen to
80 Democratic this year, would not by
any means be regarded as an event OF
such moment as TO change the Republican
programme for 1850 and while the outcome
OF 4 factiOnal fight In Kentucky would
not necessarily project potentially into the
Presidential campaign, the defeat of fu-
sion in Nebraska might very materially
great combination that he has led with
distinguished gallantry since he emerged
from the Democratic convention of 1896
the fairly chosen and exultant leader Of
his party and its allies.
However unmindful others may be of all
this, Mr.. Bryan fully understands the sit
uation, appreciates the necessity for a
victory, and means TO spare no effort cal
culated 10 insure it, On the face of the
returns Of the election of last year II
might be reasonable to put Nebraska down
as doubtful. The Bryan combine, largely
Populist, carried the State in 1886 and
again in 1887 by plurality of about 1900
But in the election for governor in 1898
that lead fell off to 2.721, and the Repub-
licans carried the legislature. gaining
thereby a United States Senator VIII
that decline continue, or will a reaction set
IN between this date and November? is a
question on which much may depend, and
as to which there are two opinions. The
Republicans are depending on the deca-
dence Of the silver issue, on the corn crop
Of 3o00J0,OO0 bushels, that being Ne
braska's contribution to the grand total
Of 2,JOO.cO0OtO bushels, and on the general
revival Of prosperity. The party has
taken a firm stand on the currency, de-
claring for the gold standard, and giving
an emphatic Endorsement Of the national
administrators policy in the Philippines
and everywhere else.
Mr.. BRYAN, in his campaign speeches.
has little to say Of silver, nor is there any
occasion for him 10 so over the old, famil-
lar ground on which he has pledged him
self TO stand to the end Of the fight for
l6 TO l. He wisely prefers to talk about
trusts and expansion, and IT is by no
means a certainty that he will not exploit
those questions successfully. His personal
influence Will be a large factor in the
canvass. and the fact that his Presidential
candidacy might be affected by an adverse
vote will win the support Of citizens who
have large equipment of State pride and
no great outfit in the matter OF PARTISAN
ship. If We were inclined 10 indulge in
political fOrecasting We should think il
safer to predict a gain on the fusion plu-
raliJy Of last year rather than the wiping
out of the 272l and the substitution of a
Republican lead. But, at all events, the
fight is to be waged with red-hOt zeal and
on issues, or alleged issues, that are likely
10 be prominent IN 1900, 1t will attract
wide attention, and there are many judi
cious friends of Mr.. Bryan who hope it
Will AFFORD him-and that he will accept
the boOn-a good excuse for keeping out
OF the Goebel melee In Kentucky.